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Manufacturers of cosmetics rightly call collagen the protein of youth. Its content in the skin determines whether wrinkles attack you or your face retains clear contours and a toned look. Want details? We’ll tell you everything you wanted to know about the role collagen plays in the fight against aging.
What is collagen
Collagen is not just called the protein of youth. From its amount in the skin depends on whether it will be smooth and elastic. The name of this substance comes from the Greek words kolla – “glue” and gen – “create”. Indeed, bone glue was prepared from bone collagen and animal cartilage.
Collagen is one of the main components of protein connective tissue, which is present in the body of humans, animals and fish. Chemically, collagen is a collection of 19 amino acids. In the skin, it is produced in the dermal layer and makes up 70% of the total protein mass.
Outwardly, collagen looks like a plexus of very strong and elastic spirals. This is a kind of “springy mattress” that supports the skin from the inside. In total, there are 28 types of collagen; collagen types I and VII play the most important role for youthful skin.
Why you need collagen
Along with elastin, collagen has the ability to “spring”, stretch and return to its original shape. In youth, a sufficient amount of collagen is produced to provide the skin with:
- elasticity;
- elasticity;
- fullness;
- tone
Collagen in the skin is synthesized by special cells – fibroblasts. Collagen is destroyed under the influence of special collagenase enzymes, as well as metalloproteinases. Over time, the ratio of production and destruction of collagen changes in favor of the latter, the activity of enzymes that destroy collagen increases. Which, of course, affects the quality of the skin.
A decrease in the amount of collagen leads to the following consequences:
- loss of elasticity;
- laxity;
- the formation of wrinkles;
- change in the shape and proportions of the face.
The quantity and quality of collagen is the main parameter of skin age and determines the presence of wrinkles and folds. Over the years, the rate of reproduction of collagen fibers falls by half.
In addition to aging, there are several other factors that negatively affect collagen synthesis in the skin.
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- Dehydration.
- Smoking.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Avitaminosis.
- Constant stress and poor sleep.
- Diet low in protein.
What foods contain collagen
A decrease in the amount of collagen in the body negatively affects the condition of not only the skin, but also the joints. To prevent this from happening, doctors recommend first of all changing the diet, paying attention to collagen-containing and protein-rich foods.
Collagen content in food
Nutrients and vitamins | Products |
Proteins | white meat turkey and chicken, fish, oysters, shellfish |
Omega-3 fatty acids | fish oil, linseed oil |
Vitamin C | red bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, dill, kiwi |
Amino acids | soy and legumes, meat, fish, nuts, apples |
Zinc | chicken, beef, pine nuts, peanuts, beans, buckwheat |
Collagen types
In cosmetics and cosmetology, collagen obtained from three different sources is used.
Collagen of animal origin
It is isolated from the skin of pigs and cattle. To date, this (cheapest) type of collagen is banned from use in facial cosmetics due to the increased risk of infections and allergic reactions.
Collagen of vegetable origin
Plants do not produce collagen. Therefore, when it comes to plant collagen, we mean hydrolyzed protein – an artificial material created on a plant basis. Most often these are wheat proteins and algae. Vegetable collagen is well accepted by the skin, but in fact it is not collagen. And the production process is quite expensive and complicated.
Marine collagen
It is isolated by a biotechnological method from the skin of fish and is considered the most acceptable, since fish collagen is close to human and is easily absorbed by the skin. Freshwater fish collagen is considered the highest quality, which, unlike marine fish collagen, does not cause allergies.
Facial collagen in cosmetics
Collagen is often used in professional masks and serums, but is less common in home use products. The reason is that collagen molecules are too large, they are not able to penetrate the skin and compensate for the lack of its own collagen. To stimulate its synthesis, other cosmetic ingredients that have proven their viability are used. Collagen in cosmetics is valued for other beneficial properties.
Moisturize the skin.
Give it elasticity due to the attraction of moisture.
Prevent evaporation of moisture.
Smooth out the surface of the skin.
Anti-aging creams often contain collagen, since its synthesis in the skin decreases with age.
Collagen based masks
Most often, they are collagen sheets to create a moisture-retaining film on the skin that fills in skin irregularities. They are used in the program of rejuvenating professional procedures.
Creams with collagen
In formulas for aging skin, collagen purposefully fights wrinkles due to the ability to increase in volume. Yes, in line “Age Expert” L‘Oréal in Paris collagen biospheres are involved, penetrating into the skin and “pushing out” wrinkles from the inside.
Serums with collagen
The concentrates mainly use marine collagen in combination with hyaluronic acid for the effect of filling the skin and smoothing the relief.
Funds overview
Day anti-aging facial “Age Expert 35+”, L’Oréal Paris
Anti-aging day care for the face “Age Expert 35+”, L’Oreal Paris Cream with collagen biospheres is suitable for correcting and preventing the first signs of aging that appear after 35 years. Restores skin elasticity, smoothes wrinkles, as if pushing them out from the inside.
Regenerating face cream, Kiehl’s
Extracts of arctic rose, one of the hardiest plants in the world, and white birch, which provides moisture to the epidermis, as well as squalane, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. As a result, the skin becomes firmer and smoother.
Face cream Liftactiv Specialist, Vichy
The skin loses up to 1% of collagen every year, which leads to loss of firmness and wrinkles. A cream with biopeptides and eperulin makes the skin more actively produce valuable protein, and after a month of use, you will notice a reduction in nasolabial folds and wrinkles on the forehead, and the oval of the face will become clearer.