Ageing has a way of quietly making itself known. One day your skin feels firm and bouncy, and the next it’s a little less elastic, a little drier, and showing a few more fine lines than you remember. While this is completely natural, much of it comes down to one key factor: collagen.

Collagen is the protein that gives your skin its structure, strength, and elasticity. As we age, typically from our 30s and more noticeably into our 40s, our natural collagen production begins to slow down. So, the result is a skin that gradually loses its firmness and hydration.

It’s not just time working against us either. Everyday exposure to things like sun damage, pollution, and smoking can speed up collagen breakdown. These factors create oxidative stress in the body, which weakens collagen and contributes to visible signs of ageing.

Hydrolysed collagen, also known as collagen peptides, has become increasingly popular to support your body’s collagen levels. It’s been broken down into smaller amino acids, making it easier for the body to absorb and use. Once in the system, these building blocks can help stimulate your body’s own collagen production.

There’s also growing research behind it. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 69 women aged 35-55 found that after 8 weeks of collagen hydrolysate supplementation, participants experienced improved skin elasticity, hydration, and smoothness ⁽¹⁾. Another 12-week study involving 72 healthy women aged 35 + reported improvements in skin protein levels and a visible reduction in signs of ageing with daily collagen intake ⁽²⁾.

While collagen is not a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a broader approach to skin health.

Collagen contains amino acids like glycine and proline, which are important for producing keratin - the protein that makes up your hair and nails. This means collagen may also support stronger hair and less brittle nails over time. Some research even suggests it may help reduce oxidative stress around hair follicles, which plays a role in ageing ⁽³⁾.

Of course, no supplement can stop the clock entirely. But supporting your body with the right nutrients can make a noticeable difference in how your skin, hair, and nails look and feel.

At the end of the day, ageing gracefully isn’t about reversing time, it’s about working with your body, not against it. So a simple, foundational things like collagen can be added to your routine to make a difference.

For more information about hydrolysed collagen, drop into Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North Street, Batemans Bay. You can also call us on (02) 4472 9737 or visit us online at www.govitabatemansbay.com.au. Don’t miss our weekly segment on 2EC radio, where Marianne and Go Vita's Nutritionist Sofia chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References

1. Proksch, E., Segger, D., Degwert, J., Schunck, M., Zague, V., & Oesser, S. (2015). Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 37(Suppl 2), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12286
2. Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Gerß, J., & Voss, W. (2019). A collagen supplement improves skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density: Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, blind study. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 9, 1747–1758.

3           3. Hwang SB, Park HJ, Lee BH. Collagen Hydrolysate from the Scales of Mozambique              Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) Improve Hair and Skin Health by Alleviating                    Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Promoting Hair Growth and Extracellular                    Matrix Factors. Mar Drugs. 2023 Aug 29;21(9):475. doi: 10.3390/md21090475. PMID:            37755088; PMCID: PMC10533131.