Why You Should Care About Collagen

You've probably heard about [tag-ice]collagen[/tag-ice], the skin's structural "scaffold" which is responsible for giving skin it's elasticity, strength, and that even smoothness that we all have as children and young adults (but we start to lose as we age.)

Collagen production tends to slow down as we get older, and this leads to sagging and wrinkles. [tag-tec]Collagen[/tag-tec] is not just for beauty- it supports our tissues and organs, and connects them to our skeleton. So these are a few more reasons why we all should be worried about losing collagen.

Collagen is produced by a certain type of skin cell, a fibroblast. Fibroblasts are doubly important to healthy skin, as they also produce elastin, which allows our skin to flex and return to normal shape.

Three of the biggest culprits for collagen breakdown are the presence of UV rays, free radicals, and lack of proper moisture/hydration. [tag-ice]Antioxidants[/tag-ice], like Vitamin C and E play an important role in slowing (or sometimes even reversing) the process of collagen breakdown.

As we all age, it's important that we take good care of our health and our skin. Invest in [tag-tec]antioxidants[/tag-tec], drink enough water, and use appropriate sun protection when spending time in the sun.

Remember, overexposure to the sun can happen indoors or out, so it's wise to practice sun-safety throughout the day.

Follow these simple steps, and your collagen will be happy and healthy, making you look more beautiful.