Collagen is the protein that gives the skin its structure and support: it makes up about 30% of the body’s proteins and, with elastin and fibrillin, forms the network that keeps the skin firm, elastic and hydrated. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
You can’t stop time, but you can take care of your skin. In recent years, research and cosmetics have made more and more tools available to do this every day, without resorting to invasive procedures.
At the centre of much of this attention is collagen, a protein produced by our own body whose function is to give structure, support and strength to the skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues. To understand how important it is, consider that it accounts for about 30% of the total protein in our body.
Why is there so much talk about collagen if it is already present in our body?
From the age of 25 or so, the natural production of collagen starts to decline gradually, and over time the first signs appear on the skin.
This is why many people choose to add a drinkable collagen to their routine. Before doing so, it’s worth knowing two things: what the benefits of collagen for the skin are, meaning the roles this protein plays in the dermis, and what a supplement really provides.
So let’s look at the 5 benefits of collagen that matter most for the skin, along with some tips to follow to take care of it over time.
1. It gives structure and support to the skin
The first wrinkles can appear even at a young age, around the mouth, on the forehead and at the outer corners of the eyes.
This means that a change in the elastic fibres and in collagen is under way, a process that can progress quickly or slowly depending on the situation.
There are in fact some factors that can speed up the process of skin ageing, just as there are good habits that can instead slow down the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen is the main protein in the dermis, the layer that supports the skin: when its fibres are plentiful and well ordered, the skin looks firm and smooth. Cosmetic products work on the surface; a supplement, by contrast, works through your diet, and among the nutrients it can provide, vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
2. It is part of the network that keeps skin hydrated
Poorly hydrated skin tends to be dry and to look dull. This can happen in situations of skin stress, such as exposure to sun or cold, or when, as we get older, there is a natural slowdown in the processes that allow the skin to stay hydrated.
To keep your skin soft over time, it is important to have a proper daily fluid intake, lead a healthy life and use specific products to keep your skin consistently hydrated. In the dermis, collagen forms the network that contains water-retaining molecules, such as hyaluronic acid: this is why structure and hydration go hand in hand.
3. It works together with elastin
Elastin is a protein that works together with collagen to keep the skin toned and firm. When we smile or frown, it is this very component of the dermis that allows the skin to return to its smooth, natural state afterwards.
Over time, elastin production declines along with collagen production, and the skin’s support structure loses some of its resilience.
Together, collagen and elastin form the scaffolding of the dermis: the former provides strength, the latter elasticity. It is their balance that keeps the skin toned and able to smooth out again after every movement.
4. It intertwines with fibrillin
Fibrillin is a large structural glycoprotein found throughout the body. Together with elastin, it contributes to the elasticity and adaptability of the skin, as well as of various tissues: blood vessels, lungs and the ligaments of the eye. It plays an important role in the assembly of elastic fibres, which intertwine with collagen fibres in the dermis: it is this combination that gives the skin its ability to adapt.
5. It is linked to firmness and radiance
Firm skin also looks more even and radiant. When collagen starts to decline, the skin loses its firmness and shows the typical signs of ageing. Prolonged sun exposure without proper precautions makes them more pronounced, because UV rays damage the collagen fibres themselves. This is why sun protection is the first step in protecting radiance: no supplement can replace it.
Collagen benefits and properties: what a supplement provides
A supplement complements your diet; it does not replace it. Each vial of Collagen PRO5 contains 5 g of Verisol® collagen peptides, together with nutrients that have a recognised role for the skin:
- vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin;
- zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails;
- biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and hair;
- vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
In clinical studies on Verisol®, the dose used is 2.5 g a day for 8 weeks. If you want to better understand what collagen does and why the dose matters, read the guide Collagen: what it does and why the dose matters.
Tips for caring for your skin every day
There are a few tips you can follow to take care of your skin and keep it beautiful for a long time.
- A healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. The advice is to eat fruit, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. For the health of our skin, it is also essential to avoid smoking and excess alcohol and to adopt a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity.
- Proper hydration. Drinking water is important to keep your body well hydrated and to help your skin preserve its natural beauty. As well as water, you can take in fluids through fresh fruit and vegetable juices, homemade smoothies, tea or herbal teas.
- Don’t overdo sun exposure. UV rays are no friend to the skin: that’s why you need to take care both to apply creams with the right sun protection factor and, in summer, to avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day.
- Skincare. A daily routine focused on cleansing and caring for your skin is essential for preventing the signs of ageing. All it takes is a few simple precautions and the right products.
- Using supplements. A drinkable collagen can complement your daily routine. Mialica has formulated Collagen PRO5 with 5 g of Verisol® collagen peptides per vial, together with vitamin C, zinc, biotin and vitamin A: one vial a day, taken consistently.
Helping your skin stay radiant and hydrated is not just a matter of appearance. In fact, taking care of yourself is the best way to achieve overall well-being, with positive effects on body and mind.
Want to know more about Mialica’s drinkable collagen? Discover Collagen PRO5, with 5 g of Verisol® per vial.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are undergoing treatment, ask your doctor for advice before taking supplements.
