COLLAGEN: THE GRAVITY-DEFYING SUPER HERO

We have all heard that collagen is good for our skin. Here is why:

• It is the substance that holds the whole body together -not only your face and neck. The word is derived from the Greek “kolla” which means “glue”.
• It gives your body strength and structure
• It is mostly found in the bones, connective tissues and skin
• Contributes to the replacement of dead skin cells

We also know that collagen production in the body declines with age. What we maybe did not know is that the glue that defies gravity and keeps everything in its place starts declining in our 20s, decreases significantly in our 40s and takes a dip after menopause.  This decline is worsened by smoking, dehydration, eating nutritionally-devoid processed and refined foods, ultraviolet rays, environmental pollution and sugar. What does sugar do to collagen? Sugar -aka Public Enemy Number One- increases the rate of glycation, a process whereby sugar in the blood attaches to proteins -including collagen, weakening and drying it.  One more reason to wean ourselves from our addiction to sugar and filling our plates with fruits and vegetables full of vitamin C, collagen´s best friend!

The good news: collagen boosting foods

Yes, there is good news: we can boost our collagen production and slow down its depletion process by eating foods that support collagen formation, such as:

• Copper: Nuts, shellfish, red meat
• Proline: Cheese, egg whites, soy, cabbage
• Anthocyanidins: all kinds of berries and cherries
• Vitamin C: citrus fruits, peppers, potatoes
• Water. Keeping hydrated plumps all our cells, giving our skin a firmer, smoother look

Skin care to enhance collagen production

We can also help increase collagen production by applying skin care products with antioxidants, minerals and oils for a smoother, plumper look. In Essentique we know how important collagen is for maintaining firm, supple skin. This is why we include collagen boosters in many of our products:

Vipaka Face Pack. Begin your beauty routine by removing impurities and soothing your skin. Our facial mask contains amalaki fruit, with is high in vitamin C;

Bloom Facial Toner. Follow by toning your face and neck with Bloom, which contains vegetable collagen, a plant-derived alternative to soluble collagen with wrinkle-fighting abilities;

Line-Break Moisturizing Facial Cream. Hydrate and moisturize your skin with this decadent cream that improves skin´s elasticity, suppleness and tone. Line-Break contains camu camu fruit extract -which has 30 times more vitamin C than oranges!-; hyaluronic acid, which serves as a water reservoir for our skin cells, filling out age lines; prickly pear seed oil, which is high in antioxidants, vitamin E and Omega 6; and capuacu butter, which smooths lines and wrinkles.

Elevate Firming Facial Cream with Acmella Oleracea -the natural alternative to Botox. Reduces muscle tension and the wrinkles it causes; MSM, which normalizes collagen production; hyaluronic acid, DMAE, which lifts and contours your skin and neck. We recommend alternating between Line-Break and Elevate for skin that looks smoother, plumper, tighter and more firm.

Coenzyme Q10 with Vitamin E & C. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance produced in our bodies that helps to protect collagen and elastin by neutralizing skin-damaging free radicals. A tiny drop in your favorite moisturizer once a day is all you need to receive all the benefits of this marvelous skin supplement.

Get ready for beautiful summer skin eating foods high in vitamin C, antioxidants, nuts, shellfish, drinking plenty of water and applying collagen-enhancing skin products from Essentique!