WTF is Collagen and Do I Need It?

TikTok and Instagram are nothing if not a vast array of videos telling you that you’re missing out on something important for your health or your skincare routine or your home decor. But, it’s hard to keep up with what actually matters. At this point, we’ve been recommended at least 16,782 skincare steps and we’ve been told to eat no carb, low carb and high carb. Often within the same 24 hour time span. What’s a woman to do?

Well, we can’t boil the ocean but we can dig deep on certain recommendations to provide some semblance of clarity on what you actually do or do not need to pay attention to. First up, collagen. Collagen is plastered on social feeds far and wide but what is it? And, is it really worth it?

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein. In fact, it’s the most abundant protein in the body. And it’s also a connective tissue which means it’s a major component of bone, skin, muscles and more. For that reason, it’s often heralded as the solution to firming up your skin, beautifying your nails and helping you to look younger. That’s why there is such a wide market for collagen powders, pills and creams. And, while collagen has a very important role in our body, it is technically an “incomplete” protein which means that it does not contain all of the essential amino acids - specifically tryptophan. Still, collagen is a great source of physiologically active peptides which means that it can still provide some benefits our body.

The Science

Collagen is naturally occurring in our bodies and in some of the foods we consume, like meat or fish. As we age our body makes less collagen but certain lifestyle choices can also reduce collagen like excessive sun exposure, smoking, lack of sleep and excessive alcohol consumption. As existing collagen is damaged and new collagen production slows the skin begins to sag or wrinkle. Logically the solution to this problem would be to increase collagen consumption, right? Not exactly.

Research is lacking in many cases and in others the research was funded by parties with a stake in the game, but there are a few things we do know. Skincare products with collagen in them likely aren't doing as much as you might think. Collagen is not naturally found on skin’s surface and collagen molecules are thought to be too large to actually penetrate the skin and go to the deeper layers where they could actually be used. This goes for collagen peptides, too. However, collagen is very moisturizing which can help your skin to feel softer and smoother.

Oral supplements of collagen are more easily absorbed by the body, but it cannot be guaranteed that the extra collagen is directly benefiting skin health or working toward anti-aging. Collagen will instead be broken down just like any other protein and distributed among the body as active peptides.

There are some studies that show benefits like improved skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkles. And, other studies show that taking collagen can improve bone health and bone mineral density. However, nearly all of the existing research was funded by companies that sell collagen products so take it with a grain of salt.

Now What?

Each person is different in what they respond to. If your bathroom is already filled with collagen products that you swear by then you can keep using them because taking collagen or using collagen skincare products poses a very low risk. But, if it’s time to re-up on any of the items it might be worth exploring other options.

The most effective way to promote collagen production and prevent collagen loss is lifestyle factors. As mentioned above, smoking, alcohol, and lack of sleep all contribute to aging. So does living a sedentary life or eating a highly-processed diet. While we agree that taking a magic anti-aging pill sounds more fun, a healthy lifestyle will prove to be more effective.

This article is for informational purposes only and it not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind.