Collagen is Essential for Skin

In order to have beautiful and youthful skin you have to have collagen.  It is what makes up the protein the main structure in the skin.  The look and feel of the skin is determined by the amount of collagen in the skin.  The condition of that collagen also makes a difference. 

As we get older collagen begins to break down.  The sun is one of the main causes of skin damage.  Some of the other factors that affect the skin are changes in hormones, free radicals in our environment, nutrition, and smoking. 

Collagen production also slows as we get older.  The decreased collagen combined with damaged collagen leads to sagging, wrinkling, and drooping skin.  Collagen is the substance that plumps skin and makes it look youthful. 

Some people think they can replenish skin by simply applying a cream with collagen in it.  Collagen molecules, however, are too large to penetrate deep into skin where they could be useful.  Collagen can be injected.  This does work temporarily to plump the area of injection.  The problems with injections are that the results do not last long and there can be adverse side effects, not to mention high cost. 

The only way to get more collagen into the skin is to actually increase natural collagen production.  There are some great ingredients that have been shown to increase collagen production.  Vitamin C has been used for centuries.  It can increase collagen production naturally.  Other ingredients that can be helpful are hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000.  A good skin cream or skin serum used regularly can increase collagen production.  This will make skin look younger and fuller and reduce wrinkles.