Obviously topical skincare merchandise play an enormous function in collagen manufacturing and preservation. The most vital factor you are able to do is put on sunscreen commonly to guard your collagen from UV harm. It’s the main reason behind pores and skin getting older—accounting for some 80% of damage3.
From there, you may wish to use topical substances which might be proven to advertise collagen manufacturing reminiscent of vitamin C, retinol, peptides, and AHAs. Vitamin C is significant for the collagen synthesis course of—plus as an antioxidant it could actually shield your collagen layer from free radicals. Retinol works along with your pores and skin’s retinoid receptors to upregulate collagen manufacturing over time. And glycolic acid has been proven to spur collagen4 by participating your pores and skin’s wound response. There’s much less analysis on peptides, however a rising physique of proof reveals that some choose choices can encourage collagen production5 within the pores and skin too.
But this is the catch: Only use these when you can tolerate them. If you utilize them at concentrations that overwhelm your pores and skin, they’re going to find yourself inflicting extra harm to your collagen layer fairly than serving to. Vitamin C, for instance, is a sensitizing ingredient for a lot of pores and skin sorts—particularly when utilizing potent variations at potent doses: If you discover {that a} 20% vitamin C makes your pores and skin flush or irritated, you are higher off discovering a decrease share or a extra delicate model. Retinol, too, is notoriously exhausting for folk to deal with: Stick to encapsulated variations, or solely use it just a few occasions every week, max.