We've talked previously about beauty hype ingredients recently which included hyaluronic acid. Another one of those hyped ingredients that were doing the rounds for years was collagen, it still is and like hyaluronic acid it has good reason to be receiving the 'hype'
Collagen is a protein that fills the extracellular space in between connective tissues such as skin, tendons and ligaments. It acts as a protective barrier and much like HA is also depletes depending on our lifestyles and as we age. In the beauty industry having a youthful appearance includes plumped cheeks, a smooth jawline and forehead that's radiant and wrinkle free - as we age the skin slackens and those gaps that were previously filled with collagen proteins are no longer as full leading to sunken areas in the face hollows that make us look older.
So how do we maintain good levels of collagen?
Diet plays a large part as does the lifestyle you lead. Sun worshippers and smokers are going to deplete their stores very quickly as are sugar lovers. Sugar once in the blood stream attach to collagen proteins making them hardened and unable to perform their duties, the proteins then become nonfunctional and deplete. The scary thing is we as a society are eating more sugar now than we ever have and with the rise of the smoothie and juice era we're only doing our looks more damage than good.
So...
To tackle the problem there are ways you can work to get back some of the collagen that may have been lost. The first thing is to stop smoking. There are many ways to do so now as the NHS is supporting more people in their fight to stop than ever before.
The second way would be to cut down on the amount of sugar you eat in your diet - factoring in all sources of sugar including honey, sweeteners, hidden sugars, carbohydrates and fruits. I'm not saying to stop eating all sources of sugar but learn about the different forms of sugar and make adjustments to your diet. I Quit Sugar and Jamie Oliver's websites, books and social media are great places to start.
The next option would be to supplement your lifestyle with supplements and also external supplements such as masks and beauty products. I recently found out that Gold Collagen has created a Hydrogel Mask which you get free with their 30 or 90-day supplement programme, you can check it out here (EXPIRED). The mask is made with a new skincare solution that acts as a second skin. Its aim is to support the skin's renewal process which will improve texture, hydration and radiance. The Gold Collagen drinks which come as a part of their supplement programme also do the same from the inside out.
Unlike many other brands, the ingredients were specifically chosen so that they would be absorbable and useable by the variable skin layers. Many other brands create products that don't absorb, will simply sit on the top layer of your skin doing the opposite of what's promised or will make the hydration of your skin worse; effectively you'd be wasting your money with those brands. That's simply unfair isn't it and that's why like Fountain's Molecule supplement - Gold Collagen have created a system that is completely beneficial.
Ingredients include hyaluronic acid (you know how much I do love HA), pearl extract, botanical complex and glycerine. All good stuff which should absolutely make a difference to your skin. I've yet to try it out but I will because good hydration and good cell renewal are key to acne free skin.
Did you know that most acne skin types aren't actually just oily, they're actually oily but dehydrated? It's the dehydration that leads the skin to produce more oil to compensate and the dry flakes of skin that form due to being dehydrated and unable to repair, block the follicles leading to what we know as being pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and cysts (when the infection is deeper).
I will report back any findings after the New Year. Wish me luck. If you want to join me you can pick up Gold Collagen from your local Boots or over on the Boots website.
This sounds like a good product, will have to try it sometime x
ReplyDeleteOoh! I saw loads of masks like this in Hong Kong, I'll have to give it a go! x
ReplyDeleteThis is so helpful. I'm glad my vitamins have collagen. And one more good reason to eat less sugar!
ReplyDelete