Collagen: you know it’s a good thing, but what is it, exactly? Wonder no more. We have the rundown, plus the three products you need for smoother, firmer skin.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein. It’s actually the most abundant protein found in the body, making up 30 percent of all proteins found in tendons, bones, and blood vessels, among other crucial tissues and organs.

What Does Collagen Do?

Since it’s a structural protein, collagen essentially allows the body and its many organs to keep their unique shape and resist injury. The collagen in skin is no different. You might think of it as the “scaffolding” that keeps everything firm, smooth, plump and supple. Collagen works hand in hand with elastin to keep skin strong and elastic, with the ability to “bounce” back into shape. When the collagen “scaffolds” holding skin up break down over time, the skin’s surface grows uneven and begins to slacken. This shows up in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and sagging. How to Increase Collagen

When we’re young, our bodies naturally produce enough collagen to keep our complexions looking smooth and healthy, but as we age, our bodies produce significantly less. After the age of 25, we lose collagen at a rate of 1 percent per year, with a more rapid decrease after age 40. Sun exposure and other lifestyle factors, like a diet rich in sugar, can break collagen down even faster. We’ll be honest: rebuilding lost collagen won’t happen overnight. But adding these key ingredients to your skin care routine will help you achieve noticeable anti-aging results over time.

1). Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a superstar antioxidant ingredient that also happens to be lauded for its excellent collagen-boosting properties. This is because the body uses vitamin C during nearly every step of the natural collagen-building process. In fact, a big reason why we stop naturally producing as much collagen is due to a decrease in our ability to produce adequate levels of vitamin C. Applying topical vitamin can help give the body the little “spark” it needs for healthy collagen production.

One of our favorite vitamin C formulas is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. This award-winning serum uses 15% vitamin C, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid to provide superior antioxidant protection against environmental stressors, plus a boost in brightening and skin-firming collagen.

2). Peptides

Peptides are fragments of proteins that send a “message” to skin to generate more collagen. Applying peptide-infused formulas helps signal the production of collagen and “tells” aging skin cells to behave more like younger, healthier skin cells.

Formulated by board-certified dermatologist and CEO of LovelySkin, Dr. Joel Schlessinger, LovelySkin LUXE Cellular Anti-Aging Peptide Serum helps repair cellular damage caused by collagen breakdown. Swiss apple extract works to protect healthy skin cells and fade the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates.

3). Growth Factors

Growth factors are similar to peptides in that they communicate with healthy skin cells to help encourage repair, including the production of healthy collagen and elastin. The collagen growth promoted by growth factors helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and restore firmness.

SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum is an all-time best-seller for its comprehensive approach to anti-aging. This dual-chambered treatment boosts collagen with both growth factors and peptides while brightening skin and neutralizing free radicals with powerful antioxidants. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin’s surface for a soft, supple complexion.

Do you have a question about how to increase collagen? Let us know in the comments below!