Forget creams, serums and potions – the path to younger skin is through your gut

Sick of spending well over half an hour in front of the bathroom mirror slathering on skincare product after skincare product, all in the name of turning back time and making your skin look that much younger? What if you didn’t have to? What if the answer to decluttering your overflowing skincare drawers was actually in your stomach?

Studies have shown that ingesting collagen is one of the most effective ways to ensure healthier, younger-looking skin. It might seem like this is counterintuitive – why would something you ingest be better for your skin than a product that goes directly onto your body’s largest organ? – but according to studies, research, and our own lived experiences, it works! Read on to find out exactly what we mean – and how this inside-out method of skincare can work for you.

What causes skin aging?

Our skin starts to age as soon as we’re born, and by the time we reach our 30s and beyond, many will start to see fine lines, sun spots, wrinkles and loose skin. Beginning in our late 20s, our skin cells begin to weaken due to constant toxin exposure, and our skin’s ability to repair itself begins to slow as a result.

“Starting in our mid-20s, we slowly begin to lose collagen,” Dr. Ohara Aivaz tells Cedars Siani, “For women, we can lose up to 30% of our collagen production in the first 5 years of menopause.”

As a result, collagen is easily one of the most important elements of an anti-aging skincare routine. It contains the amino acid hydroxyproline, which is unique to youthful skin, and prolyl-hydroxyproline, a collagen fragment that triggers skin cells to produce hyaluronic acid, which boosts skin’s water content.

What collagen can do for you

A 2014 study found that participants between the ages of 35 and 55 who ingested collagen saw greater overall skin and health results than those who didn’t. While there are certainly some top-of-the-line skincare products out there that contain collagen, it’s safe to say that ingesting collagen and letting it flow from your stomach to your skin is a more effective anti-aging method than patting collagen products onto your face or neck.

There are a couple reasons for this, according to Health.com. First, the body breaks down collagen into its different amino acids when its ingested, which obviously isn’t going to be the case if you’re smearing a collagen-based cream onto your skin. Second, since our bodies already naturally produce and process collagen, our guts know what to do with the amino acids, whereas our skin is more of a silent partner in the process – it will take what we give it, but won’t necessarily give anything back.

It is important to note, however, that every body will react to collagen a bit differently. Collagen creams and collagen supplements both sell equally well at top beauty retailers, in part because it’s uncertain how different bodies will react to the same product. If someone lives with a chronic inflammatory condition, a collagen supplement may not be the best choice; however, if someone has oily skin or takes medication for another skin affliction such as acne, ingesting collagen is a surefire way to ensure their face doesn’t have to take on any more products than it’s already likely being treated with.

Choosing the right product for you

You’ve read the studies, seen the testimonials, and now you want to give a collagen supplement a try? That’s great! But with so many products on the market, how will you choose which one is right for you

First, consider convenience. What is the best way for you to take such a supplement? If you already take a vitamin or prescription every morning, a collagen pill could be your best bet. The concern there is that so many of those pills are formulated with other inclusions, making pure collagen difficult to get into your system. Perhaps a powder dissolvable in water is your best bet – you can pour it into your morning coffee or glass of water and simply forget about it afterward…until you see the results, that is.

Second, read reviews. You want to care for your body the best way you know how, and that includes making the best-informed decision you can about your skin’s health. Check out reviews and press about any product you try to make sure it will deliver on the results you want to see.

Finally, think about the whole picture. Everything we consume impacts our whole body; your collagen supplement is going to impact more than just your fine lines and wrinkles. Products like OMONO provide holistic care to your skin by targeting dark circles, skin tone, and skin hydration in addition to fine lines, wrinkles, and spots.

While we can’t turn back time and revert back to our younger selves, we can take all the steps possible to ensure our skin has a happy and healthy future. The next time you find yourself poking and prodding at your skin, ditch the creams and cleansers and reach for a collagen supplement. Your skin – and your body – will thank you.