Collagen is crucial to supple skin. The
wrinkle-preventing protein that naturally occurs in our bodies keeps
skin plump and youthful. Responsible for smoothing fine lines and
wrinkles, it's the skin's structural net, which makes it resilient,
strong and elastic. It's safe to say we like it. What we don't like is that collagen depletes after the age of 20. Yep, TWENTY.
Veteran
dermatologist, Dr Murad, confirms that after this "a person produces
about 1% less collagen in the skin each year". As a result, "the skin
becomes thinner and more fragile". Well it's 'one of those things' that actually, we can defy. Here's how:
1. Facial massage
Massage
can stimulate collagen production and strengthen muscle memory (hello
contours!). Inge Theron who launched Spa Junkie's Face Gym says, "Facial
muscles are crucial to the way we look and with regular stimulation can
lift, tone and tighten the skin, boost blood circulation and collagen
production giving a fresh youthful appearance to the skin." Build
upwards massage movement into your daily routine when applying products –
ones that boost collagen, obvs
2. Collagen creams
Applying collagen topically is easier
said than done. The collagen molecule can't actually penetrate the skin;
it just sits on the surface. Therefore you need to choose a product
with collagen amino acids that are small enough to get to the deeper
layers of the dermis to deliver that plumping effect you associate with
collagen. The
Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion is the first-ever product to penetrate the skin's surface with
pure collagen and receives rave reviews. Snap up the Limited Edition
version in collaboration of the Prince's Trust where during May and June
Murad are donating £10 from every sale to the charity.
3. Eat for bouncier skin
It's not all about lotions and
potions. Dr Murad believes diet is as important. "Eat beans, cabbage and
garlic. These foods are rich in sulphur which aids the forming of
collagen and maintains the skin's natural healthy pigmentation." Vitamin
C also supports the process of collagen formation and works to reduce
oxidative damage, so also munch on foods like broccoli, spinach, goji
berries and kiwi fruits. Easy, eh?
4. Quit smoking (and sugar!)
Smoking can kill off collagen, as a spokesperson from
QuitFullstop.co.uk
explains: "it ages the skin by eating away at proteins, thereby
restricting blood flow" - this results in dry, leathery and wrinkled
skin around the lips and eyes. Unfortunately sugar can have the same
effect. Celebrity nutritionist Madeline Shaw says: "Sugar can
permanently attach to collagen. When collagen is weighed down by glucose
it becomes rigid and inflexible, resulting in dull, dry and ageing
skin." Cut back on the refined white stuff.
5. Say hello to hydration
Keeping
your skin hydrated with water, plant foods and hydrating skin care is
possibly the easiest way to boost collagen. Dr Murad confirms that "The
more hydrated your skin is, the better environment it gives for collagen
and elastin [essentially skin's pliability protein] to thrive."
6. Try a potent supplement
Supplements can get to work deep in the dermal layers and strengthen your collagen from the inside out. Before and after a
4-month trial of Imedeen Derma One
tablets Cosmo's Online Beauty Editor had her skin measured by a
Dermascan and found that the protein, zinc and vitamin C-rich formula
increased her collagen levels by a whopping 25%. Acting Beauty Writer
Lucy is currently conducting a similar trial of Skinade, a liquid
supplement that claims to rebuild and strengthen the collagen matrix
below the skin's surface. Keep your eyes peeled on the
Beauty Lab for the results.
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