It’s no secret that beauty standards are high, and there is constant pressure to look your best. In comes collagen - the secret supplement to radiant health. But many people need to pay more attention to how essential collagen is for everyday functioning.
We want you to know that you don’t need to stress over unrealistic beauty standards. Feeling good and nurturing your body from the inside out is what’s truly important. And collagen can help. Read on to discover the best way to boost collagen and how to help your collagen from prematurely declining.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that keeps fibres elasticated and supple. It’s the most abundant protein in your body and makes up your hair, skin, teeth, bones, joints, and even eyes! There are many different types of collagen, and they all play an important role. Keep reading to find out how you can boost collagen naturally.
What Does Collagen Do in Your Body?
Collagen isn’t just there to make you look beautiful (you are already!). It’s a crucial protein with multiple benefits for a healthy, functioning body.
- Strong bones - Collagen increases bone density. Because you lose collagen as you age, bones become brittle and break more easily. That’s why using a collagen supplement is essential to replace the collagen you lose.
- Supple joints - It’s a vital protein that helps structure ligaments, increasing joint movement.
Read more: This Is The Way To Treat Joint Pain Quickly.
- Healthy digestion - Collagen has incredible benefits for your gut. It strengthens your stomach lining, helping your gut flora thrive.
- Plumps skin - Excellent at improving the skin barrier, collagen prevents water loss, hydrating and refreshing skin to create a luminous complexion.
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles - The plumping effect of Arella Beauty’s collagen minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In our independent study, 80% of women saw a reduction after just 4 weeks of taking Arella Beauty’s liquid collagen supplement.
- Increases hair and nail growth - Your hair and nails are mostly protein and need collagen to grow.
Read more: 7 Reasons Collagen Is The Secret To Hair Growth.
How to Naturally Boost Collagen Production
Learning and implementing different techniques is the best way to boost collagen. You can do it naturally and see a difference with consistent effort. Here’s what you need to do.
Take a liquid collagen supplement
The benefits of collagen supplements are plentiful. Unfortunately, many standard collagen supplements contain fillers. That’s not what you want and not what we want for you, either!
Liquid collagen is absorbed into the body far more effectively than collagen powders and collagen tablets. Ours is also vegan and protects the planet. It supports your body, restoring collagen you may have lost from age, hormonal changes or stress.
We’ve also infused our liquid collagen with Japanese Plum. That means it’s straightforward (and tasty) to take. You can do anything, from adding it to a hair boost collagen drink or creating a collagen smoothie for your gut.
Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a beautiful plant used for centuries in the wellness world. It’s got a spiky outside and a jelly-like consistency on the inside.
Aloe is great for skin health. It contains sterols, which break down and boost collagen production in the skin. It’s also a humectant and draws water molecules to hydrate and plump the skin. Another fantastic humectant is hyaluronic acid to revitalise your skin (which we’ve conveniently added to our liquid collagen).
Eat foods that boost collagen
Antioxidants cultivate collagen, and you know which foods are ample in anti-oxidants? Any foods rich in vitamin C. There are many fruits that boost collagen and plenty of veggies to stimulate collagen production. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Guava
- Strawberries
- Citrus fruits (kiwis, oranges, lemons and grapefruit).
- Cruciferous vegetables (kale, cauliflower, and broccoli).
- Tomatoes
- Yellow bell peppers
(Psst, we’ve included Vitamin C in our liquid collagen because we know how good it is!).
Read more: 5 Vegan Collagen-Rich Foods to Hack Your Hormones.
Try Ginseng
Ginseng is an energising herb that boosts collagen production in the skin. It’s anti-inflammatory and increases blood circulation, boosts bone density, provides elasticity for joints, and slows signs of ageing.
You can get ginseng in capsules or as a tea. We’ve also infused our liquid collagen supplement with ginseng, which is why it works so well!
Read more: The Truth About Ginseng For Your Skin.
Use infrared light therapy (NIR)
Infrared is on the light spectrum, but it’s not a colour visible to the human eye. Instead, you feel it through heat.
A 2014 study on NIR light therapy shows the incredible benefits of increasing collagen density. The light enhances collagen by penetrating the body to balance and energise cells so they effectively transit hormones. In a nutshell, NIR supercharges cells to work at their optimal level and boost collagen production.
You can get whole-body NIR lights, or one’s for specific areas of your body, for instance, your face or hair. You can also get NIR sleeping bags, which are great to snuggle up in while watching Netflix.
How to Prevent Your Collagen Levels From Declining
Ageing is a natural process - to get older is a gift! But we understand you want to live a healthy, happy, beautiful life. So, here are things you can do to slow down the premature breakdown of collagen.
Always get your beauty sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for glowing health. When you’re sleep-deprived, the collagen you have breaks down faster. This damages your skin barrier, and you lose hydration. That's why when you wake up from a bad night’s sleep, your skin may appear dull and fine lines are more apparent. It can also affect your heart and gut health.
Make sure you have a calming evening routine. Unwind before bed and get enough beauty sleep for your body to detox, restore and produce the collagen you need.
Protect yourself from UV rays
The number one cause of premature ageing is sun exposure. Sunlight destroys collagen fibres by breaking down their elasticity. This means skin can sag and hair becomes brittle.
Cover up with a high SPF, a hat, and light clothing to protect your face and body during the hot summer months.
Minimise fast-food and sugar
Fast and processed foods contain fatty acids that clog arteries and constrict blood flow. Excess sugar has a similar effect. Glucose molecules build up in the bloodstream, hardening and effectively shrinking the walls of your capillaries. Your body struggles to transmit the hormones needed to stimulate collagen production.
It's okay to eat fast food and sugar occasionally but keep it to a minimum to prevent premature breakdown of collagen levels.
Boost Collagen Naturally With Arella Beauty’s Liquid Collagen
There are many things you can do to boost your collagen levels naturally. And one of the fastest and most effective ways is to care for your body, eat well and take a liquid collagen supplement.
Read next:
- 7 Incredible Benefits of Arella’s Collagen Supplement
- The Beautiful Benefits of Vegan Collagen for Gut Health
- 5 Different Types of Collagen You Need to Know
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Written by Emma Carey for Arella Beauty.
Emma is a holistic beauty and wellness writer. She has three years of experience in the well-being industry and a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Wellness. Check out her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.
