Want to learn how to boost your body’s natural collagen production? Read our guide to uncover the top skincare ingredients to add to your routine.
Collagen has become quite a trendy topic in the beauty industry, with promises of restoring that youthful firmness and plumpness to the skin. As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, which can lead to visible signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. It’s easy to see why “collagen moisturisers” have gained so much popularity.
But here’s an important question: can a collagen cream really help rebuild your skin’s deeper layers? Research suggests the answer isn’t quite as straightforward as the ads might make it seem.
Collagen is a natural protein that serves as the primary building block of your skin. It creates a strong and flexible network just beneath the surface, helping to keep your skin firm, smooth and elastic. This essential protein plays a vital role in maintaining the overall strength and structure of the skin.
Collagen molecules are significantly larger than the size required to penetrate the skin’s outermost barrier, the stratum corneum. Studies show that for a substance to be absorbed through the skin, its molecular weight usually needs to be under 500 daltons. In contrast, natural collagen molecules are about 300,000 Daltons in size, which makes it physically impossible for these bulky proteins to pass through and reach the deeper layers where the body’s natural collagen is present. As a result, when you apply collagen topically, it stays on the surface of the skin, helping to hydrate and improve texture, but it doesn’t restore the deeper structural network.
When it comes to finding the “best” collagen moisturiser, it’s not just about the amount of collagen in the product, what really matters is how the ingredients work together. You want a formula that either encourages your skin to create its own collagen or helps to protect what you already have. When you’re on the hunt for something that genuinely boosts your skin’s health over time, keep an eye out for these scientifically proven ingredients.
Peptides act as powerful ingredients to boost collagen levels and minimise signs of ageing. They send signals to your skin cells, encouraging them to increase collagen production. These small chains of amino acids can penetrate the skin more effectively than whole collagen molecules. Once inside, peptides stimulate the skin’s natural repair process, helping to reduce wrinkles, improve texture, and increase firmness.
A notable peptide-rich formula is the MEDIK8 LIQUID PEPTIDES KEY SERUM, featuring Matrixyl® 3000, a powerful blend that encourages collagen production, giving your skin a firmer and smoother appearance. The Drone-Targeted Copper Peptide utilises advanced encapsulation technology to ensure that copper peptides penetrate deeply into the skin, aiding in collagen synthesis and repair. Plus, the Expression Line Peptide helps reduce muscle contractions to smooth fine lines, while carnosine protects collagen from glycation-related damage. The formula is completed with multi-weight hyaluronic acid, which hydrates at multiple skin layers for lasting moisture and suppleness.
They are derivatives of Vitamin A and stand out as some of the most thoroughly studied anti-ageing ingredients out there. They help by speeding up cell turnover and, importantly, boosting the production of new collagen and elastin fibres in the skin’s deeper layers. Over time, this results in a smoother and firmer look.
A product that effectively combines these ingredients is the EMEPELLE NIGHT CREAM. With MEP Technology at 2%, it helps your skin function naturally, while retinol works by boosting collagen, smoothing out lines, improving skin tone, and reducing discolouration. Niacinamide at 8% helps strengthen the skin’s barrier, evens out the complexion, smooths fine lines, and provides antioxidant protection. Additionally, the formula contains a blend of peptides that targets oxidative stress and strengthens the moisture barrier, while hyaluronic acid penetrates deeply to hydrate and plump the skin, resulting in a youthful glow.
Vitamin C plays a vital role in keeping our collagen healthy. It acts as a strong antioxidant, protecting collagen from damage caused by free radicals. It also serves as a crucial cofactor for the enzymes that drive collagen synthesis, ensuring the stability and strength of newly formed fibres. Without enough vitamin C, collagen production slows, skin structure weakens, and healing is impaired, making it a key ingredient for preserving youthful, resilient skin.
MEDIK8 DAILY RADIANCE VITAMIN C SPF30 is a two-in-one moisturiser that brightens the skin, shields it from damage, and helps maintain healthy collagen levels. Thanks to its 7% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C, it works to protect collagen from free radicals while promoting its natural production. Plus, advanced UV filters guard against sun exposure, which can harm collagen, and hyaluronic acid delivers deep hydration for that smooth, supple feel. Vitamin E boosts the antioxidant benefits of vitamin C, keeping skin healthy and radiant.
While hyaluronic acid doesn’t directly produce collagen, it’s an amazing humectant that delivers serious hydration. By keeping your skin well moisturised, it sets the stage for collagen production and helps preserve the skin’s structure, giving it that plump, smooth look we all desire.
A popular example that combines hydration with other beneficial ingredients is OSMOSIS QUENCH NOURISHING MOISTURISER. It features a blend of shea butter and jojoba seed oil, providing deep moisture and protection. Plus, sodium hyaluronate adds that extra plumping hydration which is necessary. The star ingredient, Caprooyl-Tetrapeptide-3, a biomimetic peptide, works wonders by encouraging your skin to naturally produce essential proteins like collagen. This combination helps strengthen the skin barrier, enhance elasticity, and diminish fine lines, leaving your skin looking firmer and more youthful.
Ultimately, the best moisturiser for boosting collagen isn’t just about the word “collagen” on the label, but it’s about the science behind the ingredients. It’s not about a quick fix; the key is to take a smarter approach to your skincare routine. By opting for products that contain effective ingredients like peptides, retinoids, and vitamin C, you’re giving your skin the tools it needs to support its own collagen production. And don’t forget to use a daily sunscreen to shield your skin’s collagen, and you’ll be well on your way to a firmer, more resilient complexion.
