When it comes to skin’s structural health, however, one thing that is certain is the undeniable importance of collagen. In addition to these natural declines in both collagen reserves and collagen-production ability, “there are also environmental factors that cause the collagen to degrade, such as ultraviolet rays, pollution, stress, and smoking,” Icecreamwala says. What’s more, certain skin care practices can actually break down collagen levels in the skin even further—which is why it’s crucial, if keeping your skin healthy and staving off signs of aging is important to you, to incorporate collagen-boosting practices and ingredients into your routine. Here are some of the best ways to do so: In these ways collagen supplementation essentially protects the skin against the detrimental effects of photoaging2 and oxidative stress.* Bonus: Hair is made up of protein, too, and collagen supplementation has also been shown to have beneficial effects on hair growth and scalp health.* Such stressing could include dryness, general irritation or a feeling of tightness on the skin post-washing—all of which are counterproductive when you’re looking to promote collagen levels. Those with sensitive skin may benefit from avoiding foaming cleansers (try an oil-based version instead). Oppositely, those with oily or breakout-prone skin may want to seek out an exfoliating cleanser. The bottom line: It’s all about keeping your skin balanced. Choose a cleanser that’s formulated for your specific skin type or concerns, and don’t overdo it in terms of cleansing frequency, either. Find a cleanser that makes your skin feel calm, if not slightly moisturized, right after its rinsed off—and avoid anything that feels stripping or harsh in any way. They function as the “treatment” step of your routine and will do the most work. Here are three active ingredients shown in research to promote your natural production of collagen. Look for these in your serum or treatment: Retinol and vitamin C shouldn’t be used together at the same time; otherwise, general irritation will likely ensue—this is why we recommend retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning. Oh, and not all retinoids are created equal. Before you switch up your routine, read up on these truths you need to know about using retinol. Glycolic acids are also great for acne6 and oil control, perhaps making it the more suitable option for those with acne and oil-prone skin, who still want to take preventive aging measures. One of the best ingredients to support your skin barrier function are phytoceramides (or just ceramides). Ceramides are polar lipids, key lipids that are naturally present in our skin cells7. If you think of the skin barrier as “bricks and mortar,” ceramides are part of the mortar holding it all together—50%, in fact8. Luckily these actives are present in a lot of lotions and creams, at all price points. Using a quality sunscreen—every single day, even when the sun isn’t seemingly shining—is perhaps the single best way to protect your skin against the sun’s damaging effects. If you’re unsure which type of sunscreen to choose (understandable, given the current debate and ever-changing knowledge about the topic), opt for a mineral-based version that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Slather it on post-moisturizer as the final step in your skin care routine every day, then layer your makeup on top.
