When you look in the mirror in the morning, do you notice new fine lines on your face? While wrinkles are a part of growing older, they don't have to crimp your style. Sometimes, they're caused by collagen loss, which is a natural part of the aging process.
Here's the good news: there are ways to protect your body's collagen and slow down the visible signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles). One easy method is collagen supplements, which can replace lost collagen, strengthen connective tissue, and keep your skin looking smooth and supple.
What does collagen do for skin, and should you take a supplement? In this guide, we take a deep dive into collagen's purpose and how supplements counteract collagen loss from aging.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a key protein that's necessary for healthy skin and connective tissue. It makes up 30% of your body's dry weight and is found in the white fibers of skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage. This hardy protein keeps your tissues flexible and your skin looking smooth.
Scientists have identified 28 types of collagen protein in the body. The one that's most present is Type I, which makes up to 90% of the body's collagen. Specific types associated with skin include Type I, Type IV, and Type V.
Your body produces collagen from the foods you consume. Collagen synthesis occurs with several amino acids, including proline, lysine, and glycine. Chicken and fish support collagen production. So do fruits that contain vitamin C, such as berries, oranges, and grapefruit.
How Does Collagen Affect Skin?
Collagen keeps your skin tight and supple. It supports:
- Elasticity: Collagen provides structural tension that helps your skin bounce back in place when stretched or pulled.
- Hydration: High levels of collagen help your skin retain moisture. If skin gets too dry, you may notice more fine lines and wrinkles.
- Wound Repair: Collagen aids in repairing cuts and bruises to the skin.
When your body has high levels of collagen, you're less likely to see fine lines and wrinkles on your face. Neck skin is also tighter, with less creping and sagging due to improved skin elasticity.
How Are Collagen Peptides Different From Collagen?
Collagen peptides are made from collagen food sources, including fish and pork. The original source is broken down and transformed into a powder or capsule, which you can ingest as a supplement.
The idea behind collagen peptides is to improve bioavailability. When regularly consumed, they may make their way to the areas in your body that need them, like your skin. Eating collagen-rich foods may yield similar benefits, but collagen peptides for skin are more concentrated. They are also different from topical collagen which is applied directly to the skin.
What Causes Collagen Loss?
If your body produces collagen from the foods you eat, why would you need a supplement? That's a good question.
The reason is that collagen production starts to decline once you reach your mid-20s. This happens at a rate of approximately 1% annually. By the time you reach age 45, you can expect a slowdown in collagen production between 20% and 25% of what it was when you were 20 years old. Skin aging is real.
Other elements can affect how much collagen your body produces, too. They include:
- Regular alcohol intake (especially binge-drinking)
- Certain vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin A and C, zinc, copper, and manganese
- Sleeping too little
- Smoking
- Too much sun exposure - which is why sun protection from UV rays is important
- Too little exercise
If you can identify with one or more of those factors, you may face a steeper collagen decline as you age. Correcting them slows the rate at which your body slows collagen production, but it won't stop it altogether.
Is There Any Way To Stop Collagen Loss With Aging?
Currently, no. There is no foolproof way to completely stop your body from reducing its collagen production. But there are a few steps you can take to support collagen and protect your skin health:
- Exercise: Make regular exercise a part of your weekly routine. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly to enjoy health benefits.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals that disrupt your body's processes. And alcohol's diuretic effect makes skin prone to dryness and reduced elasticity. When you quit both, you may see fewer wrinkles and improved hydration.
- Keep sun exposure minimal: Too much time in the sun exposes your skin to dangerous ultraviolet rays, causing collagen production to come to a standstill. A hardy sunscreen, like Brickell's Element Defense Moisturizer with SPF 45, protects your skin when you're outside.
- Eat a healthy diet: Consume foods that support collagen production, such as fish, chicken, berries, and citrus fruits. Avoid eating too much refined sugar, since it can affect your skin's collagen quality.
- Include vitamin C in your skin care routine: Applying skin moisture and anti-aging products that contain vitamin C helps stabilize collagen production. Brickell's Repairing Night Serum and Resurfacing Anti-Aging Cream both contain this essential vitamin, contributing to firmer skin.
Should You Use a Collagen Supplement?
Taking collagen supplements for skin can enhance elasticity and improve hydration. That's the finding from an article published in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, which analyzed 12 separate studies concerning collagen supplements and their results.
The analysis looked at multiple types of collagen supplements and how they affected their participants. Supplements included oral powders, creams, syrups, and peptide complexes. Results varied, with some participants seeing a decrease in wrinkles, while others experienced better elasticity and less skin dryness.
If you're seeing the signs of aging, a collagen supplement may give your skin the boost you're looking for. It can work together with the topical skincare products you are already using to maximize skin moisture and skin hydration.
What Are the Benefits of Collagen Supplements?
Benefits of taking collagen for anti-aging include:
- Improved skin hydration and more skin moisture
- Better skin elasticity
- Enhanced hair and nail growth
- Stronger bones, muscles, and connective tissues
- Less joint pain
- Reduced visible skin aging
Results take time to appear. Most people start seeing changes within 8–12 weeks of daily supplementation.
How Do I Choose the Best Collagen Supplement?
Opt for a supplement that includes Type I and Type III collagen. This form of collagen supplement is meant to support skin health. Skip powders or capsules that contain artificial sweeteners and colors, added sugar, and preservatives. A quality collagen supplement avoids fake ingredients and is free of additives.
Does Brickell Offer a Collagen Supplement?
Brickell's Men's Collagen Powder is created with men's skincare needs in mind. It supports your underlying skin structure, helping to tighten loose skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. You'll notice less dryness, improved skin brightness, and a stronger skin barrier.
Our collagen supplement also supports muscle and joint recovery. It's among the best collagen products you can find.
What Ingredients Are in the Brickell Collagen Supplement?
Our Men's Collagen Powder is free of artificial additives. It includes:
- Grass-fed Collagen Peptides: Our collagen peptides are clinically proven to tighten sagging skin, minimize the appearance of wrinkles, improve joint health, and boost muscle recovery after workouts.
- Hyaluronic Acid: This potent moisturizer firms the skin and reduces fine lines.
- Vitamin C: A touch of vitamin C promotes an even skin tone, lowers inflammation, and repairs damaged skin cells.
- Ceramides: These help prevent moisture loss by reinforcing the skin barrier, so your skin stays plump.
Each premium ingredient is scientifically formulated to create a collagen powder that best supports men's skin care needs.
How Do I Use the Brickell Collagen Supplement?
The Brickell Men's Collagen Powder is unflavored, so you can add it to your favorite foods and drinks without disrupting their taste profile. It combines well with water, smoothies, coffee, and other beverages. All it takes is one to two scoops of the powder to start seeing the anti-aging benefits for your skin.
FAQ’s
Why Do Men Need Collagen Powder?
Your body produces collagen from amino acids using the foods you eat, but the process begins to slow once you reach your 20s. Lifestyle habits can decelerate the process even further.
Studies show that supplementing collagen can offset slower collagen production, supporting skin elasticity and moisture levels. Besides the skin benefits, it also plays a role in muscle recovery. Regularly taking a collagen supplement can help you bounce back after intense workouts and support stronger joints, tendons, and ligaments.
What Does This Men’s Collagen Supplement Taste Like?
The Brickell Men's Collagen Powder is unflavored. It combines well with any beverage without changing its taste.
What Makes This Collagen Powder Different From Others?
You can find collagen powders at virtually any supplement store, but most include only collagen and artificial add-ins, such as flavors and fillers. The Brickell Men's Collagen Powder stands out for its high-performance ingredients that support skin health, including ceramides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. It's the most comprehensive, grass-fed supplement available on the market.
Will Collagen Powder Supplements Upset My Stomach?
Collagen supplements are well-tolerated by most guys. However, they can cause general digestive issues, including bloating, gas, and heartburn, in some people.
How Long Do I Need To Use Collagen Supplements Before I See Results?
Consistency is the key to seeing results. Most guys notice brighter, more hydrated skin after taking collagen for four to eight weeks. Other benefits, including fewer wrinkles and improved skin elasticity, appear within eight to 12 weeks.
Should I Combine Collagen Supplements With Other Skin Care Products To Enhance Results?
Collagen supplements are only one part of a healthy skin routine. At bare minimum, you'll want to include a cleanser, face moisturizer, and sunscreen to protect your skin's appearance. Brickell offers each of these products designed especially for men's skin health. Check out our Redefining Anti-Aging Face Wash, which contains ingredients to reduce wrinkles, and its companion moisturizer, the Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream for Men.
