Anyone who cares about skin care (or spends a lot of time scrolling through TikTok) knows that collagen is important for maintaining a youthful skin appearance. You also probably know that collagen production slows down as you age, which means finding skin care that increases collagen is a top priority.
But does topical collagen actually promote plumper, firmer skin? Check it out with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenna Cuellar.
What does collagen do?
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body It plays a role in keeping the skin firm and radiant. ”They look youthful and resilient,” says Dr. Cuellar.
Collagen production in the body naturally decreases as we age, so people are looking for ways to replenish this important anti-aging protein. There are many products that claim to stimulate collagen production, including topical collagen serums, creams, and oils.
However, Dr. Cuellar advises that the solution is not topical collagen.
How can I stimulate collagen production in my skin?
Although many skin care products promote collagen as a star ingredient, “topical collagen itself is not effective at rebuilding collagen,” says Dr. Cuellar. “Due to its large molecular size, it cannot penetrate into the dermis, where collagen is actually produced.”
That means the collagen cream or mask you are using is not effective in reversing or treating the signs of aging. “At best, it can act as a surface-level moisturizer and temporarily smooth the skin, but it doesn’t stimulate new collagen,” explains Dr. Cuellar.
