Collagen, the most\u00a0abundant protein\u00a0in our bodies, can be found in our muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments and is perhaps best known for giving skin its firmness and elasticity. But as we age, we lose the protein throughout our bodies (and produce less), so stimulating collagen production becomes incredibly essential for our overall skin health.<\/p>\n
Other benefits of collagen for the skin, according to\u00a0Jane Yoo, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Jane Yoo MD Dermatology, include hydration, smoother texture, and improved wound healing and scar recovery. Because our collagen production naturally declines as we age (Dr. Yoo says we lose about 1% of collagen a year starting from our mid-20s), when we don\u2019t bother stimulating the collagen in our skin, we may experience sagging skin, deep static wrinkles, the loss of jawline and cheek definition, and thinner skin all around.<\/p>\n
Related: Everything you can do for \u201ccollagen banking,\u201d the method that preserves your collagen reserves<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe most important thing you can do for your skin is help it produce\u00a0collagen,\u201d agrees\u00a0Carrie Gross, cofounder of\u00a0Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. \u201cThis will help to prevent sagging, a loss in elasticity, and wrinkles.\u201d Gross helped her husband create his eponymous brand 24 years ago, and among all the amazing products they\u2019ve launched, one remains the ultimate cult product: the\u00a0Universal Daily Peel. It has won over several celebrity fans (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Sydney Sweeney, Lily Aldridge, and Chrissy Teigen, to name just a few) and promises the same glow-boosting results as the doctor\u2019s in-practice acid peels.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s so popular because it gives an immediate glow, but in the long term, it boosts collagen formation, produces density in the skin, protects the skin barrier, and balances the pH,\u201d Gross says. How else can one boost collagen and get the same glow? The experts share their tips below.<\/p>\n Vitamin C Is Key<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an active that you should use in the morning to protect your skin from free radicals in the environment and in pollution,\u201d Gross explains, adding that free radicals break down collagen fibers. \u201cAs we age, we produce less collagen and the collagen we do produce becomes weaker.\u00a0Vitamin C\u00a0helps create stronger, higher-quality collagen. It also increases its volume, which is why you should think about starting to use it from the age of 20.\u201d In Gross\u2019s view, vitamin C is as necessary to your skin-care routine as SPF.<\/p>\n Turn to Other Actives<\/p>\n Dr. Yoo points out several other active ingredients known to stimulate collagen that you can consider. The first is retinoids. \u201cThis is the number one for collagen induction,\u201d says Dr. Yoo. As we know, retinoids are the\u00a0gold standard for antiaging, as they stimulate collagen production and increase skin-cell turnover for clearer, brighter skin. She says to look to retinoids such as retinol and tretinoin for your routine.<\/p>\n Then there are peptides, which signal to cells to\u00a0boost collagen synthesis, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce inflammation. Other ingredients to consider include bakuchiol,\u00a0growth factors, vitamin B3, niacinamide, and chemical exfoliants such as glycolic and lactic acid.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Forget Eye Cream<\/p>\n \u201cThe area around the eye is normally the first to show signs of aging,\u201d she says. \u201cThere are many muscles around the eye, and when we talk and use expression, they affect that skin. Cheeks, on the other hand, have no sebaceous glands and therefore only need to be moisturized to prevent wrinkles.\u201d From your early 20s, she advises using a\u00a0sunscreen\u00a0in the morning and both a serum and an eye cream at night.<\/p>\n In-Office Treatments<\/p>\n The method Dr. Yoo says is the most effective for stimulating collagen is an in-office treatment. (Make sure to see a board-certified dermatologist you trust.) \u201cFractional laser resurfacing, radiofrequency, microneedling<\/a>, chemical peels, and\u00a0ultrasound therapy<\/a>\u00a0all work by creating controlled injury that triggers the full wound-healing cascade,\u201d she explains. \u201c[It\u2019s] the body\u2019s most powerful collagen-synthesis mechanism.\u201d<\/p>\n At-Home Stimulation<\/p>\n