What is Collagen?
In the skincare world, there are many ingredients that seem to come up time and time again; retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, and peptides, just to list a few. One, however, seems to pop up in places ranging from your creams and serums to chocolate and smoothies: collagen.
What exactly is collagen?
Put simply, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. While we often associate it with aging and how our skin looks, it’s actually quite important in keeping several parts of your body held together, such as ligaments, bones, and muscles. When it comes to your skin, collagen forms a network of cells called fibroblasts, which helps new cells grow while also replacing and restoring dead skin cells. As we grow older, the collagen in our skin degrades, which in turn decreases the production of these new cells and slows the restoration of dead cells, leading to wrinkles and loss of plumpness. So, what can you do about it?
Increasing collagen production
There are several products and treatments that can help your skin produce more collagen, thereby reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.
One of these treatments is MPL Face, which is based around the skin’s ability to rejuvenate itself when stimulated. Through a series of several micro-punctures, your body increases the production of collagen and elastin to heal, helping the skin appear firmer while also reducing the appearance of scarring.
Two ingredients that work on a similar principle are retinol and hyaluronic acid. By gently exfoliating the skin, the body rushes to produce collagen.
For normal and acne-prone skin types, products with retinol are more likely to get along with your skin. One amazing product with retinol is Auteur’s Definitive Retinol Serum. Its powerful formula utilizes encapsulated retinol and bakuchiol to increase collagen production and push cellular turnover further, in turn reducing hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity. Antioxidants and skin-soothing ceramides help keep the skin hydrated and free of irritation, making it ideal for most skin types.
If your skin is more on the dry side, then products containing hyaluronic acid are a better fit for you. If your routine needs a product that will help boost hydration while also helping with collagen production, then cap it off with Silk Plus, one of Biologique Recherche’s finishing serums. Making use of hyaluronic acid, cucumber, and silk extracts, your skin is left feeling soothed and hydrated.
While there are many ways to help your skin maintain collagen, it’s important to find the right routine that suits your unique skin type. If you want to learn more about how you can help your skin stay radiant and healthy, you can get a consultation from our expert estheticians!
