Photo: Life Matters

How do I activate collagen in my face?

Slather on a vitamin C serum in the morning. The vitamin is an antioxidant that protects the collagen in your skin against UV damage, says Chwalek. More than that, she says, it triggers collagen formation and stabilizes the collagen proteins in skin.

everydayhealth.com - 20 Ways to Preserve — and Boost — Collagen in Your Face

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6. Then Reapply Sunscreen Throughout the Day

Sunscreen lasts for two hours, says Garshick. “While making sunscreen a part of your daily routine is essential, it’s also important to reapply throughout the day, especially on days with extended sun exposure,” she says. Check the label on your product; reapplication recommendations vary, though the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends doing so every two hours.

RELATED: What’s the Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreen?

7. And Don’t Forget Below Your Chin

In your collagen-preserving sunscreen routine, don’t forget your neck, chest, and the back of your hands, says Garshick: “These areas can see the effects of cumulative sun damage, as the skin in these areas is thinner and therefore more likely to show the effects of aging,” she says.

8. Consider Taking Collagen Supplements

There are various collagen supplements available, including powders that you can mix into coffee and smoothies. While more studies are needed, says Garshick, she points to a January 2019 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology that notes that preliminary research shows that these supplements help increase skin elasticity, hydration, and the density of collagen within skin. Eat a balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of protein. “High-protein foods contain amino acids that are critical for collagen synthesis,” says Garshick. Lean protein sources include fish, seafood, skinless chicken breast, and lean cuts of beef and pork. A diet rich in sugar promotes the formation of advanced glycation end products (aptly called AGEs) that break down collagen, says Chwalek. Limit sugar consumption by reading the back of food labels and looking at either the “added sugar” line in the nutrition label or reading the ingredient list.

11. Load Up on Produce

There are many benefits to filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, including preventing heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as Harvard University calls out. Add skin health to that list: “Eating a diet rich in antioxidants [via fruits and vegetables], can help to ward off free radical damage that degrades collagen,” says Chwalek.

12. Wear a Hat to Block the Sun’s Rays

A wide-brimmed hat will shield your face, scalp, and neck from damaging rays from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Choose a hat that has at least a 3-inch brim made with a tightly woven material.

RELATED: 10 Sun-Care Products That Dermatologists Use

13. Sport Shades to Protect Around Your Eyes

To discourage crow’s feet from forming, wear sunglasses. Wraparound shades stop UV rays from sneaking in around the sides. The good news is that even cheap sunglasses will protect against both UVA and UVB rays, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

14. Don’t Smoke — And Stop if You Do

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Smoking cigarettes ages your skin in a variety of ways. “Smoking decreases blood flow and oxygen to the skin. It also creates toxic free radicals that damage collagen and elastin fibers, and sop up antioxidants in the skin,” says Chwalek. Ultimately, this speeds up wrinkle formation, and past research shows the habit ages your skin faster.

15. Consider a Chemical Peel

There are many options for in-office anti-aging procedures, including a chemical peel. These use hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) to boost skin cell turnover, which in turn stimulates collagen production, says Garshick. Patients “see immediate benefits from chemical peels, as they can help with tone, texture, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she says.

RELATED: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Acids in Your Skin-Care Routine

16. Ask Your Dermatologist About Other In-Office Treatments

Ask your dermatologist if you are a good candidate for a resurfacing laser, radiofrequency treatment, microneedling, IPL (intense pulsed light), Juvederm/Restylane, or Radiesse. “These treatments work by stimulating collagen production and can help treat the visible signs of aging. Patients notice their skin looks more even and smoother over time,” says Chwalek.

17. Focus on De-Stressing Strategies

Stress causes inflammation and weakens the body’s ability to repair itself, speeding up skin aging, prior research shows. Maintain a list of de-stressing strategies to have at the ready for when life gets overwhelming.

18. Keep Moving

Physical activity keeps your body, mind, and skin young. “Exercise is another important factor in slowing the aging process,” says Chwalek. What’s more, staying active is a bona fide way to bust stress, the Mayo Clinic notes.

RELATED: How Exercise Can Give You Better Skin

19. Cut Back on Booze

Alcohol impairs skin’s ability to produce collagen, as well as its natural antioxidant defense system (making it more vulnerable to damage), according to findings published in an August 2019 survey in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. People who drink eight or more drinks per week are more likely to have lines and wrinkles.

20. Get Your Beauty Rest

While more research in humans is needed, maintaining a regular sleep schedule may help with collagen renewal, research on mice in Nature Cell Biology in January 2020 suggests. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults log 7 to 9 hours of (literal) beauty sleep per night.

everydayhealth.com - 20 Ways to Preserve — and Boost — Collagen in Your Face

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