The best skincare routine starts from within. Supplementing collagen into a healthy balanced diet to ensure skin stays supple and radiant is key to a youthful glow. In this blog we will dive into how you can use collagen supplements to look after skin health during the cold winter months ahead.
What is collagen?
Did you know that aside from water, collagen is the most plentiful substance in our bodies and is a building block for skin, tendons, and bones? Collagen Type 2 makes up the fluids and function in our cartilage and joints and makes up 50-60% of protein in cartilage and 85-90% of collagen in our articular cartilage. Types 1 & 3 can be taken together and may support skin, muscles, bone health, and hair and nail growth. In fact over 90 percent of collagen in the body is comprised of Type 1 & 3 Collagen.
Collagen is connective tissue, meaning it makes up the things that hold your parts in place – bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin. As we get older our collagen production starts to deplete so it’s important to supplement collagen into your diet to ensure your body keeps functioning optimally. As you age, your body produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and the formation of wrinkles. It plays a big role in improving skin health by strengthening as well as in promoting elasticity and hydration.
Your bones are also made up of mostly collagen, which gives them structure and strength but just as the collagen in your body deteriorates with age, so does bone mass. This may lead to conditions such as osteoporosis, which is characterised by low bone density and a higher risk of bone fractures. Studies show that collagen supplements may help inhibit the bone breakdown that leads to osteoporosis.
Collagen supplements may also promote heart health. Researchers have theorised that collagen may help reduce the risk of heart conditions. Collagen provides structure to your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Without enough collagen, arteries may become less flexible and elastic which could in turn lead to heart problems such as heart attack and stroke.
What can collagen do for your skin?
Our skin is a window to our inner health. Ever heard the phrase 'You are what you eat?’ Well, your skin loves good nutrition too. Load up on daily collagen and a healthy balanced diet to get your glow on.
In the winter your skin needs all the help it can get and collagen can help support skin in a plethora of ways by not only replenishing diminished natural production but by boosting skin’s water retention, increasing antioxidants to fight ageing free radical damage, improve gut and heart health thus helping the body to absorb more nutrients from food and even speed up wound healing.
Collagen Type I and III are the two types that contribute the most to skin health. Neocell Type 1 & 3 Collagen has been hydrolysed into small peptides that are bioavailable and bioactive in the body. Plus they are ethically sourced to be pure, effective & safe, grass-fed bovine, paleo friendly, non GMO, gluten free, lactose free & soy free.
Looking after skin during colder months
Collagen forms the underlying matrix of your skin—and hair, nails and joints—keeping it all strong and healthy. As levels fall over time, signs of aging creep in. Cold temperatures and low humidity levels result in dry air that draws moisture away from the skin. Harsh winter winds and dry indoor heat can make the problem worse and lead to extremely dehydrated and even cracked skin. So, taking a collagen supplement throughout the winter is especially important in protecting skin against such weather conditions, to ensure your levels are up and to allow your body to stay functioning at its optimum.
What are the key differences between Bovine and Marine collagen?
Bovine collagen comes from cows whereas marine collagen comes from fish, mainly from their scales and bones.
There are two types of collagen that are excellent for skin health - type I and type III. Type I is the most abundant form and occurs mostly in your skin, hair and bones. It makes up 80-90% of your skin protein, as well as being found abundantly in your tendons and ligaments. Type III collagen is found in your muscles, vessels, arteries and organs, including your gut and is most commonly used in conjunction with type I collagen for gut healing and to improve skin elasticity and hydration.
Bovine collagen contains both type I and type III collagen - both of which are found extensively in the human body, whereas marine collagen primarily contains type I. It’s thought that Bovine collagen is better for those who suffer from intestinal problems. It’s also key in skin recovery, healing and elasticity as it’s easily absorbed by the body. Marine collagen is also absorbed quickly thanks to its smaller particles, however generally there have been less studies done on marine collagen.
Discover the range
For the pill popper: Neocell Collagen Capsules
Neocell Super Collagen + C is a high potency, clinically studied collagen formula with added Vitamin C, providing a daily serving of 6,000 mg in convenient tablets. Neocell Super Collagen + C provides Type 1 & 3 bovine collagen - hydrolysed for optimal absorption and ethically sourced from free-range, grass-fed (happy) cows - plus Vitamin C which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, as part of a balanced and varied diet.
For the drink blender: Neocell Super Collagen Powder
Bring your inner beauty out with collagen powder for youthful, radiant skin. Our bestselling Super Collagen Powder delivers 10 grams of hydrolysed types 1 & 3 collagen peptides to support healthy collagen formation for beautiful skin, hair and nails. Offering 6,600 mg of pure bioactive collagen per serving.
Super Collagen Powder is unflavoured, easy to use and versatile - just add to water, coffee, drinks, smoothies and any other recipes.
For the hydration hunter: Neocell Hyaluronic Acid Blueberry
Feed your skin what it needs. The right nutrients – like Hyaluronic Acid – which helps to support skin hydration and maintain that healthy glow. Hyaluronic acid is an important polysaccharide found throughout the body, but concentrated mostly in your skin. It is able to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, allowing it to provide tissue hydration. That means Hyaluronic acid can lock moisture into your skin cells, keeping them hydrated, revealing supple skin.
For the Vitamin obsessed: Neocell Collagen+C Pomegranate 473ml
Neocell Collagen +C Pomegranate Liquid is a high potency, scientifically studied collagen formula with added Vitamin C, ionic minerals, pomegranate, cranberry and elderberry juice concentrates and green tea leaf extract, standardised for 50% polyphenols. Each serving supplies 4,000 mg of bioactive collagen and is ideal for those who want the benefits of collagen, as well as supporting nutrients, in a delicious liquid which can be taken straight off the spoon or added to water or juice.
For those dodgy knees: Neocell Collagen Joint Complex
Neocell Joint Complex offers Collagen Type 2 with the added benefits of glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid to support and maintain healthy joint function and lubrication. Collagen Type 2 is the key structural protein in cartilage tissue and deteriorates as we age. Neocell Joint Complex provides bioavailable Type 2 Collagen which is hydrolysed for optimum absorption. The Paleo-friendly formula is third party tested for purity, and free-from gluten, wheat, lactose, and soy.
