Preserving and Boosting Collagen In Your Face

Posted by Jocelynn Hartleib on January 14, 2022

 

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Hi Natural Beauties,

Collagen is derived from the Greek word kólla, which means glue. In simple terms, it supports the formation of strong tissues in our bodies, as well as helping to maintain blood vessel health. It has often been called the “fountain of youth,” Collagen is a hot topic in the beauty and wellness industry. It is the fibrous protein found in bones, muscles, tendons, and skin and is responsible for strengthening connective tissue.

 “Once you turn 25 years old, your body starts to produce less and less collagen.” (humann.com) It’s natural. Lower collagen production increases the likelihood of thinning skin, loss of elasticity, and the formation of wrinkles, as well as reduced suppleness in skin texture.

Collagen can be damaged by many different factors, including environmental factors, aging, lack of sleep, hormones/pregnancy, excessive sugar/alcohol, and smoking.

There are a plenty of well researched tips and tricks to preserve + boost the collagen in your face…

 

 

Facial Massage

 

Skincare + Holistic experts worldwide agree that daily facial massage is an effective method of increasing collagen production. This simulates blood flow and keeps you looking youthful. There are many facial tools available if you are looking to achieve this effect. If you are interested in taking your skin routine to the next level, we suggest a facial wand or stone like a Gua Sha or a quartz roller.

Beauty Tip 01: Leave your beauty massaging tool in the fridge to depuff and stimulate the skin.

Beauty Tip 02: Always work with a lubricant when massaging using a beauty tool. We recommend using a vitamin-packed face oil which also doubles to infuse the skin with healthy nutrients.

Huna Nourish Calendula Healing Oil makes for a great facial massage oil for professional Esthetics, Spa or at-home facial massage and treatments. Containing double-infused Calendula + Supercritical Calendula CO2 Extract, it is our most potent and pure organic Calendula flower oil ever developed, ideal for promoting rapid-fast & healthy healing of most skin wounds and concerns.  Calendula officinalis has been scientifically demonstrated to promote rapid healing of compromised and wounded skin, promoting healthy skin formation through fast healing, improving hydration & firmness levels in skin, and possessing potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.  Simply apply one to two pumps of Calendula Healing Oil to freshly cleansed skin and proceed with your facial massage of choice!

 

Click to Shop Nourish Calendula Healing Oil

 

Collagen Producing Foods

 

To build collagen, our body makes procollagen, a precursor from which all collagen starts.  It combines the amino acids glycine and proline, along with vitamin C.  By ensuring we consume foods rich in these nutrients, we might help build or preserve collagen naturally in the body and skin.  (Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. 2021)

Include the following foods in your Diet:

Plant-Based Proline Rich Foods: bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and citrus fruit, mushrooms, asparagus.

Plant-Based Glycine Rich Foods: beans, nuts, and seeds like pumpkin and sesame.

Vitamin C: Citrus, bell peppers, berries.

 

 

 

Add Retinoic Acid and Protect Collagen with Topical Vitamin C

 

Retinoids or retinol are vitamin A derivatives that speed up the cell regeneration process; improving skin texture, elasticity and up-regulates genes involved in collagen production.  Some people find Retinols to be very irritating when applied to skin, so we favour plant-based retinol alternatives at Huna.  Plant-derived trans-retinoic acid, which naturally occurs in Rosehip Oil, is a safe and gentle alternative to harsh medical-grade Retinol options.

Huna’s premium organic rosehip oil contains trans-retinoic acid which is a gentle natural form of vitamin A.  Those looking for a safe alternative to retinol have turned to Huna Revitalize Age-Grace Serum for its rich trans-retinoic content which may improve overall skin appearance and texture by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, while gently fading the appearance of dark spots or marks left behind by pesky old acne breakouts.

 

 

Click To Shop Revitalize Age-Grace Face Serum

 

Another skincare tip to protect collagen is to slather on a Vitamin C serum in the morning. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the collagen in your skin against UV damage.  Evidence suggests, “it triggers collagen formation and stabilizes the collagen proteins in skin.” Dr. Garshick (2018)

For a Vitamin C serum that delivers real results, definitely give Huna Revitalize Rosehip Brightening Glow Oil a try!

We’ve added a highly stable, oil-soluble Vitamin C Ester that is scientifically proven to have excellent skin penetration and as a result offers increased skin cell protection against UV-B rays.  Skin cell viability is reportedly increased by up to 30% with when compared to the standard L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C skincare active.

 

 

Click To Shop Revitalize Rosehip Brightening Glow Oil

 

 

Slather On the Sunscreen

… and apply more throughout the day!

 

Wear a Hat + Glasses to Block the Sun’s Rays

A wide-brimmed hat will shield your face, scalp, and neck from damaging rays from the sun. Choose a hat that has at least a 3-inch brim made with a tightly woven material. To discourage crow’s feet from forming, wear sunglasses. Chic large or wraparound sunglass styles prevent UV rays from sneaking in around the sides.

 

 

Heather Urquhart,
Founder + CEO of Huna Skin, wearing her wide-brimmed sunhat in the Huna Gardens (always!).

 

Manage Stress Levels

Stress reduces the body’s ability to repair itself, inevitably resulting in skin aging. (Ying Chen and John Lyga 2014.) Try taking a few deep breaths throughout the day, this could be while holding a cup of herbal tea or coffee, during mediation, while doing yoga, or even while watching TV…do whatever feels good and right to you.

 

 

 

 

When you change your lifestyle, eat a well-balanced healthy diet, and use high-performance targeted skincare, not only will your skin’s health improve, but you will also be able to boost and preserve your collagen production!