We’re diving into the skin today — literally — and giving you the goods on what you need to know about collagen. First of all, what is it? Simply defined, collagen is “the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues.” For our purposes, we’re going to focus on the skin. Collagen keeps us feeling and looking great! We hear about it all the time — there are even skincare products that promise to boost it — and we want to give you some more info on it.

Found in the dermis (one of the middle layers of the skin), collagen plays an important role in the replacement and restoring of dead skin cells. With age, our bodies produce less collagen, which leads to wrinkles, as well as a subsequent decrease in strength and elasticity. So, what are some ways in which we can prolong the process of decline, and keep our skin’s elasticity intact for longer?

Go within.

Because collagen is a protein, it only makes sense that you can aid collagen production in your skin and body with the foods that you eat, whether plant or animal based. Zinc, copper, and vitamin C (also found in the Vitamin C Serum with citrus stem cells) are also helpful, and you can easily find them in fruits and vegetables.

Top it off.

There are so many products out there claiming to boost collagen from the outside. You have to do your research and find out which products are best for your skin, and which ones have the tried-and-true ingredients that will yield results. Hyaluronic Acid is a good example of a topical agent that helps to stimulate collagen (try the Advanced Hyaluronic Hydrating Skincare Primer). You can also speak to your dermatologist about a chemical peel. The goal with a peel is to serve as a chemical exfoliant that gets rid of the dead skin cells in order to reveal fresh, new skin, while stimulating collagen production.

Work it out.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of good ol’ fashion getting the blood flowing that helps! You should already be in the habit of regularly keeping your body moving, but imagine all of the benefits that come with it. Outside of the numerous health benefits, activities like yoga are good for stimulating the blood supply in your face. Combined with releasing toxins and delivering nutrients throughout the body, exercise may actually create the optimum environment and scenario for the production of collagen in the skin.

These are just a few of the ways you can keep your skin looking and feeling its healthiest. That’s really what it’s about, right? Feeling and looking healthy, not covering things up and temporary fixes. Go ahead and feed yourself from the inside and out, and take some time for yourself to get your body moving. We’re telling you, you’ll feel and see a difference!