Collagen is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, but how many people really need it? Veera Nurmela, who works in cosmetics, says.
Estenom Veera Nurmela has been working in cosmetics for years. Currently, she works at Beautyko, an online store specializing in Korean cosmetics.
Nurmela has always been particularly interested in the raw materials used in cosmetics and their properties. One of these raw materials is collagen.
– The most visible and important function of collagen on the skin is aesthetic, Nurmela begins.
Collagen is one of the most important building blocks of the skin, meaning it gives the skin fullness and elasticity. So we could do without it, but with it the elasticity of the skin would disappear.
Collagen smooths lines and is a wonderful moisturizer, which is one of the most important conditions for healthy skin.
The amount of collagen decreases all the time and the pace always accelerates with age. Nurmela says that the collagen contained in various cosmetic products does not increase the amount of collagen already lost.
– The effect of the collagen obtained from the products is momentary. It comes off the skin when you wash your face, Nurmela sums up.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein. It is one of the most important building blocks for, among other things, healthy skin, hair and nails.
Collagen helps support the skin’s structure and elasticity, keeping the skin smooth and elastic.
Smoking, the sun’s UV rays and sugar destroy collagen.
A varied diet supports the body’s own collagen production, and using sunscreen during the day protects the skin from aging effects.
Vitamin C also increases the body’s own collagen formation, so vitamin C should be taken internally, but also externally.
Collagen products are useful in skin care in many ways.
Collagen products form a film on the skin that prevents moisture from evaporating on the skin. Collagen also gives the skin a glassy glow.
Take the smile test
One good way to determine if there is a need for additional collagen is the smile test. The test is easy to implement.
Watch yourself in the game and smile. Are your cheekbones plump and round? Or do they show sagging compared to before?
You can also gently press or pinch the facial skin with your fingertips. Pay attention to how the skin recovers and how the skin feels. It is also worth observing, Does the skin feel elastic and soft.
There may be an additional need for collagen if horizontal lines start to appear on the forehead or if crow’s feet form on the skin around the eyes.
Marionette lines or hamster bags that appear in the chin area are a sign that collagen may be lacking.
Look at the side of the jar
Scanning the store shelves, it seems that almost every product has collagen and other great-sounding ingredients. How can you conclude that the product really has enough collagen?
– This is a difficult question, because the product can contain many different active ingredients in addition to collagen, Nurmela begins.
He gives a good rule of thumb.
It is worth checking the INCI list, i.e. the ingredient list, on the cosmetic jar. The higher the raw material is on the list, the more of it can be found in that product. So, if collagen reads at the top of the list, there is probably enough of it.
Often the products also contain preservatives. The number of these is usually very small. If collagen or other raw materials are marked only after the preservatives, the product contains little of that raw material.
Alternatives to collagen
Collagen is not the only raw material that is useful against the signs of aging.
In addition to or instead of collagen, products containing hyaluronic acid, peptides or vitamin a, such as retinol, can be used.
The skin naturally contains hyaluronic acid. With time, however, its amount decreases. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture, making the skin smooth and plump. That’s why it’s a great substitute or helper for collagen.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for various proteins in the skin, such as collagen, ceramides and elastin. These are responsible for the texture, strength and durability of the skin. Peptides therefore play an important role in maintaining the elasticity and brightness of the skin.
Effective retinol can also replace collagen, but this is still not very smart. Retinol is effective, but it can be too harsh for the skin. It also sensitizes the skin to the sun’s radiation, so Nurmela recommends not using it at least during the day.
Try these products:
Tyyli.com’s beauty editors have tested and approved the following products.
Mádara’s collagen-supporting serum promises to improve the skin’s moisture balance and prevent moisture evaporation. Booster also seems to do exactly this. The product creates a moisturizing film on the face and the skin feels moisturized after use. The product is recommended to be used initially as a 10-day course and then 2-3 times a week to maintain the effects. 27.90 e, Stockmann.
The new version of Ole Henriksen’s cult-famous luxury eye cream Truth Banana Bright+ is effective for the moisture-poor and sensitive eye area. A tested, effective, vegan product helps to fade dark circles under the eyes and works as a good make-up primer. The fragrance-free novelty cream contains, in addition to the familiar ingredients i.e. brightening vitamin C and banana powder, plant-based collagen and real gold. 54 e, Kicks.
The Le Lift Pro Concentrate serum is a really effective anti-aging product. It contains ingredients from the honey of melipona bees and hyaluronic acid. The product tightens the skin immediately, and when used for a longer period of time, the skin feels firmer and the lines are smoothed. Luxurious and efficient. 163 e, Chanel.
V10 Plus Collagen Serum promises to increase the skin’s elasticity and smooth already formed lines. This collagen serum seems to work. The serum initially creates a film-like protection on the face, which disappears once the product has been absorbed into the skin. 39.90 e, The university’s online pharmacy.
With Tonymoly’s anti-age face mask, you get bright and moisturized skin in a few minutes. The rich, golden mask contains 24 carat gold and honey extract as well as hydrolyzed collagen. The cool packaging of the Korean cosmetics brand also stands out from the bathroom mirror at Takuu. 22.95 e, Eleven.
The vegan Skin Treat Dryness Repair face cream does what the name says. This face cream moisturizes the skin, and the effects are felt right from the first use. The product is suitable as a day and night cream, but in busy mornings this should not be applied to the face, because make-up should not be put on top of it. 19.90 e, Kicks.
The vegan Ziaja Lifting day cream is intended for the skin of people over 40 years old. The cream contains microcollagen. The affordable product promises to smooth, lift and firm the skin. Plus the cream’s sun protection factor. 11.95 e, Apomera.
This night cream promises to activate skin regeneration at night, helping to stimulate collagen synthesis. It’s hard to say if this really happens, but at least the skin feels and looks wonderful after use. Mádara’s night cream contains, among other things, peptides, microalgae and hyaluronic acid. 41.60 e, Olo Apteekki.
SVR Collagen-Biotic’s firming cream contains probiotics, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and plant-based collagen. These active ingredients promise to make the skin supple, firm and plump. The texture of the cream is wonderful and leaves you feeling really moisturized. The skin glows clearly more beautifully with use. 47.90 e, Stockmann.
Etude’s collagen-containing face water effectively moisturizes the skin. I applied the product to my face directly with my hands so that not a single drop was wasted. The face water immediately creates a moisturized feeling on the face. The face water containing hydrolyzed collagen and white lupine promises to deeply moisturize the skin, making it elastic and perfectly moisturized. 25.90 e, Bearel.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 night serum cream is effective and produces visible changes to the skin. In addition to medium-strength retinaldehyde (0.03%), the water-based serum cream contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. However, you should be careful with this serum and read the instructions for use carefully, because it should not be used daily right from the start. 65 e, University’s pharmacy.
Individually packaged nutritional supplements intended to support the skin’s own collagen formation. In addition to collagen, Skingain’s new product contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and Pycnogenol pine bark extract. package of 30 bags 49.90 e, Grass root.
Product images: manufacturers.