BEAUTY
INSIDE OUT
Do Collagen broths and Collagen beverage help my skin?
Some people believe that by ingesting collagen, they can replace the collagen in their skin. This is not the case.
Collagen is naturally found in many animal products and is considered a type of protein. However, a protein that is ingested will be broken down into various amino acids during digestion. Once broken down, the collagen is no longer collagen, but a collection of amino acids. It’s a bit like if you take apart a table, it is no longer a table, but a collection of wood.
Eating collagen or collagen-laced foods will not replace your lost collagen nor will it pass along benefits to your skin in the form of younger-looking skin.
Will Collagen cream make my skin look younger?
Often, creams or masks are advertised as containing collagen. However, there is no evidence that this benefits your skin. Your skin is made up of many layers and serves as a protective barrier against the outside world. It is not impenetrable.
There are many factors that determine if a molecule is able to pass through the skin, with size being an important factor. It is generally accepted that a molecule smaller than 500 Daltons is able to penetrate the skin.
Collagen, however, is a large molecule, and exists as polymeric proteins, which means that the size can vary greatly, from about 80,000 to 120,000 Daltons. That is too large to penetrate and be absorbed by the skin, thereby providing no benefit. At best, the collagen will sit on top of your skin, and be washed off the next time you wash your face.
Can Hyaluronic Acid Creams or Serums help my skin?
Hyaluronic acid is much like collagen in that it is far too large to pass through the skin barrier. It has a size of about 80,000 to 110,000 Daltons, far larger than the 500 Dalton limit. It will not penetrate the skin, and so will not help your skin regain lost elasticity or eliminate wrinkles. At best, you have a very expensive polymer sitting on top of your skin.
How can I boost the Production of Collagen in my body?
For beautiful skin, we need to nourish the body from the inside out.
Our skin is considered an organ, and it works in conjunction with all the other organs in our body. To stay young and healthy, we need to take care of our entire body and all of our organs. Sometimes we equate the word “young” to mean no wrinkles, but the word “young” can also mean that your organs are, in fact, young. Some people can be 50 years old, but have an immune function of a 40 year old—these individuals will not get sick as easily.
There are many studies that have been done behind why we age, and a lot of research focuses on the effects of free radicals on aging. Numerous studies suggest that we age because our cells are damaged over time by free radicals. A diet high in antioxidants can help prevent free radicals from causing oxidative damage, or reduce the formation of free radicals in our body. This may slow the process of aging.
To do this, we need to keep to a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables.
Some superfoods that contain high levels of antioxidants include acerola cherry, cactus fruit, rose, blueberries, and cranberries.
Staying young is a lifestyle change. A diet that is high in antioxidants and plant foods, combined with healthy habits such as proper rest and exercise, will be most beneficial.