Natural Ways to Help Boost Collagen

Did you know that collagen in our body is responsible for plump, firm, smooth skin but as we age our collagen supply is depleted, resulting in lines and sagging. It reduces at a rate of about 1% per year++ This means that we can naturally lose almost half the collagen from our skin by the age of 50 and this can can happen even faster with too much exposure to the sun and environmental toxins like pollution!

So what is Collagen?

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), collagen can be defined as a glue-like substance that is highly durable. It actually makes up one-third of our body protein! Collagen is a network of proteins naturally produced in the body that are high in amino acids proline and hydroxyproline. This substance is responsible for strengthening blood vessels and giving our skin its elasticity. Naturally as we age, we produce less collagen which causes wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen is also responsible for having strong and healthy nails and hair! It’s actually the most common protein found in the body as it makes up to 30% of the protein in the body and 70% of the protein in the skin●!

Collagen in plastic surgery is quite popular as it is injected into the face to plump skin. However, you don’t need to be injected with needles and harsh chemicals to reap the benefits of collagen! By using natural products rich in collagen, this can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Natural and painless, who doesn’t want that!

My favourite collagen boosters

Shower Head Attachment
In a world first, the Waters Co Therapy Shower Filter includes collagen that is naturally sourced from the ocean, through its Vitamin C chlorine shower filter! When you shower, he Vitamin C works to neutralise the chlorine, the warm water opens up the pores in your skin and it becomes more susceptible to absorbing products. The collagen is released from the shower head which can be absorbed through the skin.

Facial Mask
Perhaps the most relaxing way to help absorb collagen is by using a facial mask! The 100% Pure Ginseng Collagen Boost Mask is complexion boosting and soothing. This mask is actually made with 95% Organic Aloe Water and 5% Plant Cellulose. Rich in ginseng which may help form connective tissue including collagen and natural Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is a key component of Restylane injections which studies have shown help to stimulate collagen production by surrounding fibroblasts (the skin cells that produce collagen) with water++. It is also known to protect existing collagen in the area. This mask is really easy to use because once you remove the mask, there’s no need to wash the residue off. The hydrogel formula allows the nutrients melt into the skin.



Liquid Supplement
A simple way to help increase your body’s collagen levels is to take a collagen supplement. I find that liquid is the easiest because you just mix it in with a glass of water and you’re good to go! The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost is an organic bio-fermented probiotic that may help your body to produce more collagen by using their five-stage Flora Culture Plus fermentation process. This involves natural fermented probiotics being blended together with other carefully selected ingredients. This process creates a supercharged concentrate that contains more than six-billion naturally occurring prebiotics and probiotics per 15ml serve!



We also love our two new in-house Collagen powders either unflavoured or with a taste of berry in smoothies. Made from wild and sustainable Marine collagen sourced from Norway and produced in Australia, they are super easy to include in your day-to-day diet: look at it as a powder that supports hair, skin, nails, joint, bone, skin, and digestive health.



Night Cream

Another way I like to help feed collagen to my skin, is to apply a rich night cream designed specifically to assist in collagen production. That way the product can work while you sleep! The Vanessa Megan Marine Collagen Anti-Ageing Night Cream is made with the organic and scientifically proven+ anti-ageing ingredient IBR-Dormin®. This ingredient has been found to slow down cell reduction while reducing age spots and fine lines. This nourishing night cream also includes Ginseng, which contains glycol proteins known to form connective tissue such as collagen as well as Gotu Kola which has been found to help improve the collagen foundation of the skin, fight free radical, improve skin firmness and elasticity.

References & Sources:
+Effect on skin properties in vivo test IBR-Dormin® 1% in cream 20 women 6 weeks: increase in skin elasticity, increased skin firmness and decrease in wrinkle depth. Full details available on request
++Researchers at the University of Michigan medical school & Cosmetic Medicine, MD
●vitalproteins.com
●●herbwisdom.com
●●●waters Co Australia
●●●●Vanessa Megan