Collagen drinks are one of many extra controversial instruments within the magnificence and wellness trade’s anti-ageing arsenal. Within the seek for new and efficient methods to assist us wanting youthful for longer, the suggestion of merely taking one drink a day sounds tempting, however how efficient are they actually at enhancing your pores and skin?
We spoke to pores and skin specialists for 2 collagen drink manufacturers, Skinade and Magnificence & Go, to reply the questions which have sprung up round their merchandise and to debate whether or not you’d profit by incorporating collagen drinks into your skincare regime.
What’s collagen?
Collagen is a naturally-occurring protein within the human physique, which supplies structural assist on your tissues and muscle groups. It is usually what offers your pores and skin elasticity, which means, usually, the extra you’ve the youthful and extra supple your pores and skin appears to be like.
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Why do we have to complement our pure collagen ranges?
Sadly, our pure collagen ranges deplete as we age, particularly as soon as girls attain the menopause, which ends up in the wrinkles and lack of firmness seen in older pores and skin.
“Our natural collagen production slows down from our early 20s by 1-1.5 per cent every year and by the time you turn 50, most individuals will have lost about 50 per cent of the collagen in your skin,” reveals the plastic surgeon and pores and skin skilled for Skinade, Dr Paul Banwell. “This can lead to sagging, thinning and wrinkles.”
Collagen depletion, nonetheless, doesn’t occur on the similar charge for everybody. “The rate will depend on various lifestyle factors, such as diet, sun exposure, sleep and stress levels plus genetics and hormones,” Daisy Whitbread, resident nutritionist for Magnificence & Go, goes on to elucidate.
That signifies that carrying sunscreen and limiting your time within the solar, in addition to dwelling a wholesome, balanced way of life , will help shield towards prematurely dropping collagen ranges – and they need to be a part of any efficient anti-ageing routine – however such actions are unable to reverse the method.
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How do collagen drinks work?
Collagen drinks are designed to assist ‘prime up’ your pure collagen ranges, serving to keep away from the consequences of collagen depletion earlier than they happen.
Crucially although: “It is key to understand that collagen drinks do not add the collagen peptides you drink directly to the dermis, but rather the collagen peptides act as a feedback mechanism to trigger your own natural collagen production,” explains Banwell.
Whereas some dermatologists have contended it, “it’s believed that the presence of the collagen fragments sends false signals to the body, indicating that collagen destruction has occurred. This stimulates the collagen-producing cells, called fibroblasts, to produce more of your own natural collagen,” explains Whitbread. “The formulation of elastin (which gives skin elasticity) and hyaluronic acid (for hydration) are also stimulated.”
The end result, arguably, is a rise in your physique’s collagen ranges, which in flip leads to a a more healthy, firmer complexion.
Is not collagen too massive to be absorbed into the bloodstream?
“Collagen molecules are indeed too large to be absorbed into the bloodstream, but the collagen in collagen drinks and other formulations is hydrolysed”, explains Tariq Karim, doctoral analysis fellow at Santi London, who works with Skinade. Which means the collagen molecules have been damaged into smaller items, known as peptides, which have a really low molecular weight, making them extra simply absorbed within the intestine.
Are all collagen drinks the identical?
“To be absorbed before the digestive process kicks in, the collagen peptides need to be in liquid form”, Banwell reveals. “You need to ingest 6,000mg of collagen peptides daily to trigger fibroblast activity in the dermis. That’s why each daily dose of Skinade provides 7,000mg of collagen peptides to compensate for any shortfall in absorption.”
Something much less and you’re unlikely to see any outcomes, so make your funding properly.
Is there medical analysis?
Put merely, sure, however the research are sometimes the results of medical analysis performed through the manufacturers themselves. That mentioned, “there are studies that show that collagen arrives at the dermis [meaning the collagen peptides are indeed absorbed before the digestive process in the stomach starts], as well as studies that show ingested collagen stimulates the body’s ability to produce its own collagen”, reveals Dr Karim.
“In two unbiased medical research, it been confirmed that the kind of collagen peptides utilized in Skinade are absorbed into the bloodstream and in a current double-blind, placebo-controlled case research, members noticed a rise in collagen density, pores and skin hydration and pores and skin elasticity after ingesting Skinade for 90 days, in comparison with a management group,” confirms Banwell.
“Magnificence& Go has additionally been confirmed in laboratory research to achieve the tissues inside 12 hours of ingestion”, claims Whitbread.
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When ought to I begin taking collagen drinks?
“As with most issues in life, prevention is healthier than the treatment, so the sooner you begin taking collagen the higher. I might suggest beginning in your late twenties to early thirties to get one of the best outcomes”, states Whitebread.
“It’s dependent on what your own objectives are and your lifestyle, but generally taking the drinks in your 30s would be beneficial both in terms of enhancement and prevention”, Tariq Karim concurs.
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Are they appropriate for everybody?
No. Plenty of collagen drinks should not vegetarian, as a result of “collagen is mainly derived from either fish [marine collagen] or pigs [bovine collagen]”, explains Dr Karim.
“It is often not very clear what types of collagen are used in different products and what their origin is – you often have to refer to the small print to find out”, confirms Banwell. “Skinade is dairy, lactose and gluten free and does not contain porcine or bovine collagen” – it makes use of marine collagen, so is appropriate for pescetarians.
For a vegan different, strive The Magnificence Chef’s , or silica capsules.
Collagen dietary supplements are additionally not really helpful for ladies who’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
What about anti-ageing skincare, corresponding to so-called ‘collagen lotions’?
“Analysis has proven that taking collagen orally (for instance as a collagen drink) enhances its availability in contrast with making use of it in a cream”, reveals Whitbread. “The optimistic results of oral collagen are additionally longer lasting than these of a face cream. It’s because collagen taken orally impacts the deeper layers of the pores and skin, concentrating on the dermal layer, which is the place collagen losses happen.”
“Lotions alternatively, are likely to have their results totally on the dermis – the highest pores and skin layer. The seen enhancements noticed with lotions are primarily attributable to elevated hydration, quite than the deeper structural adjustments achieved with collagen supplementation.”
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Will specializing in a nutritious diet work higher?
“To be clear, collagen drinks are not a replacement for a healthy and balanced lifestyle”, warns Banwell. “However, a healthy lifestyle does not prevent collagen loss, so it is really two different things. Collagen drinks are designed to trigger a physiological response in the body, irrelevant of lifestyle. It’s a bit like asking if a healthy lifestyle means you don’t need to wear SPF. Of course you do and must! The functionality of collagen drinks cannot be achieved by anything you eat.”
Whitbread agrees: “This is not a question of either but of doing both. We advise all of our customers to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, while also taking their daily Beauty & Go.” It will maintain your pores and skin and your physique in optimum well being.
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