Calling all collagen lovers! It's the beauty buzzword that's been around for centuries, and it won't be falling off the trends any time soon. From moisturisers and serums to shampoos and - finally - supplements, collagen is shaping the beauty space in a big way, with more and more of us intrigued by its many benefits.
But what exactly is this so-called savvy ingredient, and what do we need to know about collagen supplements? That's where we come in...
What is collagen?
You've likely heard of this buzzword when it comes to beauty, but what about when it comes to your body? Dr Alia Ahmed, consultant dermatologist, explains. "Collagen is a multi-functioning protein in the human body and the building block of the skin."Found naturally in our skin, collagen helps to keep our complexions looking plump and youthful - a pretty important contribution, if you ask us.
What are the benefits of collagen?
Buckle up, because it turns out collagen plays a super significant part in our ageing journey. "Collagen makes up 70% of our skin and begins to deplete at a rate of 1.5% from our mid-twenties, which can impact our skin, hair and nails," says Dr Ahmed. "It plays a major role in the structure of the skin, providing its elasticity, hydration, and strength."
Collagen production can begin to slow from your mid to late twenties - which is pretty grim news, we're sad to report. Depleting collagen levels can be caused by many factors, including ageing, smoking, stress, UV exposure, and even genetics.
What do I need to know about ingestible collagen?
With any ingestible, always do your research. "Ingestible collagen can act as a messenger to trigger synthesis and reorganisation of new collagen fibres," says Dr Ahmed. "I would always advise opting for liquid collagen sachets because you get more of a concentrated dose of key ingredients which can be packed into a small serving. Liquid collagen is also digested and absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly and efficiently than solid supplements."
There are also different types of collagen to be aware of:
"When looking at oral collagen supplementation, it's important to look at the collagen source (e.g. marine, bovine), type (hydrolysed, dipeptide, tripeptide) and content (g/d), as well as how you should take it (capsule or liquid form) when making your choice," explains Dr Ahmed. "This is important to determine its efficacy - type 1 hydrolysed marine collagen has been scientifically proven to be the most bioavailable to the body."
What are the best collagen supplements?
Noticing those pesky signs of ageing? Or looking for preventative methods to delay the depletion process? When it comes to the best collagen supplements, Dr Ahmed is on-hand with her top recommendations:
"I'd recommend Revive Collagen, who include some of the highest doses of type 1 liquid marine collagen available - from 8,500-10,000mg of marine collagen, plus a variety of added ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and essential vitamins for beauty and wellbeing," she shares. "Vitamins B6, B12, C & D offer antioxidant properties, contribute toward normal collagen formation and work to visibly brighten skin tone."
