Thinking of trying collagen? What you need to know

At Red Seal we’ve always believed that beauty comes from within. And when it comes to glowing skin, it really does. From skin elasticity to suppleness and hydration, collagen is an absolute superstar at supporting a radiant complexion from the inside out.

 

So, how does collagen actually work?

Our skin is our body’s largest organ - and the part you can see with the naked eye is only its surface, the epidermis.

When it comes to maintaining a glowing, radiant complexion, it’s what’s beneath the surface that really counts. Enter, the dermis, a more substantial component of the skin’s structure lying beneath the epidermis that’s home to important things like hair follicles, sweat glands, blood vessels and nerves.

All these important components of our body are held together by connective tissue, including collagen and elastin fibres, arranged in a mesh-like formation.

The collagen fibres help support the skin’s structure and play a role in maintaining its hydration, which in turn helps maintain your skin’s strength and elasticity.

(That story your mum told you about the funny face you were pulling staying that way if the wind changed? It was never going to happen, because you were born with collagen!)

 

If we’re born with collagen, why supplement it?

Collagen is the main protein that’s found in the skin’s structure and effectively acts as the glue that holds it together.

From around the age of 25-30 onwards (and in women, especially after menopause) our collagen production starts to decline, resulting in natural changes to the skin, like fine lines and wrinkles as we progress through adulthood.

These natural age-related changes can be accelerated by lifestyle factors such as smoking, sun damage and a poor diet – all of which can also result in the generation of free radical activity.

 

Supporting your body’s collagen levels

The good news is that while most moisturisers and serums that you apply to the outside of your skin only reach its epidermal layer, you can support the collagen levels in the dermis from within.

If you’re keen to support your body’s own collagen production, great foods to include in your diet include bone broth, capsicum, garlic and turmeric. Egg whites are an important collagen builder too, and are also a natural source of biotin (read on to learn why that’s important).

 

What should I look for in a collagen supplement?

To gift your skin with a daily burst of collagen goodness, consider taking a supplement which has been specially formulated to tick all the boxes when it comes to nourishing your skin and supporting its elasticity, firmness, and glow.

 

Collagen Builder features you want in your supplements:

• Marine sourced collagen: Collagen derived from marine sources are considered more bioavailable and readily absorbed than collagen from bovine (cattle) sources
• Hydrolysed collagen peptides: These fancy words simply mean that collagen has been broken down into smaller particles so they’re easier for your body to process
• Hyaluronic acid to support moisture retention for glowing skin
• Grapeseed extract: Supports the cross-linking of collagen fibres to help maintain the strength of the collagen matrix
• Biotin: Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, but we like to refer to it as the ‘beauty vitamin’, because it’s one of the building blocks for keratin, a type of protein that helps form your hair, skin and nails
• Skin-loving antioxidants from rosehip extract
• Vitamin C which is involved in collagen formation in the body and is an antioxidant that supports cell protection from the damaging effects of pollution and UV exposure

Keep reading for more tips on supporting your skin’s hydration and how looking after your gut health and getting a good night’s sleep can work together to help you look and feel incredible.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. Vitamin and mineral supplements must not replace a balanced diet.