What Is Collagen and Why Does Your Skin Need It?
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-ageing skincare. Supplementing this loss with skincare products that contain it — or contain other ingredients that stimulate collagen production — is one way to support healthy, glowing skin over time. 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, and it's one of the most important structural proteins in our skin — one we start losing as early as our 20s. Collagen is produced by humans, plants, and animals alike, and it's available in both topical and ingestible forms. It's widely understood in skincare science that collagen molecules are generally too large to penetrate the skin's surface on their own, which is why look for products that contain hydrolyzed collagen (broken down into smaller peptides for better absorption), or products that contain ingredients that support your skin's own collagen production, like AHAs, retinol, or retinol's plant-based alternative, bakuchiol.
What Are the Benefits of Collagen?
- Moisturising: topical collagen peptides help the skin hold onto moisture, giving it a hydration boost.
- Anti-ageing support: the added moisture from collagen-infused skincare helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making your complexion appear more youthful over time.
How to Use Collagen
Plant-based collagen is far less likely to trigger a reaction than its animal-based counterpart, so it's worth looking for products that use it — especially if you have allergies to animal-based ingredients like dairy. Skincare products with plant-based collagen peptides can typically be used twice daily and are most commonly found in serums, creams, and tonics.
Why We Use Plant-Based Collagen
At Dope Skin Co, we love collagen for the benefits it offers skin — but a lot of collagen in skincare is animal-derived, and since we formulate 100% vegan skincare, that's not an option for us. Our Calming Collagen Serum and Tonic use plant-based collagen peptides instead: soy collagen peptides and seaweed collagen peptides, alongside chenopodium quinoa seed extract. Together with supporting ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, these work with your skin rather than against it.
