Collagen protein has become one of the most popular supplements for skin, joint, and gut health, especially among middle-aged adults who know that their bodies make less collagen naturally.

Does collagen really help the skin? Based on clinical studies of certain collagen ingredients, yes! As a type of structural protein, it provides amino acids that help form and supports the health of connective tissues including the skin.

Collagen benefits for the skin include helping to support the elasticity of younger-looking skin and fighting signs of normal aging such as fine lines and crow's feet.

Read below to find out more about the best types of collagen for the skin (yes, there is more than one type of collagen), plus how to supplement with collagen protein to start seeing results quickly.

Our Skin Has Less Collagen With Age

Another name for collagen is "complex protein", which contains 19 different amino acids, including a mixture of non-essential (conditional) and essential types.

Supplementing with collagen is a great way to get more conditional amino acids – such as arginine, glutamine, glycine, and proline – which can be difficult to obtain in high amounts from other protein sources.

Our body's collagen production begins to slow down with age, usually around the late 30s to 40s (and sometimes before).

We can thank this normal process for the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines due to the skin's loss of elasticity.

To help increase your body's own collagen synthesis, supplementing with collagen powder can help increase your intake of crucial amino acids that support skin health.

How Does Collagen Help the Skin?

What does collagen do for your skin? Collagen is a kind of structural protein made from related amino acids, that is, small molecules that together form proteins.

The main role that collagen plays in the body includes forming and promoting healthy connective tissue, particularly in the skin, joints, tendons, ligaments, and lining of the intestine, as well as other places.

In terms of benefits, collagen is good for skin health, collagen mainly helps keep the skin firm, supple, smooth, strong, and evenly textured.

In other words, a normal amount of collagen in the body can help reduce the appearance of sagging, sagging, dimpled, and wrinkled skin.

Many people who supplement with collagen consistently for a few months realize that their skin generally looks firmer, plump, hydrated, and healthier, instead of looking dry or "wrinkled skin".

Benefits for the Skin

Here is more about how collagen is beneficial for the skin (as well as the hair):

1. Supports healthy skin elasticity

Skin elasticity refers to your skin's ability to stretch and bounce back to its normal texture.

As we age, usually entering our 30s and above, our skin can become less elastic due to the normal aging process and because our body naturally produces less collagen.

You can help support healthy skin elasticity by consuming collagen and protecting your skin in other ways, such as avoiding too much sun exposure, smoking, and an unhealthy diet.

2. Can help improve the appearance of crow's feet

Certain collagen supplements, such as Ancient Nutrition's Multi Collagen Protein, can help improve the appearance of crow's feet after four weeks of use, and skin tone after eight weeks of use.

In just a few short months, you may notice fewer fine lines (like crow's feet), wrinkles, neck rings, and more—especially if you take care of your skin in other ways (such as eating and sleeping well, avoiding too much sun exposure as well as applying certain skin-supporting products).

3. Increase the thickness of healthy hair

If you're looking for support for healthy skin and hair, you'll be happy to know that collagen can aid healthy hair growth, support hair thickness, and help reduce hair damage.

Hair strands are made up of proteins, especially keratin, therefore it is not surprising that collagen protein can contribute to nice-looking head hair.

Best Type of Collagen for Skin?

Collagen supplements, such as collagen protein powder, are an easy way to increase your collagen intake. But which collagen is best for the skin?

Ideally for skin care, it's a good idea to use collagen supplements that contain a mixture of type 1 and type 3 collagen. This is why supplements featuring this type of collagen are often the best collagen for the skin:

• Type 1/ Type I: This is the most common type of collagen found in the human body. It consists of eosinophilic fibers that make up parts of the body, including the skin (dermis). It is essential for the overall health of the skin, providing elastic and elastic skin quality, and for tissue health, making it one of the best collagen for healthy and smooth skin.
• Type 3/Type III: Type 3 collagen is made from reticular fibers and the main components of the extracellular matrix that make up our organs and skin. It is usually found with type 1 and helps give the skin elasticity and firmness.