How to achieve smoother skin
COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS ARE AN ‘INSIDE-OUT’ APPROACH TO ATTAINING A YOUTHFUL GLOW
IF YOU’VE looked in the mirror recently and thought your skin has lost its youthful glow, you might be tempted to splash out on one of the latest collagen powder supplements. Derived from animals or fish in the form of easily digestible peptides, they’re an “inside-out” approach to skincare, and fuelled by celebrity endorsements including Hollywood A-lister, Jennifer Aniston, who’s been adding Vital Proteins collagen to her morning coffee for more than four years. Collagen is an impressive family of proteins abundant in the human body that helps to support hair, skin, nail, bone, and joint health, but from our 20s onwards production naturally slows, leading to wrinkles, dryness, and sagging skin. It’s been used for centuries in Chinese medicine, and in beauty as an expensive injectable in the 1980s, and more recently in topical creams and capsules.
This booming global industry is projected to reach a whopping $Us4.1bn by 2025, with Asia-pacific one of the fastest growing markets, led by countries including Australia. But despite the popularity of collagen powder supplements, questions remain. Can you really eat or drink your way to smoother skin? And how do you choose the right product? We asked the experts:
DOS
“Most marketing claims for collagen supplements are made by industryfunded studies that have a degree of reporting bias,” says dermatologist Dr Anita Patel. “However, there is soft evidence that collagen supplements containing collagen tripeptides may lead to some reduction in facial wrinkles, notably around the eyes and ‘crows feet’, and lead to a firmer skin texture with an increased ‘glow’.”
Patel says collagen supplements are not uniform in ingredients, and anyone with allergies needs to beware. “Given that they are derived from animal sources, allergic reactions can occur, which may manifest as a rash, abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea.
And if a person is severely allergic, they may experience swelling of the mouth and tongue, and breathing distress.”
Collagen supplements aren’t a quick fix; you need to take one for about four to 12 weeks to see results.
Therefore, it’s important to continue using quality skincare products and sunscreen. “Lifestyle measures for great skin include reducing alcohol and getting enough sleep as our cells repair overnight,” Patel says.
DON’TS
Fiona Tuck, a skin expert, nutritional medicine practitioner, and founder of the beauty supplement brand, Vita Sol, was a former “collagen sceptic”. “I did my research, I’ve been taking collagen, and I’m an advocate because I’ve seen improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, even my cellulite,” she says.
I’ve seen improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, even my cellulite
Although bovine collagen tends to be cheaper than marine collagen,
Tuck recommends avoiding anything with a price point that’s too good to be true or contains fillers. “Look at what’s in a product, and how much collagen you are getting per serve to make sure you’re taking enough to have an effect. On average that’s between four to 15g, depending on why you’re taking it.”
Tuck says don’t be tempted to add collagen powder to anything which needs to be cooked or boiled for a long time as peptides are destroyed by heat. “I prefer unflavoured collagen because I can put it in my coffee,” she says. “The peptides are heat-stable at 100C, and a coffee isn’t higher than that.”
TRY THESE
Kissed Earth Brilliance: bovine collagen, kissedearth.com.au $79.95 or by subscription (30 serves) Vida Glow Original: marine collagen, ausnz.vidaglow.com $70 or subscription (30 serves) Vita Sol Collagen Boost: marine collagen, vita-sol.com $69 (30 serves)