Why is the collagen in our skin so important?
We’ve heard it thousands of times, and maybe we even use a treatment that includes it, but surely we still don’t know why it is so vital for us. Collagen is one of the most important proteins in the body, as it represents over 25% of the total proteins that make up an individual.
We find it in all of the body’s essential structures, such as bones, tendons, ligaments and the skin. It is responsible for making very resistant, flexible fibres (collagen fibres), that keep the inner workings of all tissues functioning properly.
What role does it play in the dermis?
Collagen is the skin’s support, giving it the firmness and elasticity it needs to move and function healthily. If we were to make a comparison, we could say that it is the skeleton of our skin. Our body makes collagen naturally until about 30 years of age, after which it produces increasingly fewer hormones and less collagen. At 40 years of age the creation of this protein can decrease up to 1% annually, while this loss is around 30% per year by the age of 70.
The progressive decline in collagen in our body causes the skin’s epithelial structures (tissue formed by several layers of cells) to weaken; this thins out the skin and triggers more sagging and wrinkles. According to Leire Azcona (2006), sagging skin entails a reduction in the quantity and quality of collagen fibres, thus decreasing soluble collagen and increasing insoluble collagen.
Having said that, skin ageing does not destroy collagen, but rather diminishes its production. Although the passing of time is the main culprit behind the wearing down of the skin’s collagen, there are other factors that favour its loss and destroy the body’s existing reserves, such as stress, excessive exposure to the sun and a diet poor in minerals, vitamins and amino acids. As for the sun, it breaks down collagen and limits its synthesis.
Tips on compensating for the loss of collagen
Even though it is impossible to maintain stable levels throughout life, there are factors that can help us to compensate for the loss of collagen and slow down damage to our skin:
- Food with vitamin C: it is important to eat a balanced diet, thus preventing destruction of the skin’s collagen mesh and improving skin hydration levels. Meat, fish, dairy and eggs are a good source of collagen for our body. Additionally, eating fruits and vegetables with vitamin C, –such as peppers, kiwi, citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, etc...), melon, strawberries, blackberries, cabbage and tomatoes,– boosts collagen production. Adding gelatine to your diet is also favourable, as it is highly beneficial for skin elasticity in addition to being low in fat and calories.
- Vitamin E and its derivatives. In this case, incorporating vitamin E into our diet or applying it to our skin will aid us in protecting collagen fibres and elastin. Some foods are: oil, almonds, spinach, quinoa, salmon and pine nuts.
- Dermo-cosmetic solutions: While it is true that the most advanced dermo-cosmetic formulas cannot take the place of the presence of natural collagen in the dermis, they will help to enhance skin tone, resistance and elasticity. Of these treatments, ampoules with pure vitamin C and proteoglycans are worth highlighting, as they prevent wrinkling of the face and neck as well as sagging skin. These restorative and antioxidant solutions also have a double effect: they immediately improve the skin’s smoothness while strengthening its structure over time.
Now that we understand the invaluable role played by collagen in our skin, maybe we will be more aware of the need to combine a diet rich in antioxidants with the use of dermo-cosmetic products to reduce the effects of its loss. We might not be able to achieve eternal youth, but we can live with healthy skin for more time.
