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We all know that the amount of collagen in the skin determines its youthfulness, elasticity, the presence or absence of wrinkles, and the clarity of the face oval. It is also known that with age, the amount of this protein decreases – with all the ensuing consequences. Is it possible to increase the production of collagen in the body and how – that is the question. Let’s try to answer it.
What is collagen
It is known that with age, collagen in the skin (and in the body as a whole) becomes less. And before answering the question that interests us all, how to increase collagen production, let’s find out what leads to its decrease.
The human body is a constantly renewing system. Simply put, life is about destroying old cells and replacing them with new ones. This is a natural ongoing process.
The full cycle of synthesis and destruction of collagen takes about a month, while at a young age the exchange is about 6 kg per year, and by the age of 40-45 – half as much.
Such a noticeable drop in the level of collagen in the skin is associated with an imbalance between the destruction of this protein and its production: that is, the body synthesizes less collagen than it loses.
With age, not only the quantity, but also the quality of collagen fibers changes.
Thus, there are two ways to approach the problem of collagen reduction:
stimulate protein synthesis;
prevent their destruction.
Check if your skin is in danger of losing elasticity.
Factors Accelerating the Destruction of Collagen
Not only time and hormonal age-related changes are responsible for the imbalance between collagen synthesis and its destruction.
Stress
Yes, no matter how trite, but also in the formation of wrinkles, a decrease in skin elasticity (and, consequently, in the accelerated destruction of collagen), cortisol, secreted by the adrenal glands and having a negative effect on the vital activity of the skin, is to blame. There is even such a thing: adrenal burnout caused by chronic stress, which tends to accumulate.
Constant stress literally ages the skin.
Dealing with stress is difficult, but necessary. We will talk about this in other articles.
Improper diet
The predominance of high-carb foods (desserts, flour, sweet soda) contribute to the process of glycation – the deposition of glucose on collagen fibers, as a result of which they begin to stick together, losing their functionality.
Lack of protein food – a source of amino acids – leads to a shortage of building material for the body’s own protein structures.
The lack of fresh vegetables in the diet deprives the body of vitamins and minerals, as well as enzymes responsible for the absorption of proteins.
Sun
Type A rays tend to destroy collagen fibers, penetrating into the deep dermal layer of the skin. Sunburn abuse can lead to premature aging.
What boosts collagen production
And now let’s talk about the pleasant – factors, substances and foods that can enhance collagen production, and therefore improve skin condition.
Vitamin C
One of the best compounds that stimulate the production of collagen, without its participation, the synthesis of this protein is generally impossible.
Healthy sleep
It is sleep problems that over the years become one of the root causes of accelerated aging of the skin and the body as a whole, since it does not have the ability to recover and reboot all its systems. The one who sleeps sweetly does not age longer.
Amino acids
Proline, lysine, glycine are the building blocks for building collagen in the body. Their most popular (and natural) sources are:
bone broth (the richest source of nutrients and amino acids);
white chicken meat;
fish (especially skin, head and cartilage) and shellfish;
egg white rich in proline;
citrus fruits and berries (vitamin C);
green leafy vegetables, extremely rich in trace elements and antioxidants that protect collagen from breakdown.
Rich bone broth is an excellent source of collagen.
Can cosmetics stimulate collagen production?
Cosmetic ingredients that can stimulate collagen synthesis include:
ascorbic acid (vitamin C), we recall that without its participation, the formation of collagen fibers is impossible;
peptides – the “building material” of the skin;
rhamnose, proxylan;
retinoids, known for their ability to influence metalloproteinases that destroy collagen;
blueberry extract, niacinamide (vitamin B3), which prevent collagen glycation, during which it loses its properties.
Review of cosmetics for skin elasticity
In this selection, we have included the most relevant products for our topic from the anti-aging lines of the Vichy brand. Some of them are included in the expert protocol for anti-aging skin care. It is represented by brand expert dermatologist Victoria Klisko.
Concentrated anti-aging serum for the skin of the face and neck in ampoules LiftActiv Peptide-C Specialist, Vichy
The concentrate in ampoules promises to fight wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. The composition is very encouraging:
pure vitamin C at a concentration of 10%;
biopeptide complex;
hyaluronic acid of two types;
Vichy thermal mineralizing water.
Serum for skin radiance LiftActiv, Vichy
The pure vitamin C at 15% in this formula is joined by the “vitamin of youth” E and the antioxidant polyphenol of maritime pine. This stellar composition is responsible for the smoothness, elasticity and radiance of the skin.
Day cream for all skin types LiftActiv Collagen Specialist, Vichy
Cream with collagen-stimulating type I and II peptides and vitamin C fights wrinkles and remodels facial contours.
Day care cream for normal and combination skin during menopause Neovadiol, Vichy
Increases skin density and visibly smoothes wrinkles. The active molecule proxylan is included in the composition, which stimulates the production of the skin’s own collagen.