Collagen is a very popular term nowadays. With skincare taking over social media influencing business and everybody wanting a piece of it, the awareness has grown. For the uninformed — collagen is a natural protein made by our bodies. Its main function is to create flexibility and elasticity in various parts of our bodies like bones, cartilage, connective tissue and skin. Why does young skin appear so soft and supple? Why does old skin have wrinkles and fine lines? It is because of collagen. It decreases as you age, making your skin tauter, less elastic, and prone to wrinkles.

But there are a few ways in which you can protect your body’s collagen drop. You can even help increase it. Here are 5 ways to increase your skin’s collagen.

1. Animal Protein

Increase your consumption of animal protein that is clean and healthy. Grass-fed organic poultry, beef and even fish benefit your skin. The amino acids present in these foods are great stimulants to increase collagen production. Most of the animal proteins listed above, along with nuts, are high in proline, glutamine, arginine and lysine. Especially the meat that is tough to cut, like tendons, bones and skin. These are a bigger sources of amino acids that boost your skin’s collagen. Also, you can consume bone broth. Add gelatine too and you will see some additional boost as bone broth is all the goodness of animal parts that are tough meats or high on collagen.

2. Peptide Supplements

The market is full of over-the-counter and prescribed peptide supplements. These come in the form of capsules, pills etc. Peptides are the basic form of collagen, the building blocks. These, when consumed regularly, increase the collagen in your skin. Usually, these supplements also contain other vitamins and proteins to help strengthen your connective tissue too.

3. CoQ10

CoQ10 is a coenzyme, as is evident from its name. It is also called Ubiquinone and is a natural active which is very effective in accelerating collagen production. CoQ10 is otherwise found in all living cell structures and contributes to metabolism. Nowadays many skincare products and treatments use CoQ10 to work on fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. Like the CoQ10 Facial here at Savarnas Beauty Spa that is targeted to work on hyper pigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines. 

4. Vitamin C Products

Vitamin C is an immunity booster, as well as an essential in skincare. What it also does is permeates the skin’s upper and lower layers, i.e. epidermis and dermis. It helps in the synthesis of collagen, giving your skin that natural supple and smooth texture. Most basic skincare products have Vitamin C in some form or the other, but you can specifically look for Vitamin C-rich products like moisturiser, sunscreen or foundation. The best bet though is to invest in a Vitamin C serum, which also has anti-aging properties. This will go a long way in helping your skin increase collagen, as well as reduce any signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

Some other ingredients that help in collagen synthesis include Niacinamide and Sodium hyaluronate. They are also good moisturising agents, so they prove effective in long-term use to push aging.

5. Facial

Getting regular facials is one of the easiest ways to stimulate collagen production. The gentle massages and nourishing products used to increase blood circulation, which in turn stimulate the skin cells to perform their activities better. It is more beneficial if you choose a specific facial that is targeted to anti-aging and collagen building, like the CoQ10 Facial stated above. Or the Youth Facial at Savarnas Beauty Spa which uses an intensely hydrating collagen mask to help your skin glow and achieve a fresh complexion.

Some More Tips to Slow Down/Avoid Collagen Loss:

• Protect your skin from the sun — use sunscreen, umbrellas, sunglasses and hats when out.
• Reduce your consumption of sugary foods, avoid carbs and refined products too.
• Give up smoking as the smoke contributes to collagen breakdown in the skin.
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Aging is a natural process, as is the breakdown of collagen with age. But the other processes are in our hands. How we eat, what we eat, how we treat our skin… Keep the above tips in mind and shift your habits. As for anti-aging facials, visit Savarnas Beauty Spa.