The Importance of Collagen
We hear a lot about collagen and ageing, but why exactly is it so important for our skin? According to Gina Cook, National Training Manager at Ella Bache, “Collagen is considered to be the single most important protein of the connective tissues of the body. Collagen is a network that provides a strong and resilient structure to support the skin (the skin is made up of layers that all have varying functions) when the support to the skin is compromised the changes can reflect the skin’s overall appearance. 70% of our dermal tissue is comprised of collagen and this is where the skin gets its elasticity and tone. When it’s impaired, we see aging and changes in firmness to the skin.”
The more collagen in your skin, the more elastic it is, and the fewer lines and wrinkles you see. Collagen, like most things, declines as we age (see image below). You can’t stockpile collagen in your skin when you are younger (unfortunately), and any collagen product or supplement will only help improve your skin’s collagen if it is depleted. Gina says “Collagen production is stimulated by activity deep in the layers of the dermis. Skincare treatments that stimulate muscle and circulation in the skin will stimulate healthy skin resulting in skin firmness, elasticity and tone. Additionally, products that have ingredients that stimulate cellular regeneration will accelerate healthy formation of skin cells.” As an anti-ageing boost, it is worth using products either with added collagen, or that help your skin produce its own collagen as you age, and start seeing fine lines and a loss of elasticity (a dead giveaway that the collagen in your skin is declining). Some of our favourite collagen boosting beauty products are:
Nivea Cellular Hyaluron Ampoules
This powerful little wonder (and we mean little – it’s about the size of your little finger), contains the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid within the NIVEA range. The formula helps to fill lines and wrinkles by stimulating skin cells to produce their own hyaluron and collagen, both of which are found naturally in our skin. Each NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Ampoule contains the right amount for one week’s use. You only use a small amount prior to applying day and night creams, and tests have shown that after consistent use, skin looks and feels firmer and wrinkles are plumped up with moisture as cells are stimulated to produce their own hyaluron and collagen. Nivea Cellular Hyaluron Ampoules 7 Day Treatment Single Pack RRP $12.99, 4-Pack (pictured) RRP $39.99.
Ella Bache Collagen+ Treatment Oil
Perfect for drier skins, the Ella Bache Collagen+ Treatment Oil is a super-luxe feeling oil that uses 100% natural, pure active oils to help increase skin firmness, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Oils of Australian native Hemp Seed Oil and Kakadu Plum Seed Oil hydrate, plump and revitalise skin, whilst helping to protect skin’s natural barrier, while actives Lupinus Albus Seed Extract helps to improve skin’s elasticity and firmness. The addition of Propolis, Ubiquinone and Rosemary Leaf Extract also have a multi-lifting effect on skin, to help improve collagen synthesis. Ella Bache Collagen+ Treatment Oil 30ml RRP $79.00.
DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C
The hydrating formula of the DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C serum encourages water retention, improves the organisation of cellular structures and aids the cellular repair of your skin. The inclusion of vitamins C and B in the serum helps to stimulate collagen and suppress melanogenesis (the process of melanin production) while its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties work to calm, heal and regenerate healthy skin. In helping to reduce the amount of damaged cells in your skin, the Direct Delivery Vitamin C serum is ideal for wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, skin tone and texture, acne, darker skin tones, pigmentation, and scarring. As a bonus, it can also be used pre- and post-operative treatments to encourage healing and help prevent scarring. As with all DMK products, this should be prescribed by a DMK Skin Revision Technician to ensure it meets your skin’s needs (click on the stockist link at the bottom of this post to find your closest clinic).DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C 30ml RRP $165.00.
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Pre-Essence & Micro-Sculpting Cream
This wonder duo work together to help strengthen skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Pre-Essence is formulated with advanced Amino-Peptide Complex, to help strengthen your skins barrier function, and improve skin renewal. Used ahead of your moisturiser, the Pre-Essence helps to opens up the skins water channels to prep the skin and so more ingredients are absorbed into your skin from the skincare that follows. The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is formulated with Amino Peptides with Pro-Collagen molecules which helps to repair skin, reduce wrinkles and firm skin, Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerol to hydrate and plump skin, and Antioxidants and Vitamin B3 to help protect skin against further damage. Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Pre-Essence 40ml RRP $39.99, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream 48g RRP $48.99 (NB, the image shows 50g, but the actual product size is 48g).
Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Night Crème
Applied at night, after serum, the luxe Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Night Crème is a wonder anti-ageing Crème. Helping to deliver intensive moisture overnight (while both you and your skin are resting), the Tri-HA Cell Signalling Complex helps skin boost its own production of ultra-hydrating, line-plumping Hyaluronic Acid by up to 182% in just 3 days (tests conducted in-vitro). The addition of a night time amino acid complex helps to optimise skin’s natural replenishment of collagen. Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Night Crème 50ml RRP $120.00.
Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream
The Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream may be small, but it packs a mighty punch (and actually, at 30ml, it is larger than most Eye Creams). Formulated with Kiwi Seed Oil (rich in Omega 3, and Vitamins C and E), Avocado Oil and Carrot Seed Oil, this lightweight gel nourishes, soothes, and calms the delicate skin around your eye area, helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines. The cruelty-free, vegan, certified organic formula has been shown to help accelerate collagen production. Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream 30ml RRP $59.00.
Priori Q+SOD fx230 Eye Crème
For those with more mature eyes (read deeper lines and wrinkles), the Priori Q+SOD fx230 Eye Crème is perfect. The crème is formulated with CoQ10, a powerful antioxidant to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin hydration, Super Strength SOD, to help protect and nourish the delicate skin around your eyes, and 12% Lactic Acid, to help (very) gently exfoliate skin, and boost Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen production. Used over time, eyes look more refreshed, firmer, and skin more retexturised. Priori Q+SOD fx230 Eye Crème 15ml RRP $120.00.
Jergens Oil Infused Skin Firming Lotion
If you’re finding your body skin a little crepey and lacking in firmness, the Jergens Oil Infused Skin Firming Lotion, work to firm and smooth cellulite prone and crepey skin. The formula is infused with Seaweed Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract, botanical elixirs high in collagen and elastin to help with skin firming by improving texture and restoration of skin elasticity. The lotion also contains Caffeine, a natural stimulant that helps to smooth the skin’s appearance and texture, the hydrating moisturiser helps to visibly firm skin. Skin is left hydrated and nourished, and over time skin elasticity and firmness is improved. 496ml RRP $11.99
Have you used any of our favourite collagen-stimulating beauties? Are you tempted? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for our Ingestible Collagen piece – coming soon. PS, you will have noticed references to Hyaluron, and Hyaluronic Acid above, and see it in the Skin Ageing and Collagen image above. To learn more about this skin essential, and what it does, click here (just be aware that this is a post from 2018, so some of the RRP’s may have changed, but the information on Hyaluronic Acid is correct).
