Everywhere we see collagen products for the skin: creams of natural cosmeticslotions and serums.

C-o-l-l-á-g-e-n-othe word itself has an interesting etymological history: it comes from the Greek, where the word kolla means 'glue' and geno is 'to produce'.

Beyond the lexical curiosities, if someone asked you: "What are the functions of collagen in the skin", what would you tell them? All those creams you may be buying today with collagen for your skin, do you know exactly how they affect your epidermis?

Today we reveal these answers by explaining the most important functions of collagen for the skin.

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein that forms white fibres in skin, tendons, bones, cartilage and other connective tissue. It is generated in fibroblasts and constitutes 25 % of the total protein mass in mammals and 80 % of the total connective tissue.

Collagen fibres are flexible and at the same time resistant to traction. To break the collagen fibres of human tendons, for example, requires a force of several hundred kilograms per square centimetre.

In our body we have 11 types of collagens located in different places, with specific functions and characteristics. We explain... Collagen in the skin - for example - has the appearance of wicker baskets, this structure facilitates opposition to traction from multiple directions. In contrast, the collagen in the gums is designed to admit much less stretching, and well compacted to serve as a solid supporting framework for the teeth.

Functions of collagen for the skin

Flexibility and elasticity

Collagen makes the skin supple and elastic. Its fibres are arranged in layers with different orientations creating a complex structure that compacts and stretches according to our needs.

A high level of collagen in the skin of the décolleté, face, chest, neck and hands ensures a youthful, smooth and luminous appearance. These are areas of the body where the skin tends to ageing quickly because it is subjected to various sources of stress (pollution and excessive friction, sun...).

Strength and firmness

Collagen also gives your skin strength and firmness. It is a perfect ally to avoid marks on your epidermis after certain repeated gestures, it prevents it from tearing due to stretching and traction, and it prevents bruises from forming after slight blows as collagen avoids capillary fragility.

[Tweet "#collagen provides suppleness and elasticity to the skin"]]

Skin that is poor in collagen tends to rupture the epidermal fibre and becomes scarred by even the most harmless friction.

Protection

Collagen protects us from pathogens. In the skin, as explained above, it forms an intelligent, permeable layer that insulates. But it also allows a fair exchange of substances. Collagen inside the body covers and protects certain organs.

Structure and hydration

Collagen is a structural protein, which appears in the extracellular matrix forming a connective and fibrous tissue over the organs. It can be found in tendons and nerves and also supports the skin.

Collagen is also widely distributed in the gel-like substances of the body, providing its characteristic rigidity, for example in the vitreous humour of the eye.

In short, the functions of this protein in your skin are:

  • Giving flexibility and elasticity
  • Providing strength and firmness
  • Organ protection and pathogen barrier
  • Structure and hydration

[Tweet "#collagen starts to decline around the age of 30"].

How to increase and protect collagen in our skin?

As you can see, the functions of collagen are extremely important. Now then, What should you do to increase and protect it?

  • Drinking enough water
  • Use natural cosmetic products that incorporate collagen.
  • Avoid exposure to the sun during the most critical hours, from 10am to 4pm.
  • Use sunscreen every day of the year.
  • Eating foods rich in vitamin CThis vitamin protects collagen and its production.
  • Maintain a diet rich in Omega 3 foods.
  • Getting enough sleep each day to recover
  • Do at least 30 minutes of outdoor sport every day.
  • Eliminate unnecessary stress by doing meditation, yoga, mindfulness and other activities that give peace of mind
  • Eliminate practices that we know are harmful such as smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee. These are collagen-destroying activities.

Collagen begins to decline around the age of thirty. The first signs appear in the form of noticeable expression marks on the face. Around the age of fifty it begins to diminish precipitously and we see that the skin becomes dull and spots appear.

To make up for the collagen deficiency and overcome the early signs of ageing we must resort to topical solutions immediately. Can we help you? ;-)