We’re going to add another box to check: A thoughtfully made collagen supplement should contain vitamin C, a classic antioxidant that is a vital part of the collagen production process. Here’s the vitamin C catch: Your body cannot effectively produce collagen without the antioxidant3.* Vitamin C is actually able to promote fibroblast production4, tend to damaged collagen DNA, and regulate collagen synthesis5, or the pathway in which collagen is made.* “Vitamin C is a key cofactor in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, [which helps] give your skin that plump and youthful appearance,” says Keira Barr, M.D., dual board-certified dermatologist.* But it goes a step further, too, as vitamin C can also take on a protective role. (As if it hasn’t done enough already!) Vitamin C stabilizes the collagen you already have thanks to its antioxidant properties, which can help neutralize free radical damage, a main source of collagen degradation and DNA damage.* But your body cannot make vitamin C on its own; it must be ingested. To make this easier for you, mindbodygreen’s grass-fed collagen+ already combines the ingredients into one hardworking powder. The supplement also contains other ingredients like the aforementioned hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and a host of other skin-supporting actives.
