How to Boost Collagen Production
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Over the last few months, I’ve had to take a lot of photos and videos of myself testing and swatching beauty products for our upcoming Best of Beauty awards. And not to get all emo on a Friday morning, but after staring at the dozens (maybe even hundreds) of selfies, I’m not feeling all that great about my face right now. It’s gotten so bad that I’ve started to nit-pick every potential “wrong” thing about it, like lately I’ve been hyper-fixating on the overall dissymmetry, subtle sagging, and new brown patches of melasma. 😅
While there’s nothing I can do about my facial anatomy in terms of symmetry (thanks, mom and dad) outside of facial filler, I do have an appointment for a post-summer laser treatment to tackle the hyperpigmentation. As for the sagging, well, here’s the thing:
"As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which can cause our skin to lose its elasticity, creating that saggy, jowl-like look."
That drop-off can start as early as our mid-twenties. Ya’ll, I’m 33. 😬 And it’s becoming more and more clear to me that my collagen production is beginning to taper. The good news is that there are ways to amp up collagen development as you get older, and some of those tricks are as easy as adding a strategic ingredient to your routine. That being said, here’s how I boost collagen production in my daily skin-care routine:
Retinol: The vitamin A derivative, known for its fine line-fighting and breakout-busting superpowers, is also incredible at increasing cell turnover, which can boost collagen production. While I use Altreno, a topical tretinoin prescription, there are lots of great over-the-counter options, like Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment and the SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0.
Peptides: While there are a lot of collagen serums on the market, let me be the bearer of bad news: topical collagen treatments don’t actually do much. Instead, look for peptides (chains of amino acids), like "dipeptide," "tripeptide," and "hexapeptide" on the ingredient label. “Peptides are not as extensively studied as retinoids, [but] they are a great option for those with sensitive skin who may not be able to reach for something like retinol,” dermatologist Courtney Rubin, MD, previously told Allure. My current favorite peptide-spiked serums are SkinCeuticals’ P-Tiox Wrinkle-Modulating Peptide Serum and Naturium Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum.
Sunscreen: “The most important action to prevent the breakdown of collagen is to always apply sunscreen,” dermatologist Sherry Ingraham, MD, previously told Allure. You don’t have to tell me twice. I’m constantly reapplying SPF throughout the day (and as much as I can while wearing makeup without making a mess). I go through tubes of Supergoop Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF 50 and the Best of Beauty-winning KraveBeauty Beet the Sun SPF 40.
These are just three of the ways I keep collagen production top of mind when it comes to my skin-care routine. (For even more tips, read our full report here.) And in the meantime, I’m going to work on being kinder to myself—and my reflection.
Reader Question
I’ve been swimming a lot this summer and my nails are super brittle. How do I get them to stop breaking?
— asks Anonymous Allure Reader
Dear Reader,
Go bare. Give your nails some TLC in-between manicures and add a strengthener to your nail-care routine, along with a hydrating cuticle oil.
Have a burning skin-care question? Send one in.
Editor's Pick
BEST OVER-THE-COUNTER RETINOL: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream
Smooths fine lines and clears breakouts over time
Formulated with 1% retinol
Spiked with soothing ingredients, like chamomile, to balance the powerful retinol strength
Quick Tip
While we’re on the topic of boosting collagen production, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the growing number of ingestible powders on the market today that claim to do just that. The thing is, though, there’s simply no data to prove these add-to-water concoctions actually boost anything.
And even if there was some sort of scientific evidence that guzzling daily DIY skin-firming cocktails worked—which, again, there’s not—"[collagen] doesn't know where to go in your body—it’s not like that," dietician and nutritionist Keri Gans previously told Allure. Meaning, that even after you’ve chugged your drink, the alleged benefits wouldn’t immediately spring to your face.
So skip the powders, and instead, add a topical retinol to your skin-care routine.
Book Club
Somewhere to Stay by Grace Turner
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ .5 out of 5
Warning: You must enjoy spicy, forced-proximity age-gap romances in order to read this book. It’s so hot and steamy I’m almost embarrassed to recommend it here, but I’ll be brave. Stacy’s Ryder’s single mom has it going on, and his BFF, Theo, is very interested—and now they’re roommates. What could possibly go wrong? 😅
Originally Appeared on Allure
