What is collagen & what does it do?

Collagen is a type of protein that makes up around 30% of your body. It plays an important role for building up cell structure which supports skin, tissue connectivity and bone-deep strength. Without or less collagen, your skin would sag, your joints would weaken, and your bones wouldn’t have the resilience they need to stay strong.

Collagen supplements is made up of three key amino acids: proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline for form a strong, triple-helix protein structure. For building it you need 4 key components: vitamin C, zinc, copper, and manganese which contributes in the formation of TH protein structure.

It supports the formation of fibroblasts in the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) which promotes the growth of new skin cells. Collagen also aids in the natural replacement of dead skin cells, contributing to skin renewal. Beyond the skin, it provides a protective covering for vital organs and is essential for giving the skin its firmness, strength, and elasticity. Additionally, collagen plays a key role in blood clotting, helping the body respond effectively to injuries and heal properly of skin.

Type of Collagen Commonly Found in Skin

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, and when it comes to skin, it plays a vital structural role. In fact, collagen makes up about 75% of your skin’s dry weight, forming the foundation of the dermis, the thickest layer of the skin beneath the surface.

Type I collagen

This is the most abundant collagen in the skin, accounting for up to 90% of the skin’s total collagen content. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s structure, strength, and firmness. Found primarily in the dermis—the middle layer of the skin—Type I collagen forms dense, organized fibers that act as a supportive framework, holding skin tissues together. This collagen type is responsible for keeping the skin tight, smooth, and resilient, making it essential for a youthful appearance. As we age, the production of Type I collagen naturally declines, leading to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, sagging, and loss of elasticity.

Type III collagen

is commonly found alongside Type I collagen in the skin and plays a supportive role in maintaining a smooth, youthful appearance. While it is less abundant than Type I, it is especially important for providing skin with elasticity and suppleness, helping it remain plump and resilient. Type III collagen forms finer, more flexible fibers, which contribute to the skin's ability to stretch and bounce back. It is particularly abundant in younger skin, which is why youthful skin tends to appear firmer and more elastic. As the skin ages, levels of Type III collagen gradually decrease, leading to reduced elasticity, thinning, and the early formation of fine lines.

Key Functions of Type I and Type III Collagen in the Skin

Signs Your Skin Collagen Levels May Be Decreasing

1. Wrinkles and fine lines

A structural protein called collagen helps to maintain the firmness and suppleness of your skin. Your skin can't "bounce back" from facial expressions or environmental damage as readily when collagen production decreases, which typically begins in your mid-20s. Fine lines are created as a result, particularly in expressive regions like the mouth (smile lines), forehead (frown lines), and eyes (crow's feet).

2. Sagging Skin

Your skin is supported by collagen. Areas of the face, especially the cheeks, jawline, and under-eye area, droop or sag when that support weakens due to breakdown or depletion. For this reason, over time, the face may appear less defined and more "tired."

3. Dry or Thinning Skin

To keep your skin hydrated and plump, collagen combines with other molecules such as hyaluronic acid. Your skin barrier deteriorates and it becomes more difficult to retain moisture when your collagen levels fall. Skin feels and looks thinner as a result, and it may start to feel papery or crepey.

4. Loss of Volume and Plumpness

To keep your skin hydrated and plump, collagen combines with other molecules such as hyaluronic acid. Your skin barrier deteriorates and it becomes more difficult to retain moisture when your collagen levels fall. Skin feels and looks thinner as a result, and it may start to feel papery or crepey.

5. Slower Wound Healing

Collagen is crucial for skin repair—it helps rebuild tissue after injuries like cuts, acne, or inflammation. When your body produces less collagen, the skin’s ability to heal and regenerate slows down, so blemishes or wounds may linger longer and scar more easily.

6. Increased Appearance of Pores

Collagen is essential for skin repair because it aids in the reconstruction of tissue following wounds, acne, or inflammation. Blemishes or wounds may persist longer and scar more readily when your body produces less collagen because the skin's capacity to heal and regenerate is slowed down.

7. Rough Skin Texture

Healthy cell turnover and a strong collagen base are essential for a smooth texture. This turnover can be hampered by reduced collagen, which makes it more difficult for your skin to expel dead cells and produce new ones. The end result is a less sophisticated texture that is bumpy, rough, or uneven.

8. More Noticeable Cellulite or Stretch Marks

The connective tissues that hold fat cells in place beneath the skin are strengthened by collagen. Reduced collagen causes the skin to become thinner and less elastic, which increases the visibility of stretch marks (tears in collagen fibers) and cellulite (fat pressing through weak connective tissue). This is particularly prevalent as people age, change their weight, or become pregnant.

Lifestyle Habits That Damage Collagen

1. Excessive Sun Exposure & Not Wearing Sunscreen

One of the main factors contributing to the breakdown of collagen is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Without the right protection, UVA and UVB rays can damage collagen fibers in the skin by penetrating deeply into the dermis. Enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are produced in response, hastening the breakdown of collagen. As a result, the skin becomes less elastic and firm, which causes photoaging, which is characterized by sagging, fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Significant collagen loss can occur over time from even a small amount of daily sun exposure if sunscreen is not worn. To preserve the skin's collagen and keep it looking young, broad-spectrum sunscreen must be worn every day.

2. Smoking

Nicotine and carbon monoxide, two toxins found in cigarette smoke, limit blood flow and the skin's ability to receive oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, these toxins promote the generation of free radicals, which break down collagen and elastin. Smokers frequently suffer from dull skin, early wrinkles, and slowed wound healing as a result.

3. High Sugar Intake

Sugar molecules attach to collagen and elastin fibers through a process known as glycation, which is brought on by a diet heavy in sugar and refined carbohydrates. This forms harmful compounds known as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) that make collagen stiff, brittle, and more prone to damage. Glycation causes wrinkles, sagging, and uneven texture by decreasing the elasticity of the skin.

4. Poor Sleep

Your body regenerates and repairs tissues, including collagen, while you sleep. Growth hormones promote the synthesis of collagen while you sleep deeply. Sleep deprivation interferes with this healing process, making skin appear lifeless and causing skin damage to heal more slowly. This can weaken skin resilience and hasten aging over time.

5. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Because alcohol dehydrates the body and skin, it can weaken the skin's protective layer and increase the likelihood of fine lines. Additionally, it causes oxidative stress and inflammation, which degrade collagen and elastin. Due to inadequate skin regeneration, frequent heavy drinking can cause redness, puffiness, and early wrinkles.

6. Chronic Stress

Cortisol, a hormone that disrupts collagen synthesis and encourages inflammation, is elevated in response to stress. Long-term stress can weaken the skin's structure and hinder its ability to heal, which increases the appearance of aging symptoms like firmness loss and thinning skin.

7. Lack of Physical Activity

Frequent exercise helps to sustain collagen production by enhancing blood flow and oxygen delivery to skin cells. A sedentary lifestyle slows down collagen and cell renewal, which makes your skin look dreary and dull. It also decreases circulation, which means fewer nutrients reach your skin.