How To Boost Skin Collagen Naturally Without Fillers

Collagen-based products are all the rage now and incorporated into many products from powders, supplements, lotions, serums, gummy bears to even beer! More and more people are splashing out on collagen, seeking out fillers or buying creams in the hopes of minimising wrinkles and achieving more supple skin. But what’s the best way to make sure you’re getting all of the added collagen you need? What are the best ways to boost collagen production without having to get fillers and botox done?

First of all, what exactly is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that is formed when amino acids link together to form collagen fibres. Cartilage, blood vessels, bone, tendons and scar tissue are different types of collagen forming in the body. The production of new collagen is an essential part of the body’s healing process. Collagen gives our skin that structure and strength. It’s what gives it that nice bouncy feel, like a baby’s cheeks. When we enter our 30s, the body begins to produce less and less collagen. That’s why collagen-based products are all the rage as we are on a quest to replace it.

Ok, so should collagen be ingested to replace?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of good conclusive data to show whether ingesting collagen in the form of pills and powders will help your skin. This has to do with science and the way our body digests. When we consume protein, it is broken down into amino acids, and your body absorbs only the nutrients you need. This means, unless you are lacking protein in your diet, your body is remarkably efficient at absorbing what you need and discarding what it doesn’t need.

As an alternative, you can make some beneficial changes to your lifestyle and diet to slow down your loss of collagen. For example, eating more fish like tuna, salmon, or taking fish oil supplements. These are high in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin A. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin A also helps to scavenge free radicals which are helpful in preventing the loss or degradation of collagen.

Also, it’s best to avoid smoking because some of the toxins in cigarette smoke damage collagen and elastin. This damage speeds up skin ageing, making smokers more prone to wrinkles on their faces and body. Alcohol can also make you age faster, causing premature wrinkles, loss of collagen, elasticity, dehydration and puffiness. Additionally, failing to remove make up before bed will age your skin 7x faster than usual!

You’ll likely see great results with collagen-boosting skincare

Many Korean skincare products have vitamins and antioxidants that can help boost collagen. We love ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Cream which has more than 653,000ppm Super Collagen™ Water and White Lupin Extract to give your skin up to 100 hours of long-lasting moisture, keeping it soft and supple. It is suitable for all skin types. Highly recommended for dehydrated skin and anti-ageing.

Prolonged sun exposure can damage the collagen and elastin in your skin too. Collagen and elastin degradation in the deeper skin layers can result in premature signs of skin ageing, such as wrinkles and fine lines because your skin loses its elasticity and firmness over time. We recommend using sunscreen daily as it creates a safety shield over your skin barrier, protecting it from UV damage.

Collagen production can be enhanced with certain procedures

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers help stimulate collagen production by stretching the collagen-producing cells known as fibroblasts. These fillers not only make your skin look better instantly, but they also create thicker skin due to increased collagen production.

But if getting fillers done is not an option (and let’s face it, no one likes needles), you can explore laser treatments in order to repair damaged collagen and stimulate the body to make new collagen. 

Resurfacing lasers apply heat to the skin which removes the damaged collagen and makes our collagen-producing cells more active. New technology lasers can create collagen with little recovery time.

Prevention is better than cure. Protect the collagen you already have

The saying ‘you don’t know what you have until is gone’ rings true. Since there is still not enough data to show whether or not certain collagen pills and supplements actually work, we should try our best to ignore all tempting marketing messages and focus on prevention instead. This includes using collagen-boosting skincare products and sunscreen in our daily routines and eating the right foods.

Our top Korean skincare recommendations that boost collagen naturally are:

This ampoule has a high concentration of 3 Mushroom Extracts that naturally contain a high Collagen content. The formula also contains other powerful anti-ageing ingredients such as Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid and Adenosine. The result? Firmer, bouncier, healthier and younger-looking skin!

This sheet mask is a quick and easy way to boost hydration and collagen levels in 10-15 minutes!

Etude House also have a skincare line specifically for anti-ageing. All products in this line contain patented ingredient, Super Collagen™ Water and botanical ingredient, White Lupin Extract to boost collagen naturally. This range supplies firming moisture to your skin, giving you a full, bouncy, youthful appearance.

What are your favourite anti-ageing skincare products that boost your collagen production naturally? Let us know in the comments below!