As we get older, our skin tends to lose its firmness and elasticity. This is a perfectly normal part of aging, but it can be discouraging for some people. This process happens mainly because of a decline in collagen production.
Collagen is an important protein that gives our skin its structure. It’s not just important for skin health, though — it’s also vital for your joints and cartilage, healing brittle nails, improving the appearance of hair, and strengthening bones. A lot of people are using collagen supplements these days to address their aging skin and restore skin elasticity.
In this article, we’ll talk about what collagen is, and how it works for improving skin elasticity. We’ll also be reviewing some of the best collagen supplements for sagging skin. Let’s get right into it, shall we?
What is Collagen?
Did you know that collagen is one of the most abundant sources of protein in the human body? It essentially holds everything together and provides support to our skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones. There are several types of collagen, but the types that are most related to skin health are Types 1 and 3.
As we age, the natural production of collagen decreases. This can lead to visible signs of aging (like wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging or loose skin). Certain factors — like too much sun exposure, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and eating a diet that’s high in processed foods — can further accelerate this process.
This is where taking a daily dose of collagen could be very helpful. By providing your body with the building blocks (essential amino acids) it needs, these supplements may help to replenish and even improve your skin’s natural collagen levels.
Should You Take Collagen Supplements?
For most adults, quality collagen supplements are generally safe and might even be beneficial — especially if you're trying to improve your skin elasticity or reduce your joint pain. Taking collagen supplements can also be a good idea for people who are trying to increase their protein intake, promote hair growth, or get stronger nails.
Taking a collagen supplement doesn’t directly translate to more collagen in your skin. Your body simply uses the amino acids where they are needed (e.g. let’s say you have an injury — your body will use these amino acids to repair your skin tissue).
If you're considering adding collagen supplements to your daily routine, you should remember that eating a balanced diet (i.e. one that’s rich in protein, vitamin C, zinc, and copper) is very important. These nutrients are essential for natural collagen production.
Taking collagen supplements can be a great way to make sure you’re getting enough of these nutrients, especially if you don’t always get them from your diet. However, you might want to ask a healthcare professional before taking collagen supplements if you have certain health conditions.
For example, people with chronic kidney disease may need to limit their protein intake, so collagen supplements might not be the best option for them. Also, if you have food allergies (particularly to fish or eggs), you should check the ingredient list carefully.
The Best Collagen Supplements for Sagging Skin
It can be challenging to pick out a collagen supplement because there are lots of options on the market. Let’s take a look at some of the best collagen supplements for sagging skin from DermForge below:
DermForge Skin Rehab High Dose Collagen
Skin Rehab High Dose Collagen by DermForge is an effective supplement that combines Types 1 and 3 collagen. It’s formulated specifically to improve skin health, and can also be helpful for dry skin, or recovery after skin treatments (like laser resurfacing and microneedling). Here’s why we’d recommend it:
- Types 1 and 3 Collagen: These types of collagen are essential for maintaining skin elasticity and skin firmness. Type 1 helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, while Type 3 will help keep your sensitive skin looking nice and smooth.
- High-Quality Sourcing: The collagen in this supplement is sourced from grass-fed cows. This means it's free from antibiotics and hormones, which can sometimes be found in lower-quality products. Also, collagen from pasture-raised cows may have more beneficial nutrients (like omega-3s, for example).
- Healthy Skin Benefits: The combination of these different collagen types can help improve skin texture (i.e. it’ll make your skin look smoother and more youthful). It can also help keep your dry skin hydrated, which is great news for people who have skin conditions like eczema.
- Extra Benefits: Other than skin benefits, this supplement can also help support joint health and bone density. Needless to say, it’s quite a versatile option!
DermForge Skin Vitals Full Spectrum Collagen Capsules
Skin Vitals Full Spectrum Collagen Capsules by DermForge are designed to be a comprehensive collagen supplement. They contain several different collagen types (specifically types 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10). Here are the main benefits of taking these supplements:
- Skin Health Benefits: The combination of different collagen types helps to improve skin texture, hydration, and elasticity. In other words, by taking these supplements regularly, you’ll be able to maintain a youthful appearance.
- Joint and Bone Support: The presence of Type 2 and Type 10 collagen helps support joint health. This should reduce any discomfort you’re feeling due to aging and may promote mobility as well.
- Easy-to-Take Capsules: The capsules are super easy to swallow, so you shouldn’t have any trouble incorporating this supplement into your daily routine.
The Different Types of Collagen Supplements
Collagen supplements come in different forms (most commonly powders, capsules, and liquids). Collagen powders usually provide larger doses of collagen, but they need to be mixed into drinks or food. Oral supplementation is convenient, though capsules might have smaller amounts of collagen.
Gummies and even liquids can be a tastier option, but they sometimes contain added sugars, which is why you should always check the labels. The “best” type of collagen supplement for you will just depend on your preferences. Just make sure to choose a form of collagen that will be easy for you to take regularly (consistency is key).
Ingredients to Look for in Collagen Supplements
Here are a few key ingredients that might be included in collagen supplements:
Vitamin C (and additional vitamins)
Vitamin C is often included to help with collagen absorption. It can sometimes cause negative side effects like nausea or diarrhea, so make sure not to overdo it.
Zinc
Some collagen supplements include zinc to support skin health. Too much zinc can lead to adverse effects like stomach issues, though, so make sure to keep track of how much you’re taking.
Digestive enzymes & probiotics
These ingredients might be included to improve absorption, but they aren’t necessary for everyone. In some cases, these ingredients can cause digestive issues. It’s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider if you’re not sure.
Other Strategies to Tighten Sagging Skin
While collagen supplements can be helpful, there are other ways to tighten your sagging skin. For example:
Red light therapy
Red light therapy involves using infrared light to improve blood flow and promote tissue repair. It’s used for skin tightening, but also for pain relief, wound healing, and even stress reduction.
Lifestyle changes
You should avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Both can speed up skin aging and collagen loss. Make sure to use sunscreen when you go outside, too. Protecting your skin from UV damage can prevent collagen breakdown.
The Potential Benefits of Collagen Supplements for Sagging Skin
Taking collagen supplements could be an extremely helpful way to improve how your skin looks and feels. One of the main benefits of taking collagen supplements is that they can increase your skin's elasticity (and make your dry skin feel more hydrated).
This means your skin can become more flexible, look less dry, and be better at holding moisture (this should give you a glowing, healthier-looking complexion over time). For anyone who wants their skin to look fresher and younger, this is a major plus — just remember that the effects won’t be immediate.
Another benefit of taking collagen peptides is that it may help reduce wrinkles. Taking collagen will make your skin look smoother and should even soften fine lines (which typically show up as you age).
Collagen can also make your skin feel firmer and more supple (i.e. it may help you look and feel younger). As we age, our skin tends to lose its tightness (which can lead to sagging). Collagen helps to strengthen and support the skin’s structure. In other words, it’ll help keep your skin looking healthy and youthful.
Conclusion
Taking collagen supplements has become a very popular way for people with aging, sagging, or sun-damaged skin to improve both the look and the feel of their skin. It can also help tighten your skin after weight loss. Oral supplementation with collagen is also a great way to promote nail strength, nail growth, bone health, and thicker hair.
Remember, picking out the right collagen supplement (i.e. one that works best for you) will involve looking at the types of collagen different supplements contain. You’ll also want to look over the ingredients list carefully to make sure the supplement you want to take doesn’t include anything that won’t agree with you.
