By now, you should have already heard of the many amazing benefits a collagen supplement can offer. From increasing the skin's elasticity to reducing joint pain and building muscle, collagen is quickly becoming the supplement of choice. If you don't believe me, ask Jennifer Anniston. Face creams are bombarding the shelves touting extra collagen for wrinkles, and oral collagen supplements are taking the world by storm. It may seem overwhelming, but we are here to tell you and explain how collagen really does help in reversing the signs of aging, which means fewer wrinkles. Backed by science, collagen will improve your overall complexion and become your new best friend.

Although we all know we hate it, let's define what aging refers to pertaining to the skin. Aging of the skin is a continuous process that results from a depletion in the physiological function of the skin. Both natural and unnatural factors cause us to experience changes in our skin, including diet, sun exposure, hydration, and pollution, just to name a few. 

As time passes, the connective tissue in the skin leads to decreased elastin and collagen fibers that result in fine lines and wrinkles. This is where collagen supplements save the day. Collagen supplements may work by stimulating your body to produce more collagen on its own. Additionally, collagen supplements may promote the production of other proteins that help structure your skin, including elastin and fibrillin. Since collagen supplementation has been shown to increase the body's collagen production, it would make sense that collagen supplementation may improve skin quality and appearance.

The Correlation Between Collagen Supplements and Aging

Collagen is a hard, insoluble, and fibrous protein that makes up one-third of the protein in the human body. It is the main component of connective tissues that make up skin, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Collagen is the most abundant protein in a component of the skin known as the extracellular matrix, which is mostly responsible for the smooth, youthful appearance that we have when younger. Our bodies produce collagen naturally, but as we age, our body produces less collagen, leading to dry skin and wrinkles. The decline begins in our mid-20s and 30s and then takes a dip further as we get closer to menopause. In fact, older women can lose up to 30% of collagen production in the first five years of menopause, as if hot flashes aren't enough.

Because we lose collagen as we age, many beauty and health brands use collagen as part of an anti-aging beauty regimen. This is not new. The marketing for collagen products grew years ago when beauty brands began adding collagen as an active ingredient in many skin creams and serums. Companies claimed that collagen could improve skin elasticity, reduce visible wrinkles, and increase blood flow to the skin.  

However, the effectiveness of collagen as a topical application was doubted by consumers and dermatologists, as collagen is not naturally found on the skin's surface but within the deep layers. 

Studies indicate that ingesting collagen orally could reduce wrinkles, rejuvenate skin, and reverse skin aging by improving skin hydration and elasticity at its core. When collagen is consumed orally, it has been found to improve mechanical properties by increasing both the density and the diameter of collagen fibrils. In layman's terms, collagen supplements add moisture and elasticity to the skin by increasing the fibroblasts found in the various layers of the human skin that are responsible for creating the "glow" we all strive for. 

When it comes to choosing a great collagen product, there are several things to consider, including the type of proteins, how many, and its source. Checkable's Glow & Grow Collagen supplement was expertly formulated with the perfect blend of Type I, II, III, V, and X collagen proteins. Made from bovine, chicken, eggshell, and marine sources, our collagen supplements deliver a full range of collagen that stimulates your body to produce more naturally and slow down the skin's aging process. Hallelujah. 

Sound too good to be true? Well, science doesn't lie. Collagen peptides are the building blocks needed to make new collagen. When we take a daily collagen supplement, we restore collagen levels in the body. It usually takes at least eight weeks of supplementing with collagen daily before noticing the benefits, but we promise that it is worth the wait. Of course, in addition to collagen supplements, the best ways to prevent signs of skin aging are to use sun protection, eat a well-balanced diet, and avoid smoking.