Understanding Collagen and its Skincare Benefits

Discover the Power of Collagen for Skin with NIVEA. Find out how to use it and its age-defying benefits.

What's in this article?

Read Time: 7min

What is collagen & what does it do?
How to restore Collagen in the face
How to use Collagen for skin
Skincare Routine That Boosts Collagen
Takeaway
FAQs

What is collagen, and what does it do?

Collagen is a protein that our bodies naturally produce. It is, in fact, our most abundant structural protein making up one-third of the protein in our bodies. What this basically means is it’s the main framework for our cells and tissues, providing structure, strength and support throughout our body – a bit like the glue that holds everything together.

As such, it plays a key role in many of our major structures, including skin, hair, bones, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, cartilage and connective tissues.

Collagen is full of Amino Acids, that are important for our body to function normally. The right levels of Collagen keep our joints healthy, protect our kidneys, make sure our cardiovascular system is working as it should be and help our blood to clot.

Different types of Collagen

There’s not just one type of Collagen - our bodies actually make around 28 different types of it. Most are made of long, thin structures called fibrils that are strong and flexible.

The difference between these Collagens is how the molecules are grouped, their cells and where the Collagen is used.

Here are the five main types of Collagen, grouped by their distinctive functions:

Type I
Makes up 90% of our body’s Collagen and gives structure to our skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.

Type II
Found in elastic cartilage, it supports our joints.

Type III
Found in muscles, arteries and organs.

Type V
Found in the cornea, some layers of skin, hair and the placenta.

Type X
Found in our joints and bones

Type I and Type III are the two main types of Collagen in the skin and are widely believed to be the best Collagens to help against wrinkles.

What does Collagen do for skin?

Collagen makes up around 80% of our skin. Together with elastin (another protein) it’s what gives our skin strength and is vital for maintaining elasticity. Largely present in the middle layer of the skin (the dermis), Collagen has many benefits for our skin, keeping it firm, plump and supple. It’s also essential in our skin’s natural renewal process, shedding old skin cells and making way for new ones.

The benefits of Collagen for our face

Collagen plays a major role in keeping the skin around the face looking young. It provides strength, elasticity and hydration that all make for a visibly youthful complexion. This helps your skin to look:

Dewy and plump
Firm and smooth
Healthy glow
Supple skin that bounces back

The delicate eye area looks bright and revitalised

Our collagen levels are highest when we are young, which is why children have such smooth skin. However, as we mature, Collagen production naturally slows down. As early as our 20s, our Collagen levels deplete by about 1% every year. From then on, our bodies simply aren’t able to replace the Collagen we lose as quickly as it breaks down. The Collagen fibres also become thinner and weaker.

For our skin, this means we start to lose our youthful radiance and notice the characteristic signs of ageing:

Dryness
Thin skin
Loss of elasticity
Sagging skin
Fine lines and wrinkles

Collagen against wrinkles

As our bodies age and we produce less Collagen, our skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic. This is what leads to wrinkles and fine lines forming on the skin’s surface. NIVEA are big advocates for embracing the beauty of mature skin, wrinkles included, but also understand it’s important to feel good and confident in our skin. So if you are looking to reduce wrinkles, boosting your Collagen levels is one way to do it.

How to restore Collagen in the face

The good news is that there are a few ways we can help stimulate the production of Collagen in our skin when it slows down – even for mature skin.

woman with Cellular Expert Lift day cream

A good place to start is by incorporating Collagen-boosting products into your skincare routine:

NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol Anti-Age Day Cream SPF30 has an innovative formula with carefully selected Pure Bakuchiol to help boost Collagen and redefine facial contours. Macro & Micro Hyaluronic Acid intensively hydrates and smooths the skin’s surface whilst penetrating to deeper layers, for a long-lasting, wrinkle-reducing and plumping effect.

By night, try our NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Anti-Age Night Cream. Along with Pure Bakuchiol and Macro & Micro Hyaluronic Acid, it also has a powerful night balm formula that aims to help to boost Collagen and strengthen skin while you sleep.

Both creams are suitable for all skin types, including if you’re on the sensitive side.

Choosing the right skincare products isn’t the only way to top up Collagen levels. Here are some simple tips and tricks you can add to your daily life to get a Collagen boost:

Facial Massage
Massaging the skin on your face can help stimulate Collagen production and strengthen muscle memory. If the muscles in your face are more toned, they'll be better at retaining skin tightness, and more blood will be circulated around the skin, potentially helping to achieve a glowing complexion.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is always a good idea to flush out toxins and keep your complexion clearer. Keeping skin hydrated also helps provide a skin barrier for water loss. Collagen is able to bind to water and can naturally condition the skin to help maintain moisture levels which leaves you with brighter-looking, more even skin.
Eat well
Eating the right nutrients not only nourishes our bodies but helps produce more Collagen. Protein-rich foods, like bone broth, salmon, pork, chicken and egg yolks, are a great choice. Look at ways to boost your intake of Vitamin C too. Without Vitamin C, the body can't form, store or synthesise Collagen, and it's responsible for holding cells together during the creation of Collagen. Foods like broccoli, brussels sprouts, strawberries and pineapple are all high in Vitamin C.
Improve your lifestyle
Watch out for things that inhibit the production of Collagen and accelerate skin
ageing. Smoking is a big one, as it limits the blood supply to your face, which keeps the skin looking supple and healthy. Sun damage is another factor to avoid. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis and can damage Collagen fibres. Excess sugar and alcohol can also deplete Collagen levels and should be avoided.

Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid

NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 2-in-1 Anti-Age & Dark Spot Serum

Hyaluronic Acid is often talked about alongside Collagen, but how are they linked? Hyaluronic Acid isn’t actually an acid, but like Collagen, it’s naturally produced in the body and often replicated in skincare products. Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, which means it has moisture-retaining abilities and plays a key role in skin hydration. It’s a similar story to Collagen because as we age, we produce less Hyaluronic Acid, making our skin feel tight, complexions look dry and dull, and lines visible.

Hyaluronic acid helps bind water to Collagen, trapping it in the skin, which makes it seem plumper, dewier and more hydrated. As mature skin can be dry, it’s even more important to look for skincare products with both Collagen and hyaluronic acid that can deeply hydrate skin whilst also helping to combat signs of ageing.

Collagen-boosting serum with Hyaluronic Acid can be very effective for anti-ageing. This duo has the potential to smooth deep wrinkles, enhancing skin's strength and visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots. The new NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 2-in-1 Anti-Age & Dark Spot Serum is a Collagen-boosting face serum that utilises Hyaluronic Acid and the patented Luminous630 formula to work reduce signs of ageing.

NIVEA Luminous630

How to use Collagen for skin

woman holding a Nivea Cellular face cream

Switching up your skincare routine is an easy way to stimulate collagen production in skin. When adopting a new skincare regime, it’s important to take it slowly. Start with one targeted product, to begin with, and build up from there. Our simple skin care tips and advice are always here to help.

All NIVEA products are dermatologically certified and safe for your skin. When using a product for the first time, you should always check the packaging for instructions on the correct application.

The NIVEA Cellular Range has been carefully created using ingredients known for their ability to restore the skin’s elasticity. The Cellular Expert Lift creams effectively address skin damage by enhancing the skin barrier's resilience, rejuvenating the skin's framework gradually, and refining facial contours. Whereas, the Cellular Expert Filler creams restore volume to the skin and give it extra firmness while filling wrinkles and sleep marks.

NIVEA Cellular Creams

Skincare Routine That Boosts Collagen

1. Cleanse

Start your day by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type. This will remove any impurities or residue from the night before.

Discover NIVEA Cleansers

2. Toner

Apply a toner to balance your skin's pH levels and prepare it for the next steps.

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3. Serum

Look for serums that contain ingredients like Bakuchiol, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C or Peptides, as these can boost collagen production and enhance overall skin health. The NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift 3-Zone Serum is suitable for all skin types, the serum can help work towards more defined facial contours & skin elasticity.

Uncover NIVEA Serums

4. Targeted treatment:

This step addresses specific skin issues that can lead to a more even complexion. NIVEA Q10 Anti-wrinkle Targeted Filler is a targeted treatment that aims to reduce the signs of wrinkles on the forehead, eye & lip area and nasolabial folds in 2 weeks.

Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Targeted Wrinkle Serum

5. Eye Cream

Apply an eye cream to the delicate eye area. This will help brighten and revitalise the eyes, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Discover NIVEA Eye Creams

6. Collagen-boosting Day Cream

Day creams are beneficial as they provide essential daytime hydration and often include specific ingredients to address daily skincare needs. NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol Anti-Age Day Cream SPF30 contains Collagen Amino Acids that can penetrate the skin to stimulate Collagen production. It also includes Pure Bakuchiol, which further aims to help support Collagen production and redefine facial contours. Apply to your facial skin and massage in.

7. SPF

In the morning, generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF 30+ to your face and neck. This step is essential for protecting your skin from UV damage and preventing premature ageing. If included in the Collagen-boosting cream, then this may not be required.

NIVEA Moisturisers with SPF

8. Night Cream

NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Anti-Age Night Cream is a night cream that is enriched with Pure Bakuchiol to boost Collagen production while you sleep. The powerful night balm formula aims to strengthen the skin and support its natural regeneration process while you sleep.

Discover NIVEA Night Creams

Collagen For Skin - Takeaway

Collagen is a vital protein for skin health and vitality, providing strength and elasticity. As we age, Collagen production declines, causing visible signs of aging like wrinkles. Incorporating products like NIVEA's Cellular Expert Lift range into your skincare routine will help stimulate Collagen production. Lifestyle changes such as facial massage and Collagen-rich diets also support skin well-being. Embrace Collagen to rejuvenate and maintain a more youthful appearance.

Collagen For Skin FAQ's

Q1: What is Collagen, and why is it important for our skin?

Collagen is a powerful protein naturally produced in our bodies, providing structure, strength, and support to our skin and various tissues. It is essential for maintaining the skin's firmness, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance.

Q2: How does Collagen production change as we age?

As we age, Collagen production naturally decreases, leading to visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity.

Q3: Can Collagen be beneficial for all ages?

Yes, Collagen is beneficial for individuals of all ages. While it is essential to take care of our skin from an early age, incorporating Collagen into skincare routines can benefit and maintain youthful skin throughout life.

Q4: Does Collagen help with dark spots on the skin?

Collagen itself doesn't directly help with dark spots, but it can indirectly improve skin health and elasticity, potentially reducing the appearance of dark spots over time. To boost both Collagen production as well as target dark spots on the skin you can apply a dual action cream such as the NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 2-IN-1 Anti-Age & Dark Spot Serum.

Q5: Is Collagen safe to use on sensitive skin?

Yes, Collagen-based skincare products, like NIVEA's Cellular Expert Lift line, are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. However, doing a patch test or consulting with a dermatologist before trying new products, especially for sensitive skin, is always recommended.