Looking to supplement with collagen? Unlock the secrets to youthful skin by choosing the right collagen for your beauty routine.
In the quest for ageless beauty and overall wellness, there’s a growing trend that has captured the attention of beauty enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals alike: ingestible collagen supplements.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength, elasticity, and youthful appearance of our skin, hair, and nails. While there are a few different sources available in the market, two popular options have gained significant attention – bovine collagen and marine collagen.
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of incorporating ingestible collagen into your daily routine, and why it has become a game-changer for those seeking to enhance their natural beauty from within.
Understanding collagen and its role in the body
Collagen is a protein that occurs naturally in the body, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy joints, skin elasticity, and promoting muscle growth. It serves as a crucial building block in our bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, providing the necessary structure for connective tissues.
While there are a total of 28 types of collagen, it’s worth noting supplements heavily focus on types 1, 2, and 3 due to their prevalence in the body.
- Type I: This is the most common and widely distributed collagen type in the body and forms the primary structural component of various connective tissues, including skin, tendons, bones, ligaments, and teeth
- Type II: Type II collagen is specifically found in cartilage, giving it strength and elasticity, making it vital for joint health. It’s also particularly significant for maintaining the structural integrity of joints and preventing wear and tear.
- Type III: This type of collagen shares similarities with Type I and is often found alongside it in tissues. It is a component of various connective tissues, including skin, muscles, and blood vessels.
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint pain. Research has indicated that levels start to decline from the age of 25, leading to significant consequences for our skin. Thereafter, there is a progressive loss of collagen through the decades. As levels start to decline, the collagen structure becomes more fragile and brittle, weakening the skin’s structural support. The skin loses volume and firmness and starts to thin and wrinkle.
That’s why many people turn to collagen supplements to improve their health and appearance.
What is hydrolysed collagen?
The term ‘hydrolysed collagen’ has recently taken the spotlight due to its enhanced effectiveness. It essentially emerges through a process called ‘hydrolysis’, where collagen fibres are broken down into smaller collagen chains, often referred to as ‘collagen peptides’. These smaller fragments are like the superheroes of collagen due to their remarkable ability to be readily absorbed and utilised by your body.
When ingested, those peptides can quickly get to work – whether it’s improving your skin’s hydration, reducing wrinkles, or even helping your joints move smoothly.
What are the benefits of collagen?
Ingestible collagen supplements offer a convenient and effective way to replenish the collagen levels in our bodies. By providing the necessary amino acids and peptides, these supplements stimulate collagen synthesis, helping to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Regular consumption of collagen supplements has been shown to potentially:
- enhance skin hydration, leading to a more youthful, plump, and radiant complexion
- maintain the health and strength of our hair by nourishing the hair follicles and improving blood circulation to the scalp to prevent hair thinning, breakage, and loss
- support the body’s natural repair processes, promoting faster healing of wounds and scars
So, now that we know a little bit about collagen, let’s compare the two main types of collagen supplements on the market: bovine and marine.
The difference between bovine and marine collagen
With the rise of collagen supplements, two primary sources have gained prominence: bovine and marine collagen. Each type offers distinct advantages that cater to different wellness goals.
Derived from cowhide, bovine collagen has been a staple in the beauty and wellness industry for decades. Its popularity stems from its exceptional bioavailability and versatility. Bovine collagen is rich in type I and type III collagen, which closely resemble the collagen found in human skin. This structural similarity enables bovine collagen to integrate seamlessly into our body’s collagen matrix, promoting rejuvenation from within.
One of the key advantages of bovine collagen is its wide range of benefits:
- improves skin elasticity
- reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- strengthens hair and nails
- supports joint health
- promotes gut health
Marine collagen, on the other hand, is derived from fish scales and skin, and primarily consists of type I collagen, which is also abundant in human skin.
One of the notable benefits of marine collagen lies in its potential to support skin health. Regular use of marine collagen supplements may promote skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity. Additionally, marine collagen is known to contain essential amino acids, including glycine and proline, which support the body’s natural collagen production.
What other ingredients should I be looking for in a collagen supplement?
Did you know that the effectiveness of collagen supplements can be enhanced by the inclusion of certain complementary ingredients? If you’re seeking the best results to combat the signs of aging, it’s essential to look beyond collagen and consider a well-rounded supplement that harnesses the power of synergistic ingredients.
- Hyaluronic acid: for skin hydration and plumpness: Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies that’s renowned for its ability to retain moisture. When combined with collagen, the results can be truly transformative. Hyaluronic acid works by attracting and retaining water, thereby promoting skin hydration, plumpness, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. When seeking a collagen supplement, opt for one that includes hyaluronic acid to provide comprehensive skin nourishment from within.
- Vitamin C: the collagen catalyst: Vitamin C, often celebrated for its immune-boosting properties, plays a pivotal role in collagen production. This essential vitamin is a co-factor in the synthesis of collagen, aiding in the formation of the protein’s structure. This can lead to improved skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles, and enhanced overall skin health. Look for supplements that contain ascorbic acid or other bioavailable forms of vitamin C to maximise the collagen-boosting effect.
- Zinc: aids skin repair and wound healing: Zinc contributes to the body’s ability to repair damaged skin and tissues and aids in the synthesis of collagen, supporting the body’s natural healing processes. If you’re seeking not only beauty benefits but also overall skin health and recovery, consider a collagen supplement with added zinc.
- Antioxidants: protection against free radicals: Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage to our cells, including those responsible for collagen production. Including antioxidants in your collagen supplement can help combat the harmful effects of free radicals, preserving the integrity of collagen and promoting healthy skin. Ingredients like vitamins E and A, can fortify your collagen regimen.
Choosing the right collagen for you
While both bovine and marine collagen offers an array of benefits, selecting the right collagen supplement ultimately boils down to personal preferences and dietary restrictions.
If you’re looking for a collagen supplement with a broad range of benefits, bovine collagen could be your go-to choice. Its rich amino acid profile and compatibility with the human collagen matrix make it an ideal option for overall well-being, including skin, joint, and bone health. Plus, it’s virtually tasteless – which means it seamlessly mixes into your hot or cold drinks – think plain water, smoothies, or coffee. It’s a versatile player in the kitchen, and works well with both sweet and savory recipes thanks to its neutral flavour.
Our Beauty Collagen+ 7-in-1 is a premium blend of a high-strength 5g hydrolysed collagen per serve, to support skin texture and skin regeneration and 200mg hyaluronic acid per serve to promote skin hydration and elasticity. In addition, this expertly crafted formula contains five powerful antioxidants to support healthy skin.
As always, consult with your healthcare professional or nutritionist to determine the best option based on your specific needs. Whichever collagen you choose, be sure to prioritise a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and skincare regimen to enhance the benefits of collagen supplementation. Embrace the beauty secret that collagen offers and embark on your journey toward healthier, more vibrant skin!
