Collagen For Skin: Everything You Need to Know
Despite the rise of collagen's popularity in skincare, many people don’t really know a lot about it. Collagen became a huge buzzword in the skincare industry, and not without reason. This type of protein is great not only for the skin but for the whole body in general. It is hard to pass the drugstore without noticing collagen on almost all products for the skin or body. What exactly it does do to your skin, body, and hair? Learn how to introduce collagen in your skincare routine and which benefits to expect.
What is Collagen, and What Does It Do
The body naturally produces a protein named collagen. It is the most abundant structural protein in animals, making one-third of proteins in the body. What is actually means collagen is one that makes up the structure of cells and tissues. Imagine it as a glue that holds everything together.
Collagen is full of amino acids, proline, and hydroxyproline. The right amount of all these keeps the body healthy and able to function normally. The right levels of collagen keep the kidneys working and protect the cardiovascular system.
Different Types of Collagen
There are around 28 known types of collagen. Most of these are made of long and thin structures called fibrils. They are strong and very flexible. Collagen is found in bones, tissues, skin, and cartilage.
The main difference between types of collagen is how the molecules are grouped. There are 5 main types:
- Type I: gives structure to bones, ligaments, tendons, and skin.
- Type II: found in elastic cartilage, supports joints.
- Type III: found in organs, muscles, and arteries.
- Type IV: found in the skin layers
- Type V: found in hair, some skin layers, the placenta, and in the cornea.
The two most common types are I and III. They are found in the skin and are mainly for keeping the skin wrinkle-free.
What Does Collagen Do For Skin
Collagen takes about 80% of the skin. Alongside elastin, it provides the skin with elasticity and maintains strength. Collagen has many benefits for the skin, from keeping it firm, plump, and dewy to shredding old skin cells and repairing them with new ones. It is located in the middle layer of the skin (dermis).
Benefits For the Skin
We all know that collagen plays the main role in keeping skin youthful and firm. It also provides strength, elasticity, and hydration. After having enough collagen in the skin it will look:
Dewy and plump
Able to bounce back
Glow healthy
Smooth and firm
Collagen Loss
Collagen levels are the highest when we are young. If you wondered why children have so soft and smooth skin - that is why. However, as we get older, collagen production naturally slows down. From the 20s on, collagen levels deplete by about 1% yearly.
What does this mean for the skin? It means you can notice some characteristic signs of aging:
- Loss of elasticity
- Dry and flaky skin
- Sagging skin
- Fine lines and wrinkles
How to Restore Collagen in Face?
One of the easiest ways to restore collagen in your face is introducing products with it into your skincare routine. When it comes to products, invest in one that contains collagen or acids that are small enough to penetrate the skin properly.
Gymsegbe’s new product Indulgent Collagen Mist is the right product for you if you have noticed collagen loss. It is saturated with collagen peptides, lemon, rose, adenosine, and snail mucin. It is a water-based product that is suitable even for dry and sensitive skin. You will notice the instant difference, glow, and powerful boost of hydration.