I don’t think my eight year-old knows how good he has it. Every time I kiss his delicious, bouncy cheek, I say: “Look at all that collagen!” And—now that I’m seeing increasing signs of collagen loss at 45—I realize that I, too, once took my structural proteins for granted.
I was recently scrolling through photos and stumbled upon one of myself from a Christmas gone by, looking rather denser in the face than I do now. I texted the shot to my friend with a note: “Remember collagen?” To which she, at 49, replied: “I don’t know her.”
Alas, collagen degradation happens to us all—starting at about 20, in fact—and the first signs of it are easy to spot. “You might notice your skin looking a little less firm or bouncy,” board-certified dermatologist Noah Gratch tells Vogue. “Fine lines show up more easily, you may see sagging around the jawline or under the eyes, and your skin might lose that smooth, full look. Basically, if your skin isn’t snapping back like it used to, collagen loss could be the reason.”
Vogue’s Favorite Products to Slow Collagen Loss
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum
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SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
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Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
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Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
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Augustinus Bader Overnight Restorative Cream
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RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
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Plated Skin Science Intense Serum
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For the uninitiated, collagen is a structural protein naturally found in the body, but its reserves decline as we age; the less collagen we have, the more signs of aging we experience. “While we can’t stop collagen loss altogether as it’s a natural part of aging, there are ways to slow it down with the right approach,” Dr. Gratch continues. Healthy lifestyle habits are key, of course: avoiding smoking, eating a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet, and getting adequate sleep all contribute to a sound collagen-supporting regimen.
Next, consider your skin-care routine. Start by ensuring you have adequate sun protection. “The biggest culprit of collagen breakdown is UV radiation, so daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF is essential,” double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Akshay Sanan, MD explains. Sunscreen aside, the rest of your regimen is worth evaluating too. “While topical collagen itself can hydrate the skin, it doesn’t penetrate deeply enough to stimulate collagen production where it counts, in the dermis,” he continues. “What’s more effective are products that stimulate your body’s own collagen synthesis.”
With increasing buzz around regenerative ingredients like peptides, growth factors, and exosomes—all of which might slow down collagen loss—those wanting to hang onto bounce and firmness for a little longer have plenty of products to explore. And of course, retinol is the longstanding star of the anti-aging category. The only question is, which products deserve a spot in your skin-care routine? Ahead, experts and Vogue editors weigh in on the collagen-boosting ingredients to know, plus the best products that incorporate them.
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