NATURAL BEAUTY
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pure ingredients for skin & body
Collagen-Infused Beauty
Ponce de Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth might have gone a lot smoother if he’d known about this important protein. BY SHERRIE STRAUSFOGEL
Collagen is the most important structural protein in your skin, the “glue” that holds your skin together. In fact, the word collagen comes from the Greek word “kola,” which means “glue.” Collagen is the most abundant protein throughout the body, and it’s critical to the structure of bones, tendons, and muscles, as well as skin. It’s also found in the cornea of the eyes, blood vessels, gut lining, teeth, and nails. Unfortunately, our bodies’ natural collagen production starts to decline at about age 25, and decreases even more in women after menopause. Collagen also decreases with smoking, sugar consumption, and exposure to ultraviolet rays. This decrease leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity. Which is precisely why you want to incorporate collagen peptides into your skincare regimen. Peptides, also called polypeptides, are amino acids that make up proteins needed by the skin. They’re also included in many skin care products because the collagen molecule itself is too large to be absorbed by the skin, so applying it topically cannot improve the skin’s collagen production. Collagen peptides, however, can penetrate the outer layer of the skin, where they signal the cells to produce more collagen and help repair damaged skin. Using a serum or moisturizer that contains collagen peptides can lead to fewer wrinkles, youngerlooking skin, and reduced dryness, while collagen itself is known for having great moisturizing benefits when applied topically. It forms a protective seal Pinch the skin on the back of your hand over the skin to for a few seconds. Does that skin remain improve hydratented until it slowly melts back flat? Or tion, which makes does it snap back right away? This little test it a valuable gives you a sense of your skin’s elasticity. ingredient and a The faster the snap back—in the medical step closer to the field they call it “turgor”—the more likely fountain of youth. you are to have good skin elasticity.
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Photo: Getty Images
Test Your Skin’s Elasticity
• JANUARY 2022
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11/22/21 11:05 AM
