The benefits of collagen for skin and hair

The beauty industry is powered by demand for anti-ageing products that claim to give us youthful-looking skin and lustrous-looking hair. 

Some of them work, some of the time and for some people. But tackling problems like fine lines and wrinkles, dull-looking skin and dry, brittle hair needs more than slapping on a cream, lotion or mask. 

Sometimes, changes for the better have to come from within. Collagen, one of the wellness industry’s most talked-about products, can help that happen. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the impact this crucial protein has on our skin and hair, and reveal why our award-winning plant-based collagen drink delivers transformation, rather than promising it. 

All about collagen 

First of all, it’s important to know what collagen is, before we find out what it can do for our skin and hair. 

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. We make it naturally, by combining several amino acids, vitamin C, manganese, zinc and copper. 

The result is collagen: a triple helix-shaped structural protein. So far, 28 different types have been identified, with Type I accounting for 90%. 

It is found in our bones, connective tissue, fibrous cartilage, ligaments, tendons, organs, teeth and skin. 

Of the remaining 10%, types II-V are found in our joint cartilage, arteries, muscles and organs. 

Natural collagen production 

Collagen is in almost every part of our bodies yet, despite its importance, we can’t sustain its natural production for very long. 

By the time we reach around 30 years old, collagen output starts to decline by roughly 1% per year. At the age of 40 the slowdown accelerates significantly. 

For perimenopausal and menopausal women, the drop in collagen production often coincides with a slump in oestrogen, which can have some dramatic physical effects. 

Visible and invisible ageing 

Our once healthy bones are at greater risk of breaking, our muscles become weaker, and our arteries can become less flexible, putting pressure on our hearts. 

Our skin can become dull and prone to fine lines and wrinkles, while our hair can lose its lustre, become thin or even fall out. 

Physically, we can feel less strong and take longer to recover from exercise or injury. Mentally, seeing the effects of ageing can be a blow to our confidence. 

However, there is a way to slow down and, in some cases, even reverse the decline in your bones, skin and hair health: increasing our collagen intake. 

Adding collagen to a varied and balanced diet

We are all encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet and there are lots of foods we can eat to boost our collagen levels. 

They include bone broth, skin-on chicken, skin-on fish, organ meats like liver, oily fish and egg whites. 

You can also give your natural production a boost by eating foods with vitamins and minerals that are the building blocks of collagen, such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, beans, nuts and whole grains. 

If your lifestyle makes it difficult to include these foods, or you want a more convenient option, collagen supplements like our gluten, wheat, soy and dairy-free plant-based collagen supplement are excellent alternatives. 

Animal and marine collagen peptides 

There is a wide variety of supplements on the market but their collagen comes from just two sources: cows and pigs, known as bovine or animal collagen, and marine collagen from fish. 

Our bodies cannot process collagen in its whole form, so it is broken down (or hydrolysed) into collagen peptides: tiny fragments that can be easily absorbed. 

Most animal and marine supplements come as a collagen powder, capsule, gummy or liquid, and contain the essential vitamins and minerals needed for collagen production. 

However, serious questions have been asked about the collagen industry’s approach to animal health, sustainability, and its links to deforestation. 

Happily, you can have great skin and hair without impacting the environment with our plant-based collagen drink. 

Vegan-friendly collagen supplements

In 2022, science-backed, environmentally friendly VeCollal® was launched, enabling brands to create collagen supplements that didn’t rely on animal or marine sources. 

It is among the key ingredients in our plant-based drink, and while it exactly matches human Type I collagen, it’s not actually collagen at all. 

VeCollal® is a biomimetic: its formula mimics the essential amino acids found in our own collagen - which is not the same as animal or marine collagen. 

It is blended with vitamin C, Asiaticoside and Panax ginseng; plant-based nutrients that promote natural collagen synthesis. 

So, what are the benefits of collagen for our skin and hair? 

Skin

Boosts skin elasticity

Collagen is a structural protein, so it acts as a sort of framework for our bones, muscles and, of course, skin. 

The triple helix form not only firms up the deeper layers, it also retains water extremely well. This contributes to our skin’s elasticity, helping to plump out sagging skin. 

Reduce fine lines and wrinkles 

Too much time in the sun, eating too much sugar, smoking and drinking alcohol can be bad for us, but particularly for our skin. 

Together they can speed up the breakdown of collagen and elastin, hinder blood flow to skin cells and cut moisture levels in our skin, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. 

Our plant-based collagen supplement helps kick-start the production of new skin cells, giving it a supple feel, while also minimising the signs of ageing. 

Improve skin tone

Many people struggle with an uneven complexion, whether it’s redness caused by rosacea or darker circles under their eyes. 

Taking a daily collagen supplement can contribute to evening out your skin tone, giving you brighter, healthy skin and a more youthful look. 

Minimise scars

Collagen can also help minimise scars from skin conditions such as acne and stretch marks, and dark spots. 

Studies have also found that collagen supplements can promote healthy tissue formation, potentially accelerating your skin’s natural healing processes.

Hair 

A moisture boost 

Our skin is the biggest organ of the human body, and it can be easy to forget that it includes our scalp. 

As with the rest of our skin, if our scalp becomes dry and lacks moisture, it can affect our hair health - we’ll get to the specifics in a moment. 

Hydrated skin from collagen peptides means a healthier scalp, which is good news for our hair. 

Reduce hair thinning and loss 

The boost in moisture from our plant-based drink goes all the way to the skin on our heads. 

As well as soothing itchiness and reducing dandruff, a hydrated scalp can encourage the growth of hair follicles, protect them from damaging free radicals, and reduce the amount of hair that you lose. 

Proline, an amino acid found in collagen, is also a key component of keratin, the material our hair is made from. Daily supplements can potentially boost hair growth. 

Revitalise dry, brittle hair 

Once again, the hydrating power of collagen peptides has proved to be effective in helping revitalise dry, brittle hair.

Slowing the onset of grey hair 

If you’re not a fan of going grey, collagen supplements could potentially slow down the process, though more scientific research is needed. 

Its ability to fight free radicals, which can target cells that produce hair colour, could allow your hair to retain its natural shade, while boosting overall hair health. 

Other ways collagen benefits your body 

As well as helping give you youthful-looking skin and healthy hair, our plant-based collagen supplement has benefits for the rest of your body too. 

Type I collagen, which our supplement mimics exactly, is found in our bones, connective tissue, ligaments and tendons, as well as our skin. 

One dose per day can enhance your bone density and muscle mass, and strengthen your nails, connective tissues, ligaments and tendons. 

The extra moisture can also boost our joints, keep our arteries flexible and even enhance our gut health. Not bad for a single sachet! 

How much collagen should I take for skin and hair? 

The amount of collagen you take should depend on why you need it. To improve your skin alone, between 2.5 and 15 grams is the recommended daily dose. 

Each sachet of our vegan-friendly collagen supplement contains a generous 25 grams of VeCollal® amino acid blend, as well as 30 grams of soluble fibre. 

We also combined VeCollal® with other vitamins and ingredients proven to be good for skin and hair. They include hyaluronic acid and biotin, both of which boost hydration. 

Our plant-based supplement is dairy, soy, gluten and wheat-free. It contains no added sugar or artificial colours and tastes amazing, thanks to an infusion of Japanese plum. 

What age can I take collagen and are there any risks? 

Collagen is best taken around our mid-twenties, when our natural production starts to slow down.  

Although our plant-based drink is not suitable for pregnant women, there have been very few side effects from people taking collagen. 

Boost your skin and hair with our plant-based supplement 

There’s no time like now to try our plant-based drink, among the best collagen supplements on the market.  

Our offers include a 28-day subscription. Sign up and you will receive sachets of our liquid vegan collagen supplement every four weeks, plus a free bonus bundle.

Find all the details here. 

Questions or queries? Talk to us 

If you want to ask us anything about your skin-hair health, our plant-based drink, or any of the other products in the Arella range that aren’t covered by our FAQs, drop us a line.