Your Skin in Three Layers
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it is made up of three primary layers — the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis.
The epidermis is the skin’s outermost layer. It is the thinnest layer, but plays a key role in protecting you from elements in your environment.
The dermis, or the middle layer, is what determines the strength and structure of your skin. Here is where you’ll find the blood vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The dermis also contains fibroblasts, which are cells responsible for synthesizing important proteins like collagen and elastin.
The lowest layer of skin is the hypodermis, or the fatty layer. This is where you’ll find the sweat glands as well as additional collagen that supports the structure of the skin. This layer is also responsible for conserving body heat and protecting the body’s organs.
Collagen and Skin
Skin is made up of a complex combination of blood vessels, glands and lipids, but its structure and strength are determined by three primary proteins:
Collagen — The most prevalent protein in your skin, collagen is a primary component of connective tissue and helps keep your skin looking young.
Elastin — This protein works along with collagen to keep your skin firm and tight, giving it the elasticity that prevents fine lines and wrinkles from forming.
Keratin — A primary component of hair and nails, keratin also makes up the surface layer of skin to create a protective barrier.
When you are born, your body has a plentiful supply of these essential proteins which work together to keep your skin smooth and supple. Unfortunately, factors like sun exposure, pollution and the inevitable passing of time results in the break down of collagen.
Your collagen production starts to decline after the age of twenty. Collagen production slows at a rate of about one percent per year and, as a result, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile over time. This is why you may start to notice fine lines forming around your mouth and eyes, as well as deeper wrinkles on your forehead. Your skin may also take on an uneven tone or texture as you age.
Collagen Supplements for Anti-Aging
When your collagen levels are high, your skin may be smoother, firmer and more supple. As you age and your collagen levels decrease, you’ll probably notice some changes in your skin. Thus, collagen seems to be an important part of the skin care puzzle.
Unfortunately, you can’t actually measure your collagen levels. You can, however, look for visible signs of aging in your skin to signify that your collagen levels are in decline:
When these signs of aging first become apparent, your first instinct may be to panic. Before you take any drastic measures, however, you should know what works (and what doesn’t).
There is some scientific evidence showing a positive correlation between oral collagen supplements and anti-aging benefits.
A study of 70 women age 40 to 60 explored the benefits of oral intake of collagen peptide supplements for skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkling. Participants were assessed at baseline and after six and 12 weeks of receiving either a placebo or a 1g collagen supplement. At the conclusion of the study, participants who took the supplements exhibited improvements in skin hydration, wrinkling and elasticity.
Another study found that women who drank a collagen supplement beverage daily for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in wrinkle depth and skin hydration compared to the control group.
Additional Benefits of Collagen Supplements
There are a number of additional studies showing similar results to those already mentioned, leading researchers to suggest that collagen supplements stimulate the body to increase natural collagen production. Collagen supplementation is thought to provide other benefits, as well.
Not only is collagen potentially important for bone and joint health, but it is necessary for healthy muscle function as well. As much as 10 percent of your skeletal muscle tissue is made up of collagen and some studies suggest that collagen supplements may boost the results of strength training and stimulate muscle growth after exercise.