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Collagen has become a trendy supplement ingredient, but the easiest way to preserve collagen as you age is even simpler than taking a pill.
The major structural protein in your skin, collagen is what gives skin it's support, lift, firmness and resiliency. Through the natural aging process, we lose some of that collagen in our skin, which contributes to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.
While we can't stop that process completely, there is one easy step we should all incorporate into our skin-care routines to preserve collagen, a dermatologist says.
Expert Tip of the Day: Prevent Collagen Loss as You Age With Sunscreen
Collagen loss is a natural, normal part of aging. But you can slow that loss with some easy lifestyle habits.
And you should start by making sunscreen a regular part of your routine, Dr. Michelle Henry, board-certified dermatologist and TODAY show contributor, tells TODAY.com.
"The sun participates tremendously in breaking down your collagen," she explains. "UV light is like taking scissors to your collagen, it's like taking scissors to those threads."
So, preventing sun damage by wearing an effective sunscreen helps reduce the impact of sun on skin and reduce the loss of collagen.
Why It Matters
You can think of collagen like the frame on your bed, dermatologists told TODAY.com previously. It provides structure and support for your skin.
But, after about age 30, collagen production starts to decline. That contributes to some common signs of aging, like sagging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and an overall crepey appearance. Plus, exposure to UV rays compounds the natural reduction in collagen production.
Protecting the collagen you have will help preserve the skin's more youthful-looking plumpness and tightness even as the inevitable aging process continues.
How to Get Started
To start, get in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily. This is a core part of any healthy skin-care routine.
Look for a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF of broad spectrum protection, Henry says. But that's just the minimum requirement, she explains, and she typically recommends people opt for 50 SPF if they're outside for more than an hour.
Keep in mind that proper sunscreen application is just as important as the SPF number, TODAY.com explained previously. Whether you go with 30 or higher, make sure to use enough for all of your exposed skin and reapply consistently. Other sun safety strategies, like staying in the shade and wearing UPF clothing, can help as well.
Once sunscreen has become a regular habit, you can add in other skin-care ingredients, like peptides, which help your skin make collagen. And antioxidants, such as vitamin C, are helpful as well, Henry says.
"We want to make sure we're using our antioxidants because those free radicals will poke holes in our collagen," she explains, and antioxidants help prevent and repair free radical damage.
A healthy diet with amino acids, antioxidants and minerals is also an essential part of maintaining collagen. "You can't build collagen without a balanced diet," Henry says.
TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
