by Annie Vischer
Did you know that as early as in our 20s, the production of collagen can decline by around 1% each year? Scary. So it’s fair to say we’d ideally like to give it a boost. The lack of it causes fine lines, wrinkles and a general loss of elasticity in the skin. No matter how much you stay out of the sun, don’t smoke, drink water, it’s going to happen. But thanks to the beauty people in the business, it seems we can stave off the effects a little. And here are our favourite of those products that promise to help us do so.
If you’re after an instant pick-me-up for skin then here it is. Time Bomb Collagen Bomb Essential Skin Fuel (£39.00) is supercharged with ingredients such as davilla rugosa leaf extract, brown algae, borage oil and micro-collagen to catalyse the production of collagen within the skin. It evens skin, making it appear fuller, firmer and more even. Apply morning and night. Skin will instantly look and feel tighter and smoother, and more longterm effects are promised to come with constant use. Time to blast those fine lines and wrinkles away!
This one handles collagen from the inside. As in you drink it, you don’t apply it. Fountain The Phyto-Collagen Mollecule (£39.99) contains 500mg of hydrolysed collagen in each daily dose (2 teaspoons – 10ml). It’s made up of a special Swiss collagen, which is made up of smaller molecules, making them more easily absorbed. We advise adding 2 teaspoons of this to a juice or smoothie, or you could take them like a medicine a la Mary Poppins, though we can’t promise it will taste as great as hers seemed to. This potion promises to regulate and retain moisture within tissues and increase the amount of collagen present, keeping skin firmer for longer.
We love a face spritz here at Beauty And The Dirt, and the Face Matters Pure Collagen Spritz (£50.00) doesn’t disappoint. It’s a pure mineral silicon spritz that is designed to at once hydrate and stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. Use morning, night and throughout the day to give your skin a lift. It’s a plane journey must have, and will help you avoid those drying and dulling effects of a long-haul flight.
That the brand new SkinCeuticals Reservatrol B E Night Concentrate (£120.00) uses reservatrol in its title is testament to its power. So what is it? It’s a strong antioxidant found in the likes of grapes, berries and nuts. It’s known as the ‘longevity’ molecule due to the part it plays in prolonging the life of various natural plant species. Studies have shown that it works by neutralising free radical damage within cells, and that this same biology can be applied to skin. SkinCeuticals have taken this research and run with it. Couple it with the knowledge that night time is the most opportune time period to repair and nourish skin, and you have SkinCeuticals Reservatrol B E Night Concentrate. This newbie in the beauty world promises to boost skin’s defences, and lessen the visible effects of aging with Collagen III and Collagen I, firming and smoothing as it goes.
The collagen aspect of Decleor Prolagene Lift & Firm Day Cream (£69.50) comes in with L-Proline, which, together with Vitamin C, is crucial in the synthesis of collagen. The Decleor Prolagene Lift & Firm Day Cream combines this ingredient with soy extract, white sage and iris essential oil to at once nourish skin and enhance its appearance. It’s delicately scented with floral notes too, making it an absolute dream to apply. This is a no-brainer buy to promote a collagen boost during the day. Just remember to wear a base with an SPF as that’s the only thing that this cream is missing.