Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, it is naturally synthesized by the body and represents the main element of the connective tissues: skin, vessels, cartilages, tendons, ligaments, muscles, intestine... Everywhere where resistance is needed. Indeed, collagen fibers allow resist the tension forces in the tissues.

This is why collagen plays a major role in the elasticity and regeneration of the skin and tissues.

Benefits for the body

Collagen has an impact on the articular and digestive spheres.

It is a major element of the joints and ensures their cohesion and elasticity. With age, or in the case of intense physical activity, pains can appear. It is generally linked to a degradation of the cartilage (connective tissue rich in collagen). We speak of rheumatism or osteoarthritis.

Because of its virtues on the bone tissue, collagen also participates in reducing the appearance and progression of osteoporosis in menopausal women.

The collagen present in the intestinal connective tissue supports and strengthens the protective mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Its role is important because the breakdown of the intestinal barrier allows unwanted particles to enter the bloodstream. This is the permeable bowel syndrome, which will cause chronic inflammation.

Benefits for the skin

Collagen has multiple anti-aging benefits:

Helps fight dehydration due to its ability to retain water in the tissues.
Helps fight against skin slackening thanks to its ability to regenerate the epidermal tissues
Anti-oxidant and anti-radical action

Its production starts to decrease from the age of 25, and at 60, we have lost 60%. This phenomenon is aggravated by the effect of UV rays, tobacco, and air pollution. Without forgetting the role of food with glycation (fixation of sugars on the collagen protein) leads to a rigidification of this protein and thus a loss of elasticity.

The collagen fibers crack and become disorganized in the skin, which leads to the appearance of wrinkles and skin slackening. On the other hand, the lack of collagen in the skin causes an irregularity of the skin texture, the light is reflected less well, the skin loses its radiance and the complexion is less uniform.

Collagen and diet

There are few foods containing collagen. They are almost exclusively foods of animal origin. It is found in meat, especially in the gelatinous parts such as the feet, legs, tail, snout... Marrowbone, for example, is mostly composed of collagen and can be consumed in the form of broth to promote its extraction.

Collagen also exists in the marine environment: it is found in the skin, bones, and scales of fish.

Some foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, and zinc will also participate in the regeneration of the skin and boost collagen synthesis: salmon, green vegetables, avocado, garlic ...

According to a study published in July 2020 in the "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology", to be effective on wrinkles and skin elasticity of women aged 45 to 60, it would be necessary to consume 10g of hydrolyzed collagen per day, and this for 4 to 8 weeks. However, to ingest this quantity of collagen, one would have to eat 140g of marrow bones/day or drink 1 liter/day of marrow bone broth. This is why supplementation is often recommended.

Collagen-based cures

Our anti-aging doctors recommend taking dietary supplements based on collagen peptides, which can be of marine or bovine origin.

Is there a difference between marine and bovine origin?

Marine collagen is obtained from the skin, bones, and scales of fish.

Bovine collagen comes from the bones and skin of animals (cows, buffalos, bison).

Collagen is a large protein that cannot be absorbed by the intestines. To be absorbed and reach the tissues to perform its functions, it must be hydrolyzed (i.e. Fragmented) into peptides, composed of amino acids. Only the products of this fragmentation, i.e. The amino acids, are absorbed. And these amino acids, whether they come from marine or bovine collagen, are similar.

What are the criteria for choosing a good collagen-based supplement?

Hydrolysis is the 1st essential step to obtaining natural collagen peptides. When buying a supplement, it is important to check the hydrolysis method that has been used, which must be gentle. This is guaranteed by a patent (Naticol® or Verisol® type) which also guarantees the absence of heavy metals, solvent residues, and other contaminants.
The molecular weight of peptides must be between 2000 and 6000 Daltons to be properly assimilated. The lower the molecular weight, the better the bioavailability of the peptides.
European brand.

Choose your collagen-based supplement according to your needs

For a global action (nourish the skin, the cartilage, and the muscles), choose a hydrolyzed collagen, of marine or bovine origin.
For a complete anti-aging action on the skin, opt for a Nutri-cosmetic treatment combining collagen and hyaluronic acid, which will act on the skin's elasticity, firmness, and hydration.

Choosing the right collagen skin care product: 5 options

To give your skin every chance of maintaining its suppleness and elasticity, taking advantage of the benefits of collagen for the skin in the form of treatment is a solution to be favored. In order to make up for the lack of collagen suffered to the decrease in its production, several options can be considered. Focus on five collagen treatments to try.

1. Food supplements

It is possible to promote collagen production through diet. To do so, it is advisable to favor foods rich in minerals and vitamins (especially vitamin C). However, since it is not always easy to find the right ingredients to take advantage of the benefits of nutrients, turning to collagen-based food supplements is possible. These can be presented in different forms: capsules, capsules, tablets, sticks, etc.

The dietary supplement for the skin is most often taken in the form of a cure, the duration of which varies according to the brand and the concentration of the product.

2. Face creams

To reduce the signs of aging, a collagen-based cream is one of the easiest and least restrictive products to use. It can be used as a classic daytime anti-aging cream, but also exists in a nighttime version, for optimized effectiveness.

Directions for use: apply the collagen cream to the entire face, focusing on the areas most prone to wrinkles (especially around the lips and eyes).

3. Serums

Collagen serums allow you to benefit from all the anti-aging and moisturizing benefits of the protein in a concentrated version. This type of care is ideally used in addition to cream and fights against the loss of suppleness and elasticity thanks to a collagen-enriched formula. This type of care often combines several active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, another substance specific to the treatment of signs of aging.

4. Masks

As a complement to daily facials, a collagen mask can be very effective in achieving the desired result: smooth, supple skin that exudes youth. There are several types of masks. They can be in the form of a balm or a gel and are applied to a perfectly cleansed face. To optimize the effectiveness of the mask, a light exfoliation of the face beforehand may be useful.

In practice, collagen hydrogel masks are the most practical to use, as their shape is already adapted to the face. Simply unfold them, position them correctly and leave them on for the recommended time.

5. Liquid formats

For an intensive collagen treatment, you can opt for ampoules. These are generally composed of highly concentrated marine collagen and are used in a three- to four-week cure, depending on the brand.

On the practical side, they are generally used in the evening and are applied to perfectly cleansed skin. The action simply consists of distributing the contents of the ampoule over the areas of the face (avoiding the eye contour), the neck, and the neckline.

Skin aging is inevitable, and no one can escape it. However, thanks to the many ways to take advantage of the benefits of collagen, prolonging the skin's youthfulness becomes almost a formality.

The three key points to remember about collagen skin care:

- Collagen is a protein that occurs naturally in the body. It is essential for the skin to remain healthy, but its production diminishes with time;
The best known and most widely used substitute collagen in skin care products is marine collagen. It is extracted from the proteins present in the skin of oily fish, and is the one that is closest to our natural collagen;
To take advantage of the benefits of collagen, there is a wide range of care products. To take advantage of the benefits of collagen, there is a wide range of treatments available, including food supplements specific to the skin. In terms of cosmetics, collagen is used in the composition of many products, such as day creams, serums, masks, or ampoules.