Ageing. It is one of those things that is unavoidable in life. Just like going through your Swiftie phase, it is a rite of passage. Now while there are some amazing things that come with ageing (did you know that you can just buy a cake and a bottle of wine whenever you want?), one of the not-so-amazing things is sagging skin.
When we’re spring chickens, our bodies naturally produce collagen which gives us that plump, youthful skin. It is the most abundant protein in the human body and acts as the ‘glue’ that keeps all of our skin, muscles and tissue together. As we age, our body starts to lose its elasticity, and external factors actually start to break down collagen. Enter: wrinkles and sagging.
Yes, okay that is a bit of a pain in the behind, but it is not the end of the world! There are plenty of natural ingredients that stimulate collagen production in skin. These are what we call collagen boosters.
Ingredients that boost collagen
Vitamin C
An absolute superstar of an ingredient, vitamin C is here to give you that much needed collagen boost. It is a key part in the body’s natural collagen production, whether applied topically or as part of collagen boosting supplements.
When incorporated into your skincare routine, vitamin C fights off DNA damage from the environment and protects the outer layer of your skin. It speeds up the collagen production process and maintains the collagen that already exists, which means less wrinkles and more of that gorgeous plump glow.
There’s a reason our Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen is packed with vitamin C - this clever little vitamin increases the effectiveness of sunscreen by decreasing cell damage. So, vitamin C and sunscreen go together like Nutella and a spoon - the perfect pair! If you want an extra hit of vitamin C to naturally boost collagen, apply a pea sized amount of our Pomegranate Brightening Serum which targets sun damage and ageing. Plus, you can soak up that sweet, sweet vitamin C from the Kakadu Plum and Bearberry found in our Bouncy Brightening Silky Booster Mask.
Once you’ve given vitamin C a well-earned place in your skincare routine, take things up a notch by adding vitamin C supplements to your day.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid (or HA for short because phew, that is a mouthful) gives your skin a big drink of water and is responsible for that plump, dewy look that is all over our mood boards. As we age, we lose HA naturally, making the skin more dehydrated and slowing down collagen production - yeah, no thank you.
HA is what is called a ‘water-binding’ component that can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water which, frankly, is just showing off. It aids in collagen production by surrounding the skin cells with water, creating the perfect environment for collagen production. “Hyaluronic acid helps to bind water to collagen, trapping it in the skin, so that skin can appear plumper, dewier and more hydrated,” says Dr Tsippora Shainhouse.
For a shot of hydration, the Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum is our number one pick. It can be used on all skin types, quickly sinks into the skin, plumps the skin and of course, gives collagen production a gentle kick up the behind. If you want a little something extra, the Hyaluronic Hydrating Booster Mask boosts hydration (as the name suggests) and the Anti-Ageing Eye Serum lifts wrinkles if those late nights are taking their toll.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fan-favourite antioxidant and anti-ageing ingredient. It fights free radicals (atoms that damage cells and break down collagen) and prevents damage to the skin and compromised collagen. We love it because it protects the skin and a deficiency can put a halt to collagen production.
The body cannot produce vitamin E on its own, so we have to consume it or add it to our skincare - both if you’re wanting top marks. Try our Golden Anti-Ageing Serum which is rich in vitamin C and E (a double whammy of collagen-boosting goodness) to plump any wrinkles that may have crept in.
Incorporating a skin supplement with vitamin E into your diet can help you get the most out of your skincare and send that collagen production into overdrive.
If you’re starting to see sagging when you look in the mirror, put the fillers down and boost collagen production naturally! Thanks to a range of skincare products and supplements, you’ll be looking plump as a grape in no time! If you have any other questions about boosting collagen, get in touch with our experts for a free consultation here.
