3 health benefits of collagen you haven’t heard before

An essential part of skin health, collagen does much more than it’s known for.

Collagen is the skin’s main structural protein and it is best known for reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

This is why it is commonly known as an anti-ageing skincare ingredient, promoting skin elasticity and firmness.

But there is much more to it. Collagen is important to our skin’s health and it has been proven to reduce damage and restore the complexion.

Here are three health benefits of collagen that prove it’s an essential ingredient in every woman’s skincare routine.

1. It boosts the skin’s hydration levels.

One of the ways skin stays resilient is by staying hydrated. This allows for elasticity, regulated oil production and protection against toxins. Alongside drinking enough water, collagen peptides help the skin retain this moisture.

A recent study on the correlation of collagen and hydration found that, after 12 weeks of taking collagen peptides, people saw a 28% increase in skin hydration. Plus, skin elasticity improved and wrinkle depth and skin roughness reduced.

2. It helps reduce the effects of sun damage.

According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light breaks down your skin’s connective tissue – collagen and elastin fibers in the deeper layer of skin (dermis). This sun damage and the breakdown of collagen can lead to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (uneven skin tone) and inflammation.

When we infuse the skin with a collagen peptide cream, this can help restore that lost collagen, even skin tone and revitalise sun damaged-skin. Also, don’t forget to wear an SPF daily!

3. It reduces the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks.

Acne scarring happens when there is skin damage during the healing of active acne. Up to 90% of acne scars are caused by a loss of collagen during this process, says Dermatology Research and Practice, and it is a similar occurrence with stretch mark scars.

Topical creams with collagen peptides, like Olay Collagen Peptide24 day cream, have smaller molecules that can penetrate more deeply into the skin’s layers than your average collagen product and work to heal damaged skin, reducing the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks.

Collagen is an important part of skin health, aiding in wound healing, skin hydration, sun damage repair and reducing premature ageing. The key to finding an effective collagen product to add to your routine is ensuring that it has these penetrating collagen peptides.

The Olay Collagen Peptide24 range – a day cream, eye cream and face serum – is made with these peptides and vitamin B3, intensely hydrating the skin for 24 hours. These ingredients work to smooth skin texture, restore the skin’s protective barrier, and even skin tone, so you can have a healthy, glowing complexion. The range is also fragrance-free, so it’s suitable for those with sensitive skin – a great starter product for those looking to add collagen to their regime.

Olay is a worldwide leader in skincare and has been trusted by women for over 60 years. The brand continues to hold to the philosophy it was founded on: to maintain a deep understanding of women’s changing needs and to combine products that fit their needs with the latest advances in skincare technology. The end result is superior product performance, bringing healthy, beautiful skin to more than 80 million women on five continents. For more information, visit Olay online.