We’ve talked about the benefits of fiber for your skin health, but it’s far from being the only nutrient that can help in this area. Collagen has become a holy grail for many who prefer natural options to improve the appearance of their skin. Here’s a breakdown of what collagen is and what exactly it can do for your skin. 

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that occurs naturally in our bodies. In fact, it’s the most abundant protein that we have. Collagen helps provide structure for our skin, muscles, ligaments, and more. 

Collagen acts like scaffolding for our skin, keeping it from sagging and forming wrinkles. 

Starting at around age 25, our bodies’ collagen production starts to slow down. (Women can actually lose up to 30 percent of their collagen in the first 5 years of menopause.) This is why many seek to use topical products that contain collagen or ingest it, as a way to compensate for our lack of collagen that occurs over time.

What does collagen do for my skin?

Collagen acts like scaffolding for our skin, keeping it from sagging and forming wrinkles. It keeps our skin plump and youthful looking, maintaining its hydration and elasticity. 

How do I get more collagen?

Topical products. 

There are skincare products that contain collagen, and can be applied directly to your skin. Treatments like retinol and tretinoin, as well as vitamin C, help with collagen levels by promoting production of the protein. 

Collagen supplements. 

Collagen supplements come in liquid, pill, or powder form. They can be ingested to boost collagen levels internally. 

Some experts believe that supplements aren’t as effective as topical products, since the collagen can get broken down by the digestive system. A supplement containing fiber and collagen, like Bellway Beauty Super Fiber + Collagen, may be able to help in this case. Fiber improves the way we absorb nutrients from what we eat, in addition to working as a natural detox that helps our bodies get rid of waste that can lead to breakouts.

Food. 

There are a number of foods that naturally contain collagen and may be able to improve our collagen levels. These include:

• Bone broth
• Fish
• Chicken
• Egg whites
• Citrus fruits
• Berries
• Red and yellow vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, peppers)
• Garlic
• White tea
• Leafy greens
• Cashews
• Beans
• Avocados
• Soy