Boosting collagen is the key to youthful skin, hair, nails, bones, joints, and more.
Collagen is a protein that forms the building blocks of much of our bodies, and its breakdown (1% per year after our mid-twenties, 2% per year in women after menopause) is a big reason why our skin gets looser, our hair thins, our nails become brittle, and our bones and joints feel less stable.
But the good news is, there is something you can do about it! Here are some simple tips to support and boost your collagen today!
Eat More Protein. Collagen is a protein, so getting sufficient amounts of protein building blocks in your diet is essential. Aim for approximately 100 grams of protein per day.
Eat Vitamin C-Rich Foods. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the production of collagen, as your body cannot make collagen without it. Eating the rainbow of different fruits and vegetables ensures you’re getting enough Vitamin C.
Drink Bone Broth. Bone broth is basically pure collagen, and although there are no studies that have looked at the effects of drinking bone broth on your collagen, many alternative health experts swear by it.
Take a Daily Collagen Supplement. Unlike bone broth, there are a TON of studies that prove that taking a daily collagen supplement can support the collagen in your body, with stronger nails, thicker hair, smoother skin, and even potentially stronger bones. My YOUN Beauty Supplemental Collagen contains Types 1-3 collagen, so it supports the collagen of all these body parts! Get it HERE and see and feel the difference.
Apply a Vitamin C Serum Every Morning. As I mentioned above, Vitamin C is absolutely essential for the production of collagen. But it also acts as an antioxidant to prevent free radical damage which can contribute to collagen degradation. Combining Vitamins C and E can exert a synergistic effect, so you get an even greater benefit than when they’re used alone. That’s why I apply my CE Antioxidant Serum every morning after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Apply a Retinol Moisturizer Every Night. Retinol is quite possibly the most scientifically proven skin care ingredient to promote collagen production in the skin. Apply it every night to every other night, depending on how well your skin tolerates it. Bonus points if you pair our Retinol Moisturizer with our Peptide + Bakuchiol Moisturizer for maximal benefits.
Try Microneedling. This relatively inexpensive in-office treatment was shown in one study to increase collagen production 400% after four monthly treatments! Supercharge your results by adding PRP (platelet rich plasma) or other growth factors or exosomes right afterwards.
Want to learn more? On this week’s podcast I go into a lot more detail about how to boost collagen, including revealing what simple, at-home treatment can boost the collagen and elastin in your skin and a lot more.
To listen on Apple devices, click HERE. To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
