Are Collagen Drinks and Supplements Worth It?
Every day, a patient asks if those expensive collagen drinks, powders, and supplements are worth trying for better skin. The answer is a resounding no! Despite the marketing claims and the fact that many celebrities swear by them, these collagen supplements are just not going to give you the results you’re hoping for. The good news, though, is that there are ways you can help your skin to naturally produce more collagen, as well as prevent the breakdown of existing collagen in your skin.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the primary structural protein found throughout your body and is also the most abundant protein found in all mammals. It is made up of strings of amino acids, which bind together in a specific pattern to form the structure for things like ligaments, tendons, and skin. Collagen is naturally manufactured within the human body using vitamin C, but its production does begin to decrease by about one percent, starting after the age of 20. This is what causes the skin to lose its youthful strength and thickness.
Do Collagen Drinks Help My Skin?
Since decreased collagen production leads to signs of aging, many companies have marketed drinkable and other forms of oral collagen as an anti-aging solution. However, these claims are not accurate. Unfortunately, collagen is broken down by your stomach acids when taken orally before it can benefit your skin.
Additionally, you can get plenty of collagen by eating meat. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, your body can still make its own collagen. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin C or take a vitamin C supplement, since this vitamin is required in order to make collagen.
Anti-Aging Tips to Try Instead
Collagen supplements aren’t worth wasting your money on, but there are some easy anti-aging tricks that can help to stave off wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
- Add vitamin C to your skin care routine. Vitamin C is one of the most beneficial topical ingredients for your skin. As mentioned above, vitamin C is needed in order for your skin to make collagen. Add a high-quality vitamin C serum to your daily skin care routine to help boost your skin’s ability to produce this important protein.
- Add retinoids to your skin care routine. Retinoids are another beneficial ingredient. They also help your skin to produce collagen and are often used as a treatment for acne and wrinkles for this reason.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen in your skin, so avoiding this habit can help to keep your skin looking younger and healthier.
- Don’t tan. UV light from the sun and indoor tanning beds can also cause collagen to break down more rapidly. Include sunscreen in your daily skin care routine, and avoid deliberate tanning.
- Try in-office treatments. There are many in-office treatments that can help to stimulate collagen production, like microneedling and laser skin treatments. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your anti-aging treatment options.
Bottom Line
Expensive collagen drinks and supplements not necessary. There are other ways to make sure your skin is able to produce enough collagen on its own, like taking a vitamin C supplement, staying out of the sun, and skin treatments in your dermatologist’s office.
For more anti-aging tips, tricks, and advice from Dr. Leslie Baumann, follow Baumann Cosmetic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Wishing you great skin!
©2019 Metabeauty, Inc.