5 Healthy Skin Habits to Boost Collagen Production
Collagen preservation is paramount in any skincare routine. We believe a holistic approach to prevent breakdown is a great place to start to ensure collagen levels do not drop at a faster rate than normal. The most obvious signs of a reduction of collagen production are wrinkly skin, shrinking and weakening muscles, joining problems, and even Gastrointestinal problems due to thinning of the lining in your digestive tract.
Luckily, there are a few ways your body can produce collagen.
We recommend avoiding any collagen destroying behaviours and factors where possible, and instead engage in some of these healthy skin habits:
1. Wear sunscreen
The best ever beauty tip is applying sunscreen throughout the day. Just once in the morning is not good enough and will not protect the skin from the harmful UVAs and UVBs that decrease the skin’s collagen content, leading to premature ageing. Even on cloudy days apply and re-apply sunscreen. The sun is public enemy number one when it comes to our skin so make sure sunscreen is applied every two hours on the face and body. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation.
Also, wear a hat and sunglasses (to protect your delicate eye area!).
The best sunscreens for protecting your skin against collagen reduction are:
Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 (Hydrating or Mattifying)
Ultraceuticals’ best-selling, hydrating, non-whitening, and lightweight formula protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays to help prevent the skin from premature ageing.
Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30
Ultraceuticals’ broad Spectrum sun protection, ideal for everyday use. It has a fast absorbing and non-whitening, and comes in different formulas for oilier complexions, drier skin types and a sheer tint for providing a hint of colour.
We recommend pairing your Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser with Ultraceuticals’ Ultra Protective Antioxidant Complex. It is an advanced serum formulated with a powerful complex of antioxidants including Silymarin (Milk Thistle), Vitamin C derivative, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid that help protect against non-UV environmental stressors.
DermaQuest SheerZinc SPF30
SheerZinc SPF 30 is a sunscreen that not only softens signs of aging but also has a restorative effect on your skin’s previous sun exposure. This 100% physical sunscreen is light enough to wear under makeup and harnesses the power of zinc oxide to guard and protect your skin; this mineral based sunscreen absorbs quickly, working to elegantly shelter your skin. This sunscreen also comes in Tinted Nude, Sunkissed and Tan.
Order our Ultraceuticals and DermQuest SPFs by filling in this order form.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Broadspectrum SPF 30
A lightweight, mineral powder with SPF protection which comes in four shades.
2. Eat your collagen
The body produces collagen by combining amino acids and certain nutrients, so the best food sources are protein-rich animal foods (or go for a bowl of bone broth for a concentrated dose of collagen) and plants such as beans and legumes. Nutrients like zinc, copper and Vitamin C also play an important role in collagen production so definitely include fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains into your diet.
3. Take a collagen supplement
A collagen-boosting skin care routine should work both internally and externally. Research has shown that collagen supplements can prevent early signs of ageing by maintaining skin elasticity and boosting moisture levels.
There are a lot of collagen supplements on the market nowadays. However, the supplements industry can often be a confusing world. Which brand do you try? Who has the best product? Which expert voice should you be listening to?
After a lot of research, we decided to partner with the Advanced Nutrition Programme to bring our clients the very best supplements. The Advanced Nutrition Programme (ANP) is an award-winning range of skin supplements designed to support healthy skin and help enhance your overall wellbeing. Their products are thoroughly tested to ensure their effectiveness before they are available to purchase. Head to our online store to shop the Advanced Nutrition Programme range.
ANP’s Skin Collagen Support supplement helps activate your skin’s collagen. Harnessing the synergy of five ingredients (Vitamin C, zinc, MSM, grapeseed extract and melon concentrate), their clever cocktail builds and safeguards collagen helping to maintain levels for supple, younger-looking skin.
4. Hydrate hydrate hydrate!
Hydration is essential for maintaining skin health. Water rejuvenates the skin and enhances the complexion. That’s because hydration supports the structure of the skin and is essential in the formation of collagen. ‘Chains of collagen molecules are held together by water bridges that are essential to their structure. Without water, collagen molecules become unstable. The best way to hydrate the skin and cells is to drink water, ideally spring water. Other ways are to consume soups, water-rich fruits and veggies, and organic herbal teas’ - pages 168-169, The Beauty Diet, David Wolfe.
If you’re not so great at getting in your two litres of water a day, try eating these water-rich fruits and veggies to help top up your hydration levels:
Cucumbers: 96%
Lettuce 96%
Celery 95%
Radishes 95%
Zucchini 95%
Tomatoes 94%
Green cabbage 93%
Cauliflower 92%
Spinach 92%
Strawberries 92%
Watermelon 92%
Broccoli 91%
Grapefruit 91%
Cantaloupe 90%
Source: The Beauty Diet, David Wolfe
5. Add collagen to your skincare routine
As we get older our skin loses its elasticity and production of collagen decreases. However, there are some wonderful products and treatments in Auckland that will help boost collagen production. Look for serums that have the active ingredients retinol (for the evening) and Vitamin C (for the daytime). For more information about loss of collagen, have a read of this informative blog on the Ultraceuticals website.