Black Skin, Collagen and Supplements
Collagen is a big buzzword in the skincare world, with countless skincare products and supplements claiming to increase and maintain our natural collagen levels, but how do we know whether all these claims are true and do the products really make a beneficial difference to our skin and overall health?
The question on everyone’s lips is - are they worth the investment? Let’s deep dive together.
Firstly, what is collagen and why is it even important?
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found throughout the body - in the skin, hair, nails, bones and connective tissues such as the ligaments and tendons. It’s akin to scaffolding, helps us to maintain our structure, elasticity and strength throughout the body. But like all good things, it does come to an end or at least it starts to deteriorate.
The natural breakdown of collagen usually starts from our mid-twenties, just as the body’s production of collagen starts to slow down. On the surface of the skin, we see this breakdown as fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and loss of skin tone – resulting in a rough, dull skin texture. It is also normal for pores to appear even more prominent as their supporting scaffolding breaks.
Supplements increase the levels of collagen in the body by breaking ingested collagen into into smaller chains capable of being absorbed via the blood stream and rebuilt into collagen which can be used throughout your body to firm and plump your skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For women in the perimenopause and menopause stage, collagen supplements can be helpful for tackling some of the symptoms like from aching joints, dry skin and flaking nails.
Collagen in Black skin
Black Skin naturally has a stronger collagen supply, and the bundles of collagen found in the skin are thicker and more tightly packed, meaning they take longer to break down. Collagen is always under attack from UV rays and to some extent the melanin in Black skin helps to shield collagen from sun damage. In contrast, lighter skin tones don’t have this inbuilt defence.
But sure as night follows day, collagen does starts to break down for everyone eventually and Black eventually cracks.
Do collagen supplements really improve your skin?
There is still an ongoing debate around how effective Collagen supplements may be, and whether they are able to improve the quality and tone of our skin as much as some brands may claim. However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that Collagen supplements are effective and can help to improve the health and appearance of the skin.
The issue is that there aren’t any large scale independent scientific studies investigating the effects of collagen on the skin. Most of the research is undertaken by collagen brands themselves and we always have to be more cautious when people mark their own homework. What is key is that many brands come up with same or similar results that show collagen does have beneficial effects on the skin. This is very positive and encouraging for anyone investing in collagen supplementation. Dija Ayodele, Skin Health Specialist
The efficacy of collagen supplements is based on the molecules they are made from and whether they are able to travel through your digestive system. Collagen is a very large molecule, and it is hard for your body to absorb it in its whole state. The most effective collagen supplements are made from collagen peptides, also known as Hydrolysed Collagen, which is the broken-down elements of the whole molecule, allowing it to pass through the body and be absorbed more easily.
Collagen will most often come from Bovine (cows) or Marine (fish skin or scales) sources and they have different effects on the body. Bovine sources usually contain more of collagen type II which is beneficial for reducing inflammation and managing pain in the joints. Marine sources contain more collagen type I which is beneficial for the skin, hair, and nails. Most collagen supplements intended for skin will be marine based.
Collagen supplements can last in your body for around two weeks and to get a compounding benefit where the supplements are able to have an effect, it is important to take collagen supplements consistently for at least three months.
Whilst collagen is generally important for your skin, hair, nails, bones, joints and muscles, remember it isn’t possible to control exactly where any benefits will appear. If there is a specific concerning area, it’s also a good idea to target that concern directly using skincare products, treatments and lifestyle adjustments.
Choosing the right collagen supplements
With so many collagen supplement options available, how do you know the right one for you? Which form is the best – drinks, powders or tablets? Which actually is most beneficial for your skin? Which one will fit your lifestyle?
Tablets
Tablets are convenient, portable and easy to for travel. It’s easy to have a bottle of collagen supplement tablets by your kettle or on your desk, you just have to make sure you take them!
Collagen supplement tablets, tend to have a lower dose of collagen. However, as some people find high dose of collagen can give them digestive issues, starting low can be a sensible idea.
Powders
Powdered collagen usually comes in sachets or jars. The sachets are easy to carry around in your bag, jars are best left at home or in the office. You can mix the powder with anything – water, juice, smoothies, even your morning coffee, which makes them very versatile.
They tend to have a higher dosage of collagen, and often contain other beneficial ingredients such as Vitamin C which can improve the absorbency of the collagen.
Drinks
Collagen drinks usually come in small sachets, and can either be taken as they are, or similar to the powders, mixed in with something else. They are either liquid or gel in texture, and are often flavoured.
They are also able to hold a high dose of collagen, but as they are in a liquid form, it is important to remember that other ingredients such as Vitamin C may break down more quickly, usually giving them a shorter shelf life than the other options.
Many collagen supplements will include other ingredients such as antioxidants and Vitamin C, which is a precursor for collagen and will improve how much collagen your body is able to absorb but will also encourage your body to create more collagen naturally. Hyaluronic Acid is another substance found naturally in your body, often alongside collagen in areas such as your skin and muscles. It is crucial for maintaining hydration within your body’s tissues and works well with collagen to enhance and maintain the appearance and health of the skin. Antioxidants are needed throughout your body to reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin. Vitamin C doubles up as a great antioxidant!
TOP COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS FOR BLACK SKIN
Who shouldn’t take collagen supplements
It is generally agreed that collagen supplements are safe for most people but there are a few things to bear in mind.
If you have any allergies, make sure to check the ingredients to ensure there isn’t anything in the supplements which could cause a reaction.
Currently, there is no direct plant-based source of collagen (vegetarian and vegan supplements are based on collagen precursors) which means collagen supplements aren’t suitable for anyone on a plant-based diet.
If you’re on a Halal or Kosher diet look carefully at the ingredients of any supplements to make sure they are suitable.
High doses of collagen can cause digestive concerns such as cramps, nausea or bloating. If you have a sensitive stomach you may want to consider a low dose of collagen to begin with.
Collagen supplements can interact with some medications used to treat various heart conditions and Diabetes. If you have any of these conditions, speak with your doctor before you start taking any supplements.
There is currently limited information on taking collagen during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Current medical advice is to avoid until you are no longer pregnant and have stopped breastfeeding.