Ever thought about the secret to tighter and better-hydrated skin? Consider your daily intake of collagen. As a beauty editor possessing a habit of trying the newest supplements, I could not resist such an urge to change my skincare routine from the inside. My skin is not heavily wrinkled as I am in my mid-twenties, but I still wanted it to become plumpier and glowing. I have a firm belief that the inside beauty predominates the outside, so I decided to discover the collagen supplements from the German skincare brand Elasten.
The Elasten website states: “Collagen is known for its remarkable ability to retain moisture, which helps the skin have plump and smoothness, firming the skin from within.” I learned from their explanation that the body of a person gets rid of its collagen due to factors like, being exposed to direct sunlight, excessive smoking, hormonal change, and unhealthy diet. However, the production of collagen becomes lower after a person turns 25 years old. I could not resist such evidence and decided to explore the advantages of collagen over a three-month period.
Morning collagen ritual:
Our skin renews itself almost every 28 days, so nothing should have happened in one night. I decided to choose a collagen mixture made from bovine collagen because it simplifies daily application. In addition, every busy life needs the simplest solutions, and I was not mistaken. I was already awake with my daily portion of collagen; I always had everything packed in shots as I never skipped taking it in the morning. Collagen peptides, vitamins, zinc, and acerola fruit extract are mixed in every shot. I was surprised that the collagen was sweet and fruity, so my expectations for it to be nasty and dingy kilometers were not valid.
Flawless Skin Three Months Later:
After one month, I noticed a subtle yet significant difference: my dry skin seemed to require less topical moisture. Usually, I use a toner, a hyaluronic acid serum, and a moisturizer. Then, I found myself using only the serum and could start putting my sunscreen straight on— with no moisturizer required. My skin looked noticeably plumper, and by the end of the full three months, I realized my fingernails did not break as much as before—an unexpected benefit of collagen consumption. Indeed, a healthy balanced diet, regular sports activities, and a proper amount of water can do wonders for the skin and its collagen production. It even increased my fingernail health! However, I noticed a significant difference in the radiant look of my skin since I began the experiment. Therefore, collagen is an essential asset to maintaining one’s appearance.
Marine Collagen vs. Bovine Collagen:
The drink I took is based on Elasten’s [HC]-Collagen Complex, which is a bovine collagen of high bioavailability. Bovine collagen, made of beef and containing dairy products, is closer in structure to our skin than marine collagen. This partly explains why our body can absorb it faster. For people who stay away from mammal-derived products, marine collagen, sourced from fish, may be a suitable alternative. It contains amino acids not found in bovine-based collagen. What is more, these amino acids may help our body create more collagen. The primary credible study I could find is a preliminary one, but it suggested that marine collagen can be even more beneficial to our skin. As per a recent scientific review, “Marine collagen sources are significantly better than land animal sources. Research demonstrated that marine collagen promotes skin re-epithelialization, increases vascularization, and speeds wound healing. In addition, marine collagen has promising anti-aging effects, boosting skin elasticity and decreasing wrinkles—great for the cosmetic industry”.
The Bottom Line:
Putting aside the smell of rotten bone broth, there is no argument that drinking collagen – whether of bovine or marine origin – does present benefits. Your skin may thank you; its texture, hydration, and overall appearance might just improve! If you are looking to add collagen to your skincare regimen, the potential benefits to your skin make it a viable addition to your daily routine. If you stick with this plan until the end, firmer skin that is plum and well-hydrated is indeed in your future. And with every passing month, there is more evidence behind the hype of collagen.
