There is a myriad of amazing topical skincare out there from Vitamin C to Bakuchiol, all bottled up to help support skin regeneration, boost collagen health and your skin’s radiance from the outside in. 

But if you have sensitive skin and cannot use a lot of these actives, then you’re in luck! Now you can have your cake and eat it too because ingestible skin supplements allow you to enjoy beautiful skin from the inside out.

If you don’t have sensitive skin, lucky you! But did you know as we age, our natural collagen supply decreases? Reducing by 1% every year after the age of 20 and 2% every year after the age of 30.

WHAT IS COLLAGEN?

Collagen is a protein found in our body that plays a major part in our connective tissues making up body parts such as tendons, ligaments but most importantly skin. 

Collagen is a major component of our skin, providing it with elasticity and plumpness, but as we age our skin becomes thinner and dryer (think fine lines and wrinkles). Not only does age affect our collagen levels, but external factors such as smoking and environmental stressors such as UV and poor diet can cause the breakdown of collagen in our skin.

Native COLLAGEN VS HYDROLYSED COLLAGEN

Think you’ve found your fountain of youth? Well, wait because not all collagen is created equally. 

Native or Non-Hydrolysed Collagen is a “Large and complex molecule, more than 100kDa in size,” says Dr Michele Squire who is a PhD Scientist, Science Educator, and former Registered Nurse who has been researching skincare science for more than 17 years. 

Native Collagen cannot stimulate collagen production without being digested in the gut, formed into collagen peptides and amino acids making it an unreliable source of dietary collagen as it is dependant on “The animal source, body part and how it was cooked.”

Hydrolysed Collagen is native collagen that is purified and broken down by enzymes into collagen peptides of varying sizes and amino acids as small as 2-4kDa. “These tiny peptides are highly soluble and bioactive… without being further digested in the body.” This means that they can travel into your bloodstream and into the dermis “Where they gather at significant levels within hours of ingestion and stimulate the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid within the skin,” informs Dr Michele.

Non-Hydrolysed Collagen = Unreliable source of absorbable collagen.

Hydrolysed Collagen = Reliable source of absorbable collagen.

Not all forms of hydrolysed collagen are made equally, different hydrolysis methods “Can result in very different collagen purity, concentration, peptide size and amino acid composition in the finished collagen product,” informs Dr Michele.

“When deciding on a collagen supplement for skin regeneration, look for one containing highly purified collagen from a sustainable source, with a high concentration of collagen in the finished product, and low molecular weight peptides (between 2-4kDa) for maximum absorption.”

YOU STILL NEED TO EAT WELL!

We can take all the supplements in the world, but we still need to eat well! A healthy diet will supply us with all the “Nutrients we need for normal levels of collagen production, but we can superpower the cells that produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid by adding good quality, low molecular weight collagen supplement,” says Dr Michele.

Foods for collagen synthesis:

Eat foods that contain Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc and Copper as they are rich in amino acids and are essential for natural collagen production. 

• Lean Meat
• Citrus Fruits
• Fish
• Egg Whites
• Nuts and Seeds
• Leafy Green Vegetables 

Sorry if you’re vegan as Dr Michele exclaims, “Naturally available vegan collagen doesn’t exist!”

So what I’m trying to say is, get your hands on some of Vida Glow‘s amazing ingestible collagen supplements, from their original Marine Collagen range to the Anti-G-Ox sachets (my fave) and introducing the latest Collagen Elixir range!

To give you an idea of how fabulous their products are, Vida Glow’s original Marine Collagen range is a low molecular, hydrolysed collagen peptide powder with an absorption rate above 90%!

I absolutely love the Anti-G-Ox sachets, treating it as a daily pick me up at my desk, it tastes just like a sherbet treat when poured on the tongue directly. Yum! It has a natural blend of Vitamin C, Biotin, Chromium, Curcumin, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Niacinamide, Kakadu Plum and zinc which are all found to be key age-defying vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

The latest addition to the family is the Collagen Elixir, building on the most loved Marine Collagen range, the elixirs are ready to drink available in a refreshing Lemon Myrtle and Manuka Honey flavour.

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