Collagen – it’s a term many of us learned shortly after we were old enough to flip through the pages of glossy fashion magazines. The women we saw inside had the regal cheekbones and knowing eyes that come from decades of knowledge and experience, but laugh lines were curiously absent, and their lips were smooth and plump. How did they do it? Collagen, the ads told us. It all came down to collagen.
What is collagen? Put simply, it’s the glue that holds us together. Collagen is a protein – in fact, it accounts for 30% of the total protein in the human body – and it can be found in bones, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissue. It's also found in the skin and this is why beauty mavens have been talking about it for decades.
As a connective tissue, collagen helps skin remain supple, soft and elastic enough to bounce back from microscopic damage and retain a youthful appearance. Collagen production slows down as we get older. Over time, once-strong connections between cells grow weak and break, resulting in illness, blemishes and wrinkles.
When this happens, our bodies can use a little help. One way to boost collagen levels is to eat a high-protein diet. The amino acids in protein-rich foods like meat, dairy and soy provide the raw materials your body needs to manufacture new proteins like collagen. We can also take collagen supplements in the form of pills or liquids.
Rather than altering diets or swallowing pills, most youth-seekers prefer easy-to-apply skin products. The H2V Triple C Serum stimulates natural collagen production, and all it takes is a few dabs of the product. Transform R3 uses peptides to achieve the same goal, helping your skin produce more collagen and fight the signs of aging in the process.
When Father Time and Mother Nature get together, they tend to wreak havoc on youthful faces and radiant skin. Now that you realize what you’re up against, at least you know where to get the tools to fight back.
How do you adapt your skincare regime as you age gracefully? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page or in the comments below.
