5 Evidence-Based Reasons To Try Collagen For Skin [+VIDEO]

Collagen is the latest buzzword in skin care these days and for good reason. Collagen is known to have a long list of health and beauty benefits ranging from healthier hair and nails, stronger bones, joints and muscles, and even improves gut health and aids in weight loss.

But one of the major reasons why everyone is obsessing over collagen is because it has the most unbelievable skin benefits! On top of improving overall health and mobility, collagen for skin helps reverse the aging process to reveal vibrant, youthful skin free of wrinkles, cellulite, and even stretch marks.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is found in nearly every part of our body. It is a protein that helps keep everything from the connective tissues of our vital organs, joints, ligaments and tendons, to our hair, nails and the dermis layer of our skin together and functioning properly. As we age we begin to lose a significant amount of collagen each year. Additionally, we are unable to produce collagen so once we lose it, it’s gone! And because collagen has such a significant impact on how our bodies function, losing it causes some adverse side effects.

Collagen Benefits For Skin (What Science Says)

If stiff joints, achy muscles, and brittle hair, nails, and bones aren’t tough enough to endure as we age, the effects that aging has on our skin is even worse! A global self-esteem study conducted by Dove, and published in The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report, indicates that 76% of women in the United States are insecure with the way they look and don’t like what they see in the mirror [1].

Excess body fat, sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and cellulite are a few of the insecurities that women struggle with on a daily basis. Taking a collagen supplement, such as SuperYouth, on a daily basis can help reverse the side effects of aging leaving your skin looking and feeling vibrant and youthful.

Here are some of the major skin benefits you can expect by using a collagen supplement such as SuperYouth.

1. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

As we age, so do the functions and mechanisms of our collagen storage. With that, we can expect to see a steady decline of epidermal collagen (this makes up about 80% of of the protein in your skin). Without a substantial amount of collagen in our skin, we can expect to see a loss of firmness and smoothness also.

Thankfully, the amino acids found in hydrolyzed collagen (also known as collagen peptides) contain the precursors that are needed for collagen synthesis. This means that it is possible to not only stop the signs of aging in the skin, but actually reverse it! A study conducted by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Kiel in Germany found that the oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduced skin wrinkles and had positive effects on dermal matrix synthesis [2]. The subjects in this double-blind study demonstrated a 20% reduction in eye wrinkles with just 8 weeks of collagen peptide supplementation. The results lasted at least a month after the study was conducted and supplementation discontinued. Regular supplementation of hydrolyzed collagen peptides can prolong the anti-wrinkle effects.

Another study conducted in 2012 shows that after a 12 week period, women saw a 13% reduction in wrinkles and a 76% reduction in skin dryness [3]!

2. Increases skin elasticity

The elasticity in your skin is what gives it the ability to stretch and go back to normal. Without it, your skin can be loose and saggy. Elastin is the protein forming the main component of elastic connective tissue, found especially in the dermis of the skin and is responsible for giving your skin that stretchy feeling. Although elastin is in charge of keeping your skin flexible, collagen is what provides it the strength it needs to pull back to normal.

The same study conducted in 2012 discovered that the participants of the study that were given a collagen peptide supplement daily saw a noticeable difference in the elasticity of their skin [2].

3. Smooths cellulite

Cellulite is a condition that affects about 90% of women and most women start seeing the appearance of cellulite from the ages of 25 to 35. Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin creating a dimpling effect on the skin. This is resulted from an interaction between the connective tissue in the skin. Women’s connective tissue is arranged vertically and when the fat deposits protrude into the layer of skin it causes cellulite. Additionally, our estrogen levels decrease causing poor circulation in the skin. Poor circulation means less oxygen in the area, resulting in lower collagen production. Fat cells also enlarge as estrogen levels fall.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that “Dietary supplementation with collagen peptides has demonstrated a notably stimulatory effect on dermal cellular metabolism, improving the biosynthesis of extracellular matrix proteins and, consequently, restoring dermal structure.” The subjects of their long-term study saw a decent decrease in the degree of cellulite and “reduced skin waviness,” along with improved dermal density [4].

4. Reduces the appearance of stretch marks and acne scars

Stretch marks occur when your body grows faster than what your skin’s collagen can handle. The best way to get rid of stretch marks and to decrease your chances of getting stretch marks in the future is to take a hydrolyzed collagen supplement daily. Collagen strengthens the elastin in your skin which allows your body to stretch and stay strong. When your skin lacks the strength to maintain the firmness as your skin expands, you can get stretch marks or loose skin.

5. Protects against sun damage

The primary light absorbers in skin are hemoglobin and melanin. UV rays from the sun can damage these cells and decrease the antioxidants found in our skin. The same study that conducted the anti-wrinkle research discovered that collagen peptide supplementation increased microvascular blood circulation in hemoglobin. They discovered that the amount of hemoglobin found in their subjects significantly increased by 17.7% by week 6 of the study and by 15% by week 12 [2].

Best Collagen Supplement For Skin

In order to combat the physical signs of aging, taking a daily collagen supplement is essential. SuperYouth is a hydrolyzed collagen peptide blend that uses 5 types of collagen (Type I, II, II, V, X) from 3 different sources (grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, cage-free chickens, and wild-caught pacific Snapper). The five types of collagen used promote youthful looking skin, hair, and nails, improve bone and joint health, promote healthy weight, and support digestion. You can visit this link to read more about SuperYouth and how you can start reversing the aging process with just one scoop a day with no pain, and no downtime!

Did I mention that because SuperYouth is flavorless and odorless, it can be mixed quickly and easily with any food, or hot or cold beverage, making your fight against aging easier and more convenient than ever. Check out our collagen beauty recipes for creative ideas on how you can use collagen every day!