Life can sometimes seem like it’s full of no-win situations. Catch-22s, if you will. Like, for instance, if your best friend asks how she looks in that new pink sweater she just got, but that color does her no favors, yet she already cut the tags off it.
Yep, we’ve all been there. And no matter how you approach it, you run the risk of offending your bestie, or you let her walk around in an expensive shirt that washes out her otherwise beautiful face.
Here’s another one that we all have (or will eventually!) face: aging gracefully. What does that even mean, anyway? Far too often in society, we’re shamed for doing the unthinkable -- growing older and yes, more mature.
Gasp. How dare we? But again, that’s another one of those classic Catch-22s.
If you do it naturally, you’re shamed for having the audacity to look your age. And if you try to do something about it? Well, there’s the scandal of getting caught “having work done.”
Ugh, you see? You just can’t win. Fortunately, there’s a middle ground here that allows you to look your very best at any age, without raising the hackles of the judgmental people who may want to chime in with their two cents.
We’re talking about collagen peptides here. Whether you’ve heard of these little heavy lifters before, or this is your first exposure to collagen peptides, we’ve probably got your curiosity piqued, right? Not only are collagen peptides a safe and affordable alternative to a facelift, but they’re also clinically proven to work!
Now, we’re going to be getting a little bit science-y here today, but don’t worry. We’re trading out our white lab coat for a cute blazer (just not, y’know, in pink) and will be hitting you with the facts in an easy-to-digest package so you can learn everything you need to know about collagen serum benefits.
Excited? We are, too. Let’s go ahead and dive in, shall we?
But First, What is Collagen?
Before we can really explain precisely why you need collagen, you have to first understand what it is. After all, why would you want to apply something to your face without knowing why you’re doing it in the first place?
In brief, collagen is a protein, but it’s not just any kind of protein. It also just so happens to be the one that’s found in the most abundance in your body.
It’s not just in your skin, either. Collagen is in your bones, your connective tissue (like your joints, cartilage, and tendons), and even in your muscles. In fact, nearly one-third of your body’s total protein content is made of collagen, and it also provides three-quarters of the total dry weight of your skin. (Source 1)
There are two types of collagen that can be found, as well. First, there’s endogenous collagen, or the stuff that naturally occurs in your body. It’s used for a variety of functions, such as keeping your body and skin healthy and flexible.
Then there’s exogenous collagen. That’s the collagen that your body doesn’t produce, and it comes from outside sources, such as supplements. Generally, its job is to keep your skin firm and supple (and some athletes even use it to improve their performance, too!).
As we age, our bodies start to produce less and less endogenous collagen. In turn, you may start to notice those little fine lines cropping up around your eyes or next to your lips. At this point, that’s when we should start to reach for the exogenous collagen to give us a lil’ boost. (Source 6)
And boost us it does! We wouldn’t call the benefits of using a collagen serum “little,” either. They’re actually pretty amazing, if we do say so ourselves.
From adding much-needed hydration back into your dermis to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, collagen peptides are uh-mazing for your skin’s health. But let’s give the science a chance to do the speaking for the many collagen serum benefits for itself, okay?
Benefit #1: Hydration Galore
Contrary to popular belief, having dry skin doesn’t necessarily mean your skin will age faster. What it does mean, however, is that your skin will appear more aged if it’s dry. The logical conclusion, therefore, is more hydration = younger-looking skin.
And guess what? Topical collagen peptides, like our BOUNCEBACK peptide serum, have been shown to dramatically improve the moisture content of your skin. (Sources 2 & 4)
By increasing the moisture levels of your skin, not only will it look more youthful and supple, but it’ll also be more healthy, too. That’s because epithelial cells (the ones that work in wound healing) move across a moist surface much easier. (Source 3)
But how does this work? Basically, hydrolyzed collagen is hygroscopic, which means it acts like a magnet to water. When applied to your skin, it draws moisture out of the air, imparting it into your stratum corneum (the outermost part of your dermis). (Source 4)
The result? Healthy, hydrated skin!
Benefit #2: Fewer Fine Lines
Of course, topical collagen peptides don’t just improve the appearance of wrinkles. The benefits of using a collagen serum includes even addressing and treating the fine lines themselves, all but banishing them to the great void.
In other words, the use of a collagen infusion serum isn’t just going to make you look better. It’s actually getting rid of those wrinkles altogether, reducing both their depth and their appearance. The way it does this is multi-fold.
First, the application of a collagen serum is going to improve the lipid content of your skin. This means healthier, less dry skin overall. Then there’s the fact that it also helps to safeguard your skin against something called “matrix metalloproteinases” (MMP) damage, which can lead to collagen breakdown. (Sources 4 & 6)
This MMP damage has been implicated in aging your skin, and over time, it can lead to deeper wrinkles and lines. However, by targeting the extracellular matrix (ECM) with a collagen peptide, you’re stopping the wrinkles in their tracks and getting rid of the existing ones.
Less damage, healthier skin, fewer wrinkles. It’s a win-win situation all around.
Benefit #3: Improved Skin Texture
What if you weren’t too worried about fine lines and wrinkles on your face? Could a collagen peptide stem cell serum benefit you still? The answer is, not surprisingly, still a solid “yes.”
Using a topical collagen serum has also been shown to help improve your skin texture, too. Again, this isn’t just pertaining to wrinkles, either. It can also help promote significantly better elasticity, too.
Here’s an example, just in case you wonder what we mean. When you lose weight, your skin’s texture can be impacted. This can lead to drooping, sagging skin -- and not just on your body, either.
Your face can also start to grow lax, too. UV damage can also trigger skin laxity issues. But with the application of a collagen peptide serum, your skin can start to look firmer and tighter right away. (Sources 2 & 4)
These other collagen serum benefits are long-lasting, as well. While you’ll start to see the results within minutes of the initial application, over time, they add up. The more you use it, the better your results will be. (Sources 2 & 6)
If you happen to be one of those unlucky souls who are plagued by large, visible pores, take heart. Collagen has also been shown to reduce the appearance of pores on your face, leading to that much-coveted “glass skin” that’s taken the world by storm. (Sources 2 & 4)
So nope, collagen isn’t just for mature ladies. Younger gals can also benefit from it, too!
Benefit #4: Protection Against Pathogens
Another way collagen peptides can benefit your skin is by protecting it from pathogenic bacteria. While that may seem like a secondary benefit, it’s actually more important than you might realize.
Using a topical collagen infusion serum can restore your skin’s pH balance. The thing is, your face is extremely sensitive to any and all changes, and something as simple as modifying its pH can be just like setting out a welcome mat for nasty germs. But collagen peptides can help keep it in check. (Source 4)
In turn, you’ll find that your skin has a much healthier flora (the healthy bacteria on it) and improved lipid barrier. And in maintaining that balance, you’re less likely to get unwanted skin conditions cropping up on your face, like atopic dermatitis and even good ol’ acne vulgaris. (Source 4)
So if you want to kiss those spots goodbye? Then say hello to your new BFF, collagen peptides. The collagen serum for the face benefits really just keeps adding up, don’t they?
Benefit # 5: A Serious Glow
There’s nothing quite like having a gorgeous glow from within. For many people, being a beautiful person on the inside really shows on the outside. Alas, not all of us are fortunate enough to have an inner beauty that likes to shine through to the outside, though.
Even if you’re the most amazing and kind person in the entire world, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to also look good. And if you want your skin to match the radiant spark you have inside you, then you need to give collagen a chance.
The name of the game here is teamwork. By acting on your skin’s hydration levels, improving its lipid barrier, and smoothing out your fine lines and pores, you’re going to start to see that luminous glow you so crave when you look in the mirror. (Sources 2, 4, & 6)
It’s like the trifecta of awesomeness here for beautiful skin. And that trifecta leads to the bifecta you deserve -- being stunning on the inside and the outside!
Benefit # 6: Anti-Aging Antioxidants
We all know the benefits of antioxidants, especially since they’ve been both literally and figuratively shoved down our throats for the past couple of decades. But what exactly is the mechanism of action for an antioxidant, and how does it help your skin?
On any given day, your body is going to produce a vast number of oxidants, or free radicals. These free radicals are the byproducts of anything ranging from your everyday metabolism (breaking down the food you eat, for instance) and even UV damage.
They sort of ping-pong through your body, causing a wake of oxidative stress in their path. This can damage your cells, your DNA, and yep, the protein matrix on your body. Once it does that, your body can start to age much faster. (Source 5)
Collagen peptides, however, are a known powerful antioxidant. The hydrophobic amino acids found inside a collagen peptide serum can neutralize the oxidative damage caused by the free radicals, leading to healthier skin. (Sources 4 & 6)
Sure, drinking an antioxidant-laden green smoothie can work wonders for your skin, but who has the time (or the palate) to chug one of those down? Instead, consider a collagen peptide serum the green smoothie for your skin. And you don’t even have to plug your nose to enjoy its benefits!
Benefit # 7: Long-Lasting Results
Finally -- and this is arguably one of the most important collagen serum benefits -- is that it isn’t just a one-and-done sort of deal. Yes, you’ll start to notice immediate improvement upon application, but it doesn’t stop there.
Over time, repeated use of collagen peptides has shown to have lasting results. Even hours after you apply it, your skin will continue to look taut, healthy, and radiant. As the days pass into weeks and months and years, your skin will only improve with each application. (Sources 2 & 6)
Now, this doesn’t mean you can just stop using it once you start to see the results you like. If you quit using the serum, then your skin will start to go back to the way it was before you started it. That’s why you need to continue to use it.
Taking care of your skin is an ongoing process, and the hands of time will continue their steadfast march across the clock of life. (How’s that for an analogy?) But a collagen peptide serum can help slow it down.
You’re going to age, regardless. But collagen peptides can help mitigate that damage, not only slowing down the aging process, but even reversing it. A combination of factors is working to hurt your skin, but collagen will fight them on your behalf.
Isn’t it nice, having such a good friend in your corner? Once you look at it like that, collagen truly is your new bestie.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the many benefits of collagen peptides more than speak for themselves. But using a collagen peptide serum is so much more than wanting to look your best, though. It’s also about showing your face some TLC and treating it with the care and love it deserves.
Your face is often going to be the first impression another person is going to have of you. No, you should never judge a person by their appearance, but the sad fact is, people are going to do it anyway. If you could use a product that will help you put your best face forward, why wouldn’t you do it?
Fortunately, collagen peptide serums do literally just that. By restoring your skin’s hydration levels, reinforcing its lipid barrier, healing it from within, and even treating its textural issues, you can finally achieve the flawless skin you desire.
Not only is a collagen peptide serum so much better than an invasive procedure (and so much more affordable and safer, too!), but it’s the very embodiment of grace. And by showing yourself some grace when you take care of your skin, you’re also taking care of yourself.
And you know what? You absolutely deserve it.
Sources:
Source 1: Collagen Structure and Stability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2846778/
Source 2: Topical application and oral supplementation of peptides in the improvement of skin viscoelasticity and density https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30834689/
Source 3: Clinical Impact Upon Wound Healing and Inflammation in Moist, Wet, and Dry Environments https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3842869/
Source 4: Collagen Hydrolysates for Skin Protection: Oral Administration and Topical Formulation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070905/
Source 5: Understanding oxidants and antioxidants: Classical team with new players https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960481/
Source 6: Immediate and Long-term Clinical Benefits of a Topical Treatment for Facial Lines and Wrinkles https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923951/
