Most of us have heard of collagen and that it’s very important for maintaining a youthful skin. Actually, it’s the make-or-break molecule for healthy and youthful skin; but how much do you know about it? Collagen is part of the skin’s structure that helps maintain elasticity which in turn keeps us looking youthful. It is the most important factor for visibly healthy skin, and that’s why it’s used as an ingredient in many skincare products and treatments. In addition, it can also be used in the form of collagen powder or collagen drinks, which if taken, can boost collagen regeneration in the body.
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Collagen for Healthy and Youthful Skin
It’s a Glue
Collagen comes from the Greek word “kolla” which means “glue.” So, the word collagen literally means “producer of glue.”
Important for Maintaining a Healthy Skin
Collagen accounts for around 75% of youthful skin, forming the main structural element of the skin in the dermis layer. It provides the structure which supports the epidermis and gives your skin its youthful fullness. When collagen molecules are damaged, skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag, wrinkle, and age.
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Regulated Fibroblasts
In addition to its structural role, collagen also regulates the activity of fibroblasts in the skin. Fibroblasts are the cells that are responsible for rebuilding the connective tissue, and they play a critical role in the healing of wounds.
Collagen Needs Plenty of Vitamin C
In order to maintain healthy skin function, and to help with the natural production of collagen, it’s important to have a bioavailable source of vitamin C.
Less Collagen is Produced as we Age
As the body ages, it loses the ability to produce new collagen. This affects the production and activity of the fibroblasts, which, in turn, produce less and less collagen over time.
Factors that Cause Collagen Depletion
While depletion of collagen is ultimately inevitable, it’s important to know that there are several factors that speed it up. These offenders include smoking, excessive sun exposure, and pollution, to name a few.
Collagen Can be Rebuilt
If you want to hold on to a youthful skin, the best thing for you would be to rebuild your collagen. This can be done by undergoing certain collagen-regenerating treatments or procedures or simply going bottoms up on a collagen drink like Skinade. These drinks are known to nourish the skin from the inside, allowing for a more youthful, glowing and radiant complexion.
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