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Collagen is widely considered one of the most important factors for keeping signs of aging at bay. Producing enough collagen has been said to retain elasticity in your skin and reduce sagging and drooping while also minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well. A naturally occurring protein in your body, collagen can also be built up through the topical application of a retinol or bakuchiol serum.
But how much impact can collagen really have on your skin, particularly in an anti aging function? We checked in with dermatologist S. Tyler Hollmig, M.D, Dr. Jeannette Graf, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and Elle MacLeman, Skincare Biochemist at The Derm Review to determine the true capabilities of collagen on the skin, and this is what they had to say.
First and foremost, collagen is certainly vital for maintaining hydration in the surface of your skin which can help to create the appearance of a youthful glow. This protein does have an impact on anti-aging in the skin, but the jury is still out as to how much topical versus consumed collagen can impact your complexion. However, eating collagen rich foods and using retinol products have been proven in studies to give your skin a necessary boost, especially as you grow older. From a topical standpoint, your retinol product will seep into the skin, causing changes at the dermal level, or second layer of skin.
“Once retinol reaches the middle layer of skin, free radicals are eliminated by stimulating collagen and elastin production. This causes the skin to plump,” explains Hollmig. “As a result, enlarged pores, wrinkles and fine lines become less visible. What's more, retinol will exfoliate the skin's surface which refines tone and texture.”
However, you cannot expect retinol to completely transform your skin if existing wrinkles are deep-set, and it’s best to start a collagen production routine earlier in life before the years have done damage on your skin. “As we age, the type and amount of collagen changes. Sun damage and other external factors thin the skin, causing fine wrinkles and textural changes. Improving the growth of collagen is thought to be important for maintaining youthful texture,” notes Hollmig.
With this, supporting your skincare routine by eating collagen rich foods can also help with anti-aging for better results. “Eating collagen-rich foods including beef, chicken skin, pork skin and fish besides foods that contain gelatin can help the body produce collagen naturally,” suggests MacLeman. “For vegans and vegetarians, try to eat more collagen-boosting foods like berries, peppers, carrots and tomatoes. The difference is this is a way of boosting your own body's collagen, not adding more to your diet.”
Ultimately it is the hydrating benefits of collagen which can create the most change in your skin, allowing you to appear healthy and awake without your complexion dulling with age. “Eating collagen-rich food or taking collagen supplements can benefit the skin, although it’s not as if that collagen you’re ingesting goes directly from your stomach into your skin,” notes Graf. “But it benefits the body as a whole, including your joints, and being that your skin is your body’s biggest organ, it reflects your healthier body.”
The reality is that there is no cure-all to aging and while consuming more collagen can help to make the process smoother, it cannot entirely keep your age from showing on your skin. At the end of the day a healthy and balanced diet rich in protein as well as a protective skincare routine with SPF and retinol is going to be your best bet for protection against aging for a hydrated complexion with lesser wrinkles.
Collagen breakdown can stem from a number of factors from sun damage to aging, but it is essential to maintain a diet and skincare routine that will help naturally bolster collagen production, even for subtle results. It may not erase deep wrinkles and bring you back the complexion of your 20’s, but starting young or integrating retinol and collagen-rich foods whenever possible will ultimately preserve your skin down the line. Skincare also ties into getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water, so creating a holistic approach to your wellbeing will be your best bet for smoother, more hydrated skin for years to come.
