3 Common Types of Hair Damage—And How to Treat Them
January 17, 2021
When we think of beautiful, youthful, and glowing skin, we always think of the numerous skincare products available in the market. Our topical creams and gels are infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen that give our complexions a plump and healthy appearance. Collagen is especially good for this since it “makes up 75 percent of our skin and is responsible for keeping it young and firm,” according to Dr. Vicki Belo.
But another way you can maintain that youthful glow is by watching what you eat. Here’s where collagen supplements come in. Simply put, you get more of the benefits from collagen by ingesting it compared to topical application. We’ll break it down more for you below.
1. Collagen is too big to be effectively absorbed by the skin.
Collagen is one of the holy grail ingredients of anti-aging skincare products. But according to Dr. Belo in a 2019 interview with Cosmo.ph, this is not enough. “Topical collagen does not have the same effects as the oral supplementation of collagen. Collagen is too large a molecule to penetrate the skin, which means topical collagen doesn’t stimulate collagen production on a cellular level the way collagen supplementation will.”
2. Not all of the collagen we apply and eat is fully absorbed.
In addition to that, collagen needs to be delivered in small enough molecules for it to be truly beneficial to your skin. “Otherwise, we will just excrete them, as what happens when we eat even popular collagen-rich food,” Dr. Belo said in the same interview. This is why hydrolyzed collagen is the ideal form of collagen as this form can easily be absorbed and utilized by the body.
3. Collagen supplements show faster results.
While there’s nothing wrong with the “slow but steady route” of skincare, it’s been proven that the effects of taking collagen supplements can show in as fast as eight weeks. A 2013 study showed that women experienced less dryness and increased elasticity by drinking collagen supplements with 2.5 to 5 grams of collagen daily for two months, compared to those who didn’t.
4. It has more benefits aside from slowing down skin ageing.
Aside from a youthful appearance, collagen supplements also have added benefits for the rest of your body. Since collagen is also present in our muscles and ligaments, some studies suggest that collagen supplements may help alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and joint pain.
5. It offers more variety.
While collagen skincare can only be applied according to its instructions, you can drink your collagen supplements in different ways. Dr. Belo shared in a 2015 interview with Preview.ph that she takes her collagen supplements twice a day to increase their collagen levels. You can try it with your morning smoothie, as it has also been shown to be an effective way of administering collagen to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase skin hydration over time.
If you’re keen on weighing the benefits of collagen supplements yourself, why not try them yourself? The Belo Nutraceuticals Collagen Powder Drink and Belo Nutra Collagen Melon Smoothie have been tried and tested by Dr. Belo, and as you can see, she looks glowing and younger than ever.