Available in forms of powders, pills and creams, collagen supplements promise to create dewy and fresh skin, while promoting the strength of your bones, joints, hair, skin and nails. For this reason, it’s not surprising that collagen has become a widely used ingredient in the beauty and wellness industry. 

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of collagen supplements. 

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. According to Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, “It is the main the main structural protein that forms the connective tissue throughout our body, from skin to bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.”

With that in mind, collagen makes up 80 percent of the protein found in our skin, while working with another skin protein, elastin, which works to maintain our skin elasticity. As we age, the collagen production in our bodies naturally reduces. Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist, further describes collagen as the “ropes of protein in the skin.” While we are young, the rope is tight. However, as we age the rope begins to loosen and fray which results in our bodies not being able to replace its collagen levels as quickly as it is breaking down.

Beginning in our 20s, collagen production in the body starts to decline at 1% every year. This means dryer, looser skin, along with fine lines and wrinkles. A variety of factors including sun exposure, cigarette smoke, and pollution can also attribute to the breakdown of collagen in the body. In response to collagen supplements, Bowe states, “The concept of supplementing our collagen, especially as we age and as our body’s natural collagen production declines, is incredibly appealing from a dermatologic standpoint.”

Collagen peptides, also known as hydrolyzed collagen, is the collagen found in supplements. They are made of the same amino acids as the collagen found in your body, but are more easily absorbed into the body when ingested due to their shorter chains of amino acids. This makes taking a collagen supplement a favorable solution to the breakdown and lack of collagen production in the body. 

What's The Best Way To Absorb Collagen?

Collagen absorption (also known as bioavailability) can be difficult, as collagen is a large molecule. This is why most topical forms of collagen are non-effective, because they are too large to enter the skin barrier into the bloodstream. 

In this case, when you consume hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides, it can be absorbed easily through the intestinal barrier into the bloodstream. This is the function that ingestible collagen supplements performs. As a result, you can't control where the collagen you consume goes, but the body does its part in absorbing the collagen peptides to the area that need the repair the most. 

As with any trend, beauty and wellness industries have turned to include collagen in their products quickly – resulting in a variety of pills, powders, masks, topical creams, and liquids. 

Of these forms, powders are the most favorable and effective because they are versatile, easy to add to coffee, tea, smoothies, or recipes, and absorbed the most efficiently into the bloodstream for optimal results. 

When looking for a powder collagen supplement, make sure to find one that is high-quality sourced without added ingredients like preservatives or sugars which can be detrimental to your health. Wholy Dose collagen powders contain zero added sugars, are sourced from top quality collagen, and come in a variety of flavors to mix, blend, or add to any beverage or recipe. 

In regards to collagen creams, Dr. Bowe further states their inefficiency as collagen is produced in the deepest layer of the skin, also known as the dermis, which makes applying and absorbing collagen topically difficult to reach. 

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Collagen Supplements?

As mentioned, collagen is the most profound collagen in the body which means that it's responsible to the functioning and health of our bodies – not to mention our skin, hair, and nail health. When you consume collagen, it enters your body and makes its way to your bloodstream. The benefits of taking collagen are plenty, ranging from skin health to joint health. 

The most prevalent benefits of collagen supplements include maintaining skin moisture, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, plumping of skin, strengthening hair and nails, improving gut health, supporting healthy joints and bones, increasing metabolism, and reducing cellulite. 

Add a collagen supplement to your daily routine for better health, wellness, and beauty.