Collagen
Even if you’re completely new to the skincare world, you’ve probably heard of collagen. Collagen is a naturally-occurring protein our bodies produce and it's responsible for giving us plump, youthful skin. However, as we age, our bodies start to produce less and less collagen, which is why it’s such a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare. Supplementing this loss of collagen with skincare products that contain it (or contain other ingredients that stimulate collagen production), is the best way to ensure happy, healthy, glowing skin in the long-run. For more on what collagen is, the benefits of it, and how to use it, keep reading.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that our bodies naturally produce, but it’s not just any old protein. It’s the most important structural protein in our skin, and it’s one that we start losing as early as our 20s. So if you’ve been assuming that your youthful glow will carry on forever, we’re sad to say you’re sorely mistaken - unless you start taking action. Collagen is not only produced by human bodies, but also by plants and animals. It’s available in both topical and ingestible forms, however, most dermatologists will tell you that collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin’s surface, which means skincare products containing collagen may not have much of an effect. Instead, look for products that contain hydrolyzed collagen, which has been broken down into smaller bits, giving them a better chance of being absorbed into the skin. Another option is to focus on products that stimulate collagen production, like AHAs, retinol, or retinol’s plant-based sister, bakuchiol.
What are the Benefits of Collagen?
How to Use Collagen
Plant-based collagen is far less of an allergen than its animal-based counterpart so we recommend looking for products that contain the former. Also, if you have allergies to animal-based products, such as dairy, you’ll definitely want to avoid collagen made from cows. Further, as mentioned above, the main benefit of topically applying animal collagen to your skin is moisture. Whereas plant-based collagen contains ingredients that will bolster your body’s own collagen production, which is much more powerful when it comes to anti-aging and youthful skin. Skincare products with plant-based collagen can be used twice daily and are most commonly available in creams and lotions.
Why We Use Plant-Based Collagen
Here at Dope Skin Co., we love collagen for all of the incredible benefits it offers our skin. However, a lot of collagen in skincare is derived from animals, and as we specialize in 100 percent vegan skincare, that simply isn't an option for us. Rest assured, the collagen we use is plant-based, which means it doesn’t have the risk of contamination that animal collagen has, but it’s just as effective. Specifically, our plant-based collagen is made up of soy protein peptides, chenopodium quinoa seed extract, and seaweed oligopeptides (better known as marine collagen). Together, these superstar ingredients mimic the effects of collagen and help boost your body’s natural collagen production.
