Why collagen is essential for healthy skin

We have talked about collagen before in previous blogs and its role in your body to support bones, skin, nails, hair, and ligaments. As the most abundant protein in the human body, collagen is essential for our health. It provides the support matrix that underpins healthy skin, and it is a vital part of skin firmness and elasticity. 

When you are young, the rope-like structure of collagen remains tight, but as you get older, the ends begin to fray. As our natural production decreases during the ageing process, your body can not replace the collagen at the same rate as it breaks down. The skin becomes more susceptible to sagging, wrinkles and loss of firmness. 

No matter your skin type, there are certain things that everyone can do to promote healthy skin and including collagen in your 360 approach to beauty and wellbeing should be one of them. It is available in different formats, such as drinks, supplements, and skincare, making it easy to incorporate into any routine. 

Collagen is a beauty booster that is well worth the hype. There is no wonder why it is so popular with its many benefits for the skin and anti-ageing properties. But why is it so essential for a healthy complexion? 

People who supplement collagen or use collagen skincare report an improvement in youthfulness and radiance in the health of their skin. Collagen also helps the skin's natural renewal process where old skin cells shed to make way for new cells that help the skin glow. 

As we approach the summer season, many of us want glowing skin so we can have the confidence to step out with minimal make-up and let our skin breathe. Glowing skin does not just come from using topical skincare products. Instead, it comes from taking an inside-out approach. 

The reality is that some extra care and attention is needed throughout the summer months to keep your skin healthy, as the sun can cause damage, such as an uneven increase in melanin production, which can produce irregular colouring (pigmentation) to the skin. The wind can also cause damage to the skin, too much exposure to it can reduce the natural sun protection in your skin. It can cause the outer layer of your skin to dry out, weaken and these cells can fall off, reducing the sun protective effects. 

We have put together five top tips below for how you can keep your skin healthy this summer, so make sure you read on to get the inside scoop on radiant skin:

Five top tips for healthy skin this summer

1. Cleanse your skin day and night

Washing your face is something you are probably doing already - but during the summer months, it becomes even more crucial. Your skin gets oilier in the summer heat and can become more exposed to the elements, so cleansing more frequently is more important than ever.

2. Wear sunscreen daily

A top priority for keeping skin healthy in the summer should be protecting it against damaging UVA and UVB rays. Whether you're spending half an hour, or all day in the sun, your skin can still be exposed to the harmful effects.  

3. Exfoliate weekly

Exfoliation is the key to brighter and smoother skin. Dead skin cells, dirt and oil, can build up on your face and cause your pores to become clogged. With proper exfoliation, you can uncover fresh new skin cells and open the way for moisturising products to penetrate deeply into your skin - making them more effective. It is important in the summer when your skin needs that extra hydration and protection. While regular exfoliation is a must for glowing skin, you should limit it to once a week, as over-exfoliating could cause your skin to become dry and irritated. 

4. Collagen supplements

We mentioned that glowing skin doesn't just come from topical skincare. The collagen in your body is responsible for skin strength and elasticity - meaning that a lack of it can leave your face looking tired. This is where collagen supplements come in, giving your levels a boost, and working to restore the firmness of your skin. One of our favourites to add into our routine is a collagen drink like Beauty Collagen. Packed with collagen and nourishing vitamins and minerals that support your body's own collagen formation, as well as increasing skin elasticity and firmness. 

Alternatively, if you'd rather incorporate capsules into your routine, our Pure Collagen capsules are also designed to promote the body's own collagen production!

5. Don't forget your lips

The lips are one area that some people forget needs looking after in the summer. During hotter weather conditions, the thin protective layer on your lips gets easily peeled off, leading to dry, cracked and chapped lips. The skin on your lips is more sensitive compared to other areas of your body. Therefore, it needs an extra layer of protection. 

 

As your natural collagen production decreases from the age of 20, the sooner you start looking after your skin, the better. Instead of waiting for the damage to happen, collagen is something you can incorporate into your routine to start protecting it from a young age. It is never too soon to take care of your skin and make sure it is the healthiest it can be.