No matter how many green smoothies we drink, how often we hit the gym, or how religiously we stick to our skincare routines, there's one fact we can't escape: collagen levels decline as we age! It's all part of getting older, and while we're all about embracing the ageing process with grace and confidence, the effects of dwindling collagen can leave us feeling less than our best.
So, what's the deal with this collagen decline, and what can we do to keep our skin glowing and our bodies feeling great? Let’s take a closer look…
Why Do Our Collagen Levels Decline?
First up, let's dive into why our collagen starts to dip as we get older. Collagen is a superstar protein found in our skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Fun fact: it makes up 30% of our body’s protein and a whopping 70% of our skin! This connective tissue is crucial for keeping everything firm and elastic—basically, it's what helps our skin stay bouncy and youthful.
When we're young, our bodies are collagen-making machines. But, starting in our mid-twenties, production begins to slow down. At first, the changes are barely noticeable, but by the time we hit our thirties and forties, the signs become more obvious. You might see thinning hair, drier and duller skin, and those pesky lines and wrinkles. And it's not just about looks—less collagen can also mean muscle aches, weaker bones, and stiff joints.
Plus, our lifestyle and environment don't do us any favours. Pollution, chemicals, smoking, and alcohol can all speed up collagen breakdown. So, it’s a bit of a double whammy: ageing naturally decreases collagen, and our environment can make it even worse.
How Can We Increase Collagen Naturally?
We all wish there was a magical trick to stop the natural drop in collagen production, but alas, there isn’t. However, there are plenty of things we can do to keep our collagen levels healthy and strong.
If you’re starting to notice the effects of ageing and aren’t keen on turning to aesthetic treatments to keep your skin plump and youthful, it can be tricky to know where to start. We all know that a healthy lifestyle, plenty of sleep, regular exercise, and a good diet are key to looking and feeling younger for longer. But how do we specifically target those all-important collagen levels?
Take a Collagen Supplement
One of the easiest and most effective ways to boost your collagen is by taking a daily collagen supplement, like our best-selling Dewty Daily Collagen. Collagen supplements, especially hydrolysed collagen like this one, have been shown to promote collagen production in as little as four weeks. These supplements are packed with collagen peptides, which are short chains of amino acids that make up collagen and are small enough to be easily absorbed by your body. Ingesting collagen daily comes with a host of visible benefits: reduced wrinkles, healthier and firmer skin, stronger and longer nails, and thicker, more resilient hair. But it doesn’t stop there! Collagen can also help with less joint pain, more flexibility, increased energy, and a strong, well-supported immune system.
Load Up On Antioxidants
Antioxidants like vitamin C are your best friends in the fight against free radical damage. Whether you’re eating them or applying them to your skin, antioxidants can reduce collagen breakdown by decreasing the amount of free radicals in the skin. Vitamin C, in particular, supports the production of collagen and helps manage its stability. Without it, new collagen can’t be properly made.
Make Good Lifestyle Choices
While you can’t control certain factors in collagen decline like your genes and age, there are plenty of things you can do to slow the process. Wearing sunscreen regularly is a big one. UV exposure is a direct hit to the collagen in your skin, so protecting yourself from the sun is crucial. Staying active, keeping hydrated, and eating a balanced diet are also key if you want to keep your collagen levels boosted. Think of it as a holistic approach to collagen care!
Ready To Get Started With Collagen?
There's only so much you can do to slow the natural decline of collagen in your skin. But knowing the factors you can control, like avoiding UV damage and doing your best to support your collagen production—by taking a supplement like Dewty Daily Collagen—can go a long way toward giving you healthy-looking, radiant skin in the future.