Summary
What is collagen and why is it important for skin?
Collagen is the main structural protein providing skin with its firmness and elasticity. The natural decline of collagen as we age is a key cause of wrinkles and sagging.
What are the main benefits of taking collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements are shown to improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, strengthen brittle nails, and increase hair thickness.
How do collagen supplements work?
Collagen Beauty provides bioactive peptides that influence the skin’s collagen metabolism directly from the inside. Colladeen® Visage stimulates your body’s cells to increase their own natural collagen production. Together they help to replenish lost stores.
How long does it take for collagen supplements to show results?
With consistent daily use, studies show noticeable results for skin, hair, and nails can appear within 4–8 weeks.
The Collagen Conundrum: Your Skin’s Best Friend (and Why It’s Ghosting You)
Let’s talk about collagen. It’s the most abundant protein in your body, acting as the biological equivalent of scaffolding, holding everything together. Think of it as the architectural firm responsible for the structural integrity of your skin, hair, muscles, tendons and ligaments (1).
Your body, in its infinite wisdom, has its own in-house collagen factory. Tiny cells called fibroblasts, located primarily in the dermis (your skin’s middle management), churn out this precious protein (2). In your youth, this factory is a bustling hub of productivity, making more collagen than you lose. But as the years gracefully (or not so gracefully) accumulate, the fibroblasts start to unionise, slow down production, and eventually, the whole operation tips into a deficit (3).
This collagen decline is when you start noticing… changes. The once-plump areas of your face might seem a little less enthusiastic. You might spot a new line that you’re sure wasn’t there yesterday, or the area under your eyes might take on a more “mysterious” hue. Your nails could become as brittle as a flaky croissant, and your hair might decide to change its texture and colour without consulting you first.
Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with embracing the roadmap of your life on your face. Fine lines, wrinkles, and silver strands are badges of honour. However, if you’d prefer to keep your skin looking as radiant as a supernova, there are ways to politely encourage your collagen to stick around.
Enter the Reinforcements: How Collagen Supplements Can Help
This is where the science gets exciting. Our high-strength collagen supplement, Collagen Beauty, is formulated with VERISOL® Bioactive Collagen Peptides, derived from porcine collagen. We’ve also included biotin, vitamin C, and silica for good measure. This isn’t just a random concoction; it’s a formula specifically optimised to kickstart your collagen metabolism and tell collagen loss to take a hike.
You might be wondering, “What on earth are Bioactive Collagen Peptides?” Think of them as pre-digested collagen. Through a process called enzymatic hydrolysis, the long chains of proteins in collagen are broken down into shorter, more manageable pieces, making them easier for your body to absorb.
Once absorbed, VERISOL® gets to work by stimulating those sleepy fibroblasts in the dermal layer of your skin, essentially giving them a motivational speech to ramp up their metabolic activity. The result? A boost in collagen synthesis that helps to counteract the effects of ageing and environmental troublemakers. Users of VERISOL® have reported seeing increased skin elasticity, a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines, a smoother skin surface, and even healthier hair and nails within just a couple of months of daily use.
The Science Speaks: What the Studies Say
The world of collagen research has been buzzing in recent years, and the findings are giving us plenty to be excited about.
For Your Skin: A study involving 69 women between the ages of 35 and 55 revealed that supplementing with bioactive collagen peptides for just four weeks led to a significant increase in skin elasticity compared to a placebo (4). Another study with over 100 women aged 45 to 65 found that taking collagen peptides orally reduced the depth of their wrinkles after only four weeks (5).
For Your Nails: If you’re tired of cracked and chipped nails, some research suggests collagen supplements could be your new best friend. A 2017 study found that bioactive collagen peptides led to a 42% decrease in broken nails after six months (6).
For Your Hair: In a randomised, placebo-controlled study on 44 women between 39 and 75, those who took bioactive collagen peptides experienced an increase in hair thickness after 16 weeks (7).
The Dynamic Duo: Colladeen® Visage and Collagen Beauty
While Collagen Beauty focuses on replacing lost collagen, Colladeen® Visage works as its trusty sidekick, providing the necessary cofactors for collagen production and helping to repair existing collagen structures.
Colladeen® Visage is packed with anthocyanidins, the compounds that give plants their deep red, purple, and blue colours. These are believed to be champions of collagen integrity throughout the body (8). Their properties also help to shield your complexion from further damage.
We’ve also included lutein, a carotenoid that acts as a natural sunscreen for plants and does much the same for your skin, and green tea, a source of polyphenols that help protect against oxidative damage. To top it off, Colladeen® Visage contains vitamin C, which is essential for normal collagen formation, and biotin and niacin to maintain healthy skin.
Our own 24-week study on Colladeen® Visage produced some impressive results: a 6% reduction in wrinkle depth, increased skin elasticity and firmness, a 50% reduction in spider veins, and the achievement of a natural sun protection factor of 15.
Can You Take Them Together?
Absolutely! Think of Collagen Beauty and Colladeen® Visage as a dynamic duo for your skin. One rebuilds, and the other maintains and protects. Together, they offer a comprehensive approach to supporting your complexion as you age. While they can’t turn back the clock, they can certainly help you look and feel your best.
Want to Learn More?
If this has piqued your interest, you can find more in-depth information about skin health at Nutrition Buzz. Alternatively, our team of expert Nutrition Advisors is available to provide free, confidential advice.
References:
- Physiology, Connective Tissue. Nezwek, T.A. and Varacallo, M. (2019) Nih.gov. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542226/
- Histology, Dermis. Brown, T.M. and Krishnamurthy, K. (2018) Nih.gov. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535346/
- Fisher GJ, Varani J, Voorhees JJ. Looking older: fibroblast collapse and therapeutic implications. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144(5):666–672. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2887041/
- Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47–55. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/
- Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113–119. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24401291/
- Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, Siega C, Camozzato FO, Oesser S. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):520–526. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28786550/
- Oesser, S. (2020). The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides has a positive effect on hair thickness. International Journal on Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Novel Foods. https://www.nutrafoods.eu/index.php/nutra/article/view/9
- Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry). Murray, M.T. (2020) ScienceDirect. Available online: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323430449001229