In Collagen We Trust

It is the reason your skin stays firm and youthful but also the reason it eventually doesn't

- By Sukriti Shahi

The beauty & grooming industry is always raving about one new ingredient or the other, especially when it comes to skincare products.

While collagen has been a trending topic for a while, it keeps coming up frequently for its new and innovative formulation. You've probably read or heard the word collagen often, especially across skincare ads, supplements, etc. Collagen isn’t just a buzzword—while its conversation first started with in-clinic treatments to increase cell-turnover for better collagen production, it soon moved to topical application of creams and terms that can help the skin build collagen. And the most recent of all is oral collagen. But do any of these actually work? And most importantly, what exactly is collagen?

Collagen is a structural protein that keeps the skin firm, smooth, and healthy. Think of it as the scaffolding under your skin; like building blocks that make for a strong foundation for the health of your skin. When the skin has plentiful collagen, It looks tight and bouncy but when it runs low, you start to see sagging, wrinkles, and a dull face. “Collagen keeps the skin young, supple, and compact. However, it degrades with age, sun exposure, and bad lifestyle like alcohol consumption and smoking,” says Dr Madhuri Agarwal, celebrity dermatologist and founder of Yavana Aesthetics.

Starting in your mid-20s, your body naturally begins producing less collagen. That's why your 45-year-old self doesn't have the same skin as your 25-year-old self. Ageing slows down the production of collagen, but lifestyle habits like sedentary lifestyle, stress, smoking, bad diet and environmental factors like harsh UV rays and pollution play a bigger role in the depletion of collagen levels.