Written by Nutritional Therapist Kate Fisk.
Understanding Collagen and Skin Health
It would be impossible for anyone keeping even half an eye on health and beauty trends not to have noticed an increase in the popularity of collagen powder. Collagen converts claim improved skin health among its many benefits.
But what exactly is collagen, and is there any science to back up these claims? In a nutshell, collagen is a protein that does a great job of holding us together. Produced naturally in the body, it forms part of our connective tissue, providing bones with structure, strengthening our tendons and ligaments, protecting our internal organs and keeping our skin supple and hydrated.
Our skin comprises three layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. And it’s in the middle layer, the dermis, where we find collagen. Formed into a strong network of fibres, it provides strength and elasticity.
Unfortunately, collagen production starts to wane in our mid to late twenties and takes a substantial hit in the first few years post-menopause.
Collagen formation is also hampered by too much sun exposure (sunburn), poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Any of these factors can cause an increase in free radicals, leading to oxidative stress, which puts the brakes on collagen production.
So, over time, our skin can become drier and less plump, and fine lines can begin to appear.
Can Collagen Powder Benefit Your Skin?
There’s still some debate about how collagen powders work. One theory is that once digested, collagen peptides break down into individual amino acids, the building blocks of protein, ensuring the body has the precise ingredients it needs for collagen production. Another is that the presence of these specific amino acids ‘tricks’ the body into thinking there’s been a breakdown of collagen and stimulates production to compensate for the loss.
Bovine and marine are the two most popular types of collagen available in supplemental form. Marine collagen, such as that found in Skinful, consists of type 1 collagen, the most abundant type in the human body (geek fact: there are at least 28 different types of collagen found in the human body). Marine collagen has a smaller molecular weight than bovine collagen and is more easily absorbed. In addition, it has higher amounts of the amino acid glycine, which improves skin elasticity and hydration.
Several studies confirm the benefit of marine collagen supplementation for skin health. A 2023 meta-analysis (the crème de la crème of research) involving over 1700 participants concluded that supplementing with marine collagen significantly improves skin elasticity after 90 days of use. It also noted that it was the best source of collagen for enhancing skin hydration.
And a 2018 study confirms the benefits of marine collagen for skin health. After just six weeks of supplementation, study participants reported an improvement in skin hydration and, after 12 weeks, an improvement in elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
The Role of Diet and Lifestyle for Skin Health
As well as taking marine collagen, there’s more we can do to make sure we have the foundations in place to support our skin health:
Hydration – our cells are made mostly of water, so ensuring we’re hydrated helps keep our skin plump. It also supports flushing out toxins, helping keep our complexion clear. Starting the day with a glass of water with a small pinch of sea salt is a great way to get your hydration on track.
Sweat! – by any means necessary. This could be vigorous exercise, a sauna, a hot bath, or whatever floats your boat. Sweating is another way to remove toxins. Upping our temperature boosts circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and vital nutrients to your skin.
Antioxidants – we’ve already mentioned the damaging effects of free radicals. One of the best ways of keeping them in check is making sure you include lots of different coloured fresh fruits and vegetables, which are packed with antioxidants.
Nutrients – we need certain nutrients to nourish our skin. The main ones are vitamins A, C and E, zinc, copper and selenium. Swerving processed and sugary foods and combining lots of whole foods, good quality protein, and nuts and seeds (just 2 Brazil nuts a day provide you with all the selenium you need) should ensure you get your daily quota of all you need to support healthy skin.
Omega-3s – both omega-6 and omega-3 play a vital role in our skin health, but we need to consume them in the right balance. Most of us consume way too many omega-6s – one of the easiest ways of righting this wrong is by taking a daily dose of fish oil.
Chill - stress can play havoc with our skin. Making time to do things you love helps keep stress levels manageable.
Sleep – this should be your priority. While we snooze, our skin gets to rejuvenate and repair.
Incorporating Collagen into Your Daily Routine
There are no hard and fast rules for incorporating collagen into your daily routine. You just need to find a way that works for you. Some find taking collagen before bed improves sleep quality due to its glycine content. But others prefer incorporating it into their morning routine.
Skinful Pure Marine Collagen Powder is unflavoured, heat-stable and easily dissolvable in tea, coffee, smoothies, soups, or even your favourite healthy snack recipe.
As vitamin C is not heat-stable, you can enjoy our naturally strawberry-flavoured Marine Collagen Powder Plus Vitamin C mixed into any cold food or drink.
We recommend taking 5g daily, roughly equal to 3 teaspoons.
Contact Us for Further Collagen and Skin Health Support
At Bare Biology, both of our collagen powders are sourced from MSC-certified, sustainably sourced, wild Norwegian cod skin. They’re also third-party tested for purity – you can download the test report on each product page.To learn more about our collage supplements, visit the Skinful collection page, or get in touch via info@barebiology.com.
