Ready to start acollagen supplementroutine?
Welcome; we’ve got glowing skin here.
- But it’s not always easy to figure out how best to incorporate it into your routine.
First, there are so many options on the market; how do you know what to look for?
And once you make your purchase, how and when do you take it?
You’re in luck.
Your body cannot effectivelyproduce collagen without the antioxidant1.
(As if it hasn’t done enough already!)
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Take it day, morning, nightit doesn’t matter.
Others claim that if you use it as part of a snack, it can help keep you full.
And there is simply no research to support the nighttime argument.
Ultimately, you should take your collagen supplements whenever it’s easy and convenient for you.
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Stick to collagen types I and III for skin benefits.
However, it seems to do a number on the skin when ingested via supplementation.
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pop in III is a less understood collagen but no less interesting.
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If you’re in your 20s, start now.
Generally, this begins in your 20s and continues to decrease by about1% each year6.
“Our bodies always balance collagen production and degradation,” says board-certified dermatologistGary Goldenberg, M.D.
“When we are young, our bodies produce more collagen than we break down.
That balance tips the wrong way with age since tissue regeneration decreases.”
Basically, they won’t magically vanish existing, major signs of aging.
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Definitely use it if you’re in menopause.
This is especially true when entering menopause.
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Always double-check your collagen is grass-fed, pasture-raised, and clean.
Here’s the deal: All collagen supplements that actually contain collagen come from animals.
This includesbovineormarineand sometimes poultry (chicken).
For bovine, it’s best to choose grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle.
Additionally, you’ll want to check that that the formula is clean and transparent.
Also, keep an eye out for brands that are open and honest about their product.
If they make any benefit claims, there should be science to support them.
Here’sa listof our top (expert-vetted) picks.
Skip the creams.
The ingredient collagen as a beauty product marketing tool is fairly common.
And it’s not all for naught: Collagen does hydrate whenused topically.
However, it’s not actually doing more than thatand it’s certainly not aiding in collagen production.
Think about the whole picture.
Skin is a complex system that contains several parts to keep it healthy.
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Without all of these parts working together, the skin cannot function optimally.
mindbodygreen’sbeauty & gut collagen+also contains hyaluronic acid and a cocktail of antioxidants, so it checks those boxes.
- As for elastin,collagenhas been shown to encourage natural elastin production as well as collagen.
