That said, collagen decline is a natural part of life. It will happen to all of us, and there’s no use in denying that fact. In fact, at some point in your late 20s, your collagen will start to decline at a rate of about 1% every year for every year thereafter1. This is why most folks start noticing signs of premature aging in their 30s—and why many people usually start focusing on preventive aging around this time. Want a place to start? Here are three things you can implement starting now that will help you for years to come. Some of the best advice I got about this is from celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar on her episode of Clean Beauty School, who said: “[It’s important to build] relationships with their ‘skin people.’ I think it’s really important for people to find therapists who can take care of you as an individual.” A few of the best to look into for collagen production are LED facials, microcurrent facials, PRP facials, and chemical peels (notably those with glycolic acid). But these all come with stipulations and nuances on who they are best suited for, so consult with your skin care professional about what’s your best bet. And “regular” is a loose term. I personally do one a quarter, but I know people who are dedicated to once a month (once a week even!). And if all you can do is once or twice a year, then that’s great too. On the sleep and stress part, both can trigger an influx of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol wreaks havoc on the body and directly damages collagen in the skin. So you need to prioritize getting enough hours of rest and finding stress management practices that work for you. We know that’s easier said than done, but if you’re open to new techniques to try, here are our favorite habits for better sleep hygiene and reducing anxiety. As for nutrition, be sure to eat a robust diet full of amino acids and antioxidants. (Read about our favorite collagen-supporting foods here.) And to expedite things, you may consider a collagen supplement, which can help your body create more collagen naturally. Research shows that collagen supplements improve skin hydration and density and reduce fine lines2. Try to find a collagen powder that contains added ingredients (such as antioxidants, like vitamins C and E) for extra support. Check out our all-time favorite collagen supplements here. From there, you’ll want to use topical ingredients that are shown to promote collagen production such as vitamin C, retinol, peptides, and AHAs. Vitamin C is vital for the collagen synthesis process—plus as an antioxidant it can protect your collagen layer from free radicals. Retinol works with your skin’s retinoid receptors to upregulate collagen production over time. And glycolic acid has been shown to spur collagen4 by engaging your skin’s wound response. There’s less research on peptides, but a growing body of evidence shows that some select options can encourage collagen production5 in the skin too. But here’s the catch: Only use these if you can tolerate them. If you use them at concentrations that overwhelm your skin, they’ll end up causing more damage to your collagen layer rather than helping. Vitamin C, for example, is a sensitizing ingredient for many skin types—especially when using potent versions at potent doses: If you find that a 20% vitamin C makes your skin flush or irritated, you’re better off finding a lower percentage or a more mild version. Retinol, too, is notoriously hard for folks to handle: Stick to encapsulated versions, or only use it a few times a week, max.
