Most of us aim for firm, healthy-looking skin, and the ticket to that is collagen. We were born with an abundance of the stuff, but as we age, it declines. In fact, between the ages of 25 and 30, we start to lose one per cent of collagen every year. Enter collagen banking, the new buzz term for focusing on different beauty techniques that help replenish and preserve your natural collagen stores. Edtior Trudi Brewer shares this skin-firming trend.
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Before we unpack this trend, here’s a quick science lesson. The most abundant protein in the body is collagen, made by fibroblasts. It supports and maintains the structure of the body's tissues, including the skin, generating resistant, strong, and flexible fibres known as collagen. Collagen production naturally slows as we age, which is when skin starts to wrinkle and sag.
What is collagen banking?
Collagen starts to decline when you look your best, so preserving (or even attempting to boost) your natural collagen is vital to keeping firm skin. Collagen banking is taking a proactive approach: stimulating protein production before and during that decline. Think of it like a savings plan that allows you to invest in your skin’s elasticity. The earlier you try to preserve your collagen, the better your skin will look as you age.
How to collagen bank your beauty routine
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy (one of our favourite skin treatments), involves using tiny needles to puncture the skin and create a wound. That tiny wound encourages the body to produce more collagen, making the skin look fresher and more youthful.
Collagen supplements: Plenty of research proves collagen supplements can help with joint, muscle, skin, nail, and hair health. Most commonly, collagen is found in powders, gels, or capsules, and the collagizing is either marine, bovine, or porcine. However, there are now plenty of plant-based proteins, typically extracted from hemp, soy, and peas. Today, you do not have to avoid collagen supplements if you are vegan.
Collagen-based serums and creams: This protein peptide-rich skincare effectively boosts skin elasticity and firmness.
Vitamin C: Acts as an intermediary in the body's collagen synthesis and enhances its effectiveness, reinforcing the protein’s anti-ageing benefits. In addition to supplements, cram your diet with dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and peppers.
Sun protection: It’s a no-brainer. Applying an SPF daily protects your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays that deplete our collagen reserves.
Here are the collagen-boosting beauty buys we rate
Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Serum, $180.
Dermalogica knows the benefits of collagen banking; they have created a serum named after this trend. This serum is loaded with peptides to ramp up your skin’s natural production of collagen and antioxidants that help ward off harmful free radicals. Within weeks, the skin feels softer, smoother, and firmer.
NAKED SUNDAYS SPF50+ COLLAGEN GLOW 100% MINERAL PERFECTING PRIMING LOTION, FROM $28
This is a multi-benefit beauty buy. It has mineral SPF 50+, hydrating collagen, and vitamin C to boost the skin. It also has a hint of a tint that blends effortlessly to give your skin an instant, flawless glow.
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil, $65.
A face oil is a brilliant addition to any beauty routine in winter. This luxe-y face oil, inspired by a top British makeup artist, uses plant-based collagen from sweet lupine seed coatings. Also, cocoa bean extract and avocado oil are loaded with fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E to keep your skin nourished and sporting a healthy-looking sheen.
Jeuneora GoLightly Plump & Protect Day Cream, $88.
Famous for collagen supplements, Jeuneora also makes banging skincare too. This day cream is an excellent example of that. It firms and protects the skin with super ingredients. One is Arctalis, a marine extract that helps protect your skin from digital blue light pollution while boosting your collagen production, protein peptides, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil rich in vitamin E, and antioxidant-rich Kakadu plum oil, which defends against environmental stressors. If you’re looking for one moisturiser to do it all, this is a great multitasker that doubles as a day and night cream.
ADASHIKO COLLAGEN PURE, $65.
Tasteless, odourless, and potent, this collagen supplement is known as "super collagen" because of its tiny molecule size of 3000 Daltons (molecular mass unit), making it ready to absorb in the bloodstream. It’s a pharmaceutical-grade pure, porcine collagen with vitamin C; Adashiko Collagen Joint and Collagen Ultra are also available.
How to take it: Two scoops in hot or cold drinks, baking - we have even served it in a summery mimosa.
Ideal for Christmas gifting.