In the recent years, collagen powders have become increasingly popular among people who are interested in natural health and wellness. These days, It is not that common to meet someone who tells you that they sprinkle a dash of collagen powder in their morning juice or smoothie every day. Even though a lot of people are learning about the benefits of collagen only recently, the truth is, humans have been consuming it for centuries.
Collagen is a type of protein that makes up a huge part of the human skin. It is found in the dermis layer of the skin and is responsible for giving the skin its firmness and elasticity. Other parts of your body that contain collagen include the bones, tendons, muscle, organs, ligaments, hair, etc.
As you grow older, your body breaks down significantly more collagen than it makes. Consuming it in powder or liquid form can help reduce the declining levels of collagen powder in your body. Apart from its skin benefits, collagen has several nutritional benefits as well – it being a vital protein.
Skincare Benefits Of Collagen Supplements
1. Collagen boosts skin elasticity
This is one of the main skincare benefits of collagen supplements! Collagen is known to boost skin elasticity naturally.
When your skin elasticity is enhanced, your skin doesn’t develop premature signs of aging like wrinkles, find lines, crow’s feet, etc. Furthermore, increased skin elasticity also means that your skin would not appear saggy, even when you get older. Collagen is one of the crucial proteins that keep your skin taut and keep saggy skin at bay.
2. It fills up wrinkles
As collagen breaks down in your body, your face is likely to start showing the effects aging even when you have just entered your mid 30s. These effects are compounded further due to overexposure to the sun. Although collagen injections don’t necessarily prevent future wrinkles, their wrinkle-filling effects can last for a few months.
3. Treats scars
Scars resulting from acne can be faded away very effectively by collagen. Your skin gets scarring much more easily as you age and the scars start to appear more pronounced. When collagen is injected into them, it can either minimize or eliminate their appearance. Of course, you need to know how to pick the right collagen peptides in order to get all the benefits that collagen has in store for you.
Also read: Best Treatments For Acne Scars That Actually Work
4. Reduces stretch marks and cellulite
Stretch marks and cellulite are a negative result of your skin losing its elasticity. As the skin becomes thinner, it is not able to conceal what is happening underneath it. By boosting your skin’s elasticity, collagen prevents cellulites and stretch marks while treating the pre-existing ones.
How can I boost my skin’s collagen?
Apart from aging, the other factors that hinder collagen production in our bodies are caused by our lifestyle choices. This includes smoking, drinking alcohol and overexposure to the sun. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is one of the easiest ways to boost the supply of this protein to your skin. Your diet should include vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. At the same time, you should try to avoid foods that are likely to fuel inflammation – which includes processed products and sweets.
Apart from the various skincare benefits, collagen also strengthens your bones and increases your muscle mass. If you are trying to improve the appearance of your skin, it is good to know the actual source of the problem first before you decide to take any supplements.