Skin ageing: How the skin changes over the course of life
Our skin changes continuously throughout life. Biological ageing processes begin in early adulthood, although they are initially barely visible. When the first outward signs appear and how quickly they progress varies greatly from person to person and is influenced by genetic and hormonal factors as well as environmental influences and personal lifestyle.
Typical changes in ageing skin include:
- drier skin and a reduced ability to retain moisture
- decreasing firmness and elasticity
- fine lines and, over time, deeper wrinkles
- thinner and sometimes more sensitive skin
- a rougher or more uneven skin surface
- changes in pigmentation and so-called age or sun spots
- more visible small blood vessels and redness, particularly in sun-exposed skin
- an overall more uneven skin tone
Excursus: The structure of the skin
To understand why the skin loses firmness, elasticity and moisture with age, it is helpful to first take a brief look at its structure. The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the underlying dermis and the subcutis.
The dermis is particularly important for the firmness and elasticity of the skin. It contains blood vessels, nerves and skin appendages, as well as the so-called extracellular matrix. This is a network of fibres and other substances that surrounds the cells and provides structure to the tissue. Many of these components are produced by fibroblasts, the most important connective tissue cells in the dermis.
Collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin: The framework of the skin
The most important components of the extracellular matrix include collagen fibres, elastic fibres, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid. Together, they make an important contribution to the firmness, elasticity and water balance of the skin.
Collagen forms a dense network of fibres that provides the skin with stability and tensile strength. With increasing age, fibroblasts produce less new collagen, while existing collagen fibres are increasingly damaged and broken down. In adulthood, the collagen content of the skin is estimated to decrease by an average of around one per cent per year. At the same time, the arrangement of the fibres changes: the originally dense and well-organised collagen network gradually becomes looser and more irregular, reducing the structural stability of the skin.
Elastic fibres, by contrast, provide the skin with flexibility and help it return to its original shape after being stretched. Their structure and function also change during the ageing process.
Hyaluronic acid has a different role: it can bind large amounts of water and therefore plays an important part in the skin’s water balance. It is found in both the epidermis and the dermis. With increasing age, the amount and distribution of hyaluronic acid in the skin change. Its levels decrease particularly in the epidermis, making lines and wrinkles more visible.
Causes of skin ageing
So-called intrinsic skin ageing is a natural part of growing older. With increasing age, the cells of the epidermis renew themselves more slowly. At the same time, fibroblasts in the dermis become less active and produce fewer components of the connective tissue, such as collagen and elastin. Repair and regeneration processes also take place more slowly in older people.
How quickly skin ageing progresses is significantly influenced by external factors. Particularly relevant are:
- UV radiation: Excessive exposure to UV radiation is considered the most important external factor in premature skin ageing. UVA radiation in particular penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, where it promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species. At the same time, enzymes are activated that can break down components of the extracellular matrix such as collagen. Over the long term, intensive UV exposure can therefore promote wrinkles, loss of elasticity, changes in pigmentation and visible vascular changes.
- Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory processes: Factors such as smoking, environmental pollutants, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic stress or an unhealthy diet can promote oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the body. This can damage both cells and the extracellular matrix and promote ageing processes.
- Insufficient nutrient supply: The skin is a metabolically active organ and requires amino acids, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, among other nutrients, for normal cellular and metabolic processes. If these building blocks are lacking, skin regeneration is impaired.
Why was Collagen Beauty Complex developed?
Collagen Beauty Complex was developed to optimally support the skin’s supply of vital nutrients as well as its natural protective and renewal processes. The product is designed for daily, long-term use.
At the heart of the formula are 10 g of collagen hydrolysate per daily serving. This is complemented by hyaluronic acid and silicon as well as selected vitamins such as vitamin C and biotin.
Which ingredients does it contain?
One daily serving of Collagen Beauty Complex contains:
- 10 g collagen hydrolysate
- 100 mg hyaluronic acid
- 15 mg silicon from bamboo extract
- 80 mg vitamin C
- 6 mg vitamin E
- 10 µg vitamin D3
- 3 mg vitamin B5
- 400 µg vitamin A
- 300 µg biotin
Orange fruit powder and stevia extract are included for a pleasant taste. The product is free from preservatives as well as artificial flavours and colours.
A closer look at the ingredients in Collagen Beauty Complex
The formula combines various building blocks, cofactors and antioxidants associated with skin health.
Collagen hydrolysate: Structural protein of the skin
Collagen is the most important structural protein in human connective tissue and is found, among other places, in the skin, bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. In the dermis, it forms a dense network of fibres and, as described above, plays a major role in the mechanical properties of the skin.
To produce collagen hydrolysate, collagen is enzymatically broken down into smaller peptides. The collagen used in Collagen Beauty Complex comes from free-range cattle.
The body’s own production of collagen is a complex process that requires various micronutrients in addition to amino acids. Vitamin C is particularly important and is therefore also included in the formula.
Vitamin C: Collagen formation and antioxidant protection
Vitamin C is a cofactor for various enzymes involved in the body’s own collagen formation. In addition, vitamin C has an antioxidant function and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Hyaluronic acid: Water binding in the skin
Hyaluronic acid belongs to the glycosaminoglycans and has a pronounced ability to bind water. It occurs naturally in both the epidermis and the dermis. With increasing age, hyaluronic acid levels decrease, making the skin drier and more wrinkled.
Silicon from bamboo extract
After oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and also occurs naturally in the human body. It can be detected in connective tissue, bones, skin, hair and nails, among other tissues.
The silicon contained in Collagen Beauty Complex comes from bamboo extract. Bamboo is one of the plants that stores comparatively large amounts of silicon in its tissues. Silicon plays an important role in the strength of plant tissue.
Vitamin A: The driving force behind skin cell renewal
Vitamin A is one of the best-researched nutrients in dermatology. From a biological perspective, it plays a key role in the life cycle of skin cells: it supports normal cell division and the development of new, healthy skin cells in the upper layers. As our skin is constantly regenerating, an adequate supply of this vitamin is essential.
Vitamin E: Protection against oxidative stress
Vitamin E protects our cells from oxidative stress. As a fat-soluble vitamin, it is particularly relevant for protecting cell membranes.
Vitamin E and vitamin C work together in the body as an “antioxidant team”. When vitamin E neutralises a free radical, it becomes oxidised and inactive itself. Vitamin C, which is water-soluble, regenerates the depleted vitamin E so that it can once again protect cells.
Biotin and pantothenic acid: B vitamins for the skin
Biotin (vitamin B7) contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and hair and is involved in many important metabolic processes. For example, the vitamin supports the formation of the structural protein keratin, which is found in hair, nails and the epidermis.
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) supports normal energy metabolism and therefore the energy supply of metabolically active cells – including those in the skin.
Vitamin D3: Hormone for cell renewal
Vitamin D3 is not strictly a classic vitamin, but rather a hormone precursor that the body produces directly in the skin under the influence of sunlight. Vitamin D performs numerous functions in the body, for example in the immune system and in relation to muscles and bones. It also supports cell division and is therefore relevant to the renewal of skin cells.
Who is Collagen Beauty Complex particularly suitable for?
Collagen Beauty Complex is suitable for adults who want to specifically support their skin health and help prevent premature ageing processes from within. As changes in collagen and other components of the skin are not short-term processes, the supplement has been deliberately designed for regular, long-term use.
How should Collagen Beauty Complex be taken?
The recommended daily serving is one measuring spoon, equivalent to 12 g of powder. The powder can be stirred into water or another beverage, such as a smoothie. One container contains 360 g and therefore provides 30 daily servings.
As a general rule, we recommend discussing the use of food supplements with a doctor or therapist during pregnancy or breastfeeding, when taking medication regularly or in the presence of existing medical conditions, and having the body’s micronutrient status checked regularly through laboratory testing.
Further tips against premature skin ageing
In addition to a good supply of vital nutrients, the following measures can help maintain healthy skin over the long term and counteract premature ageing:
- consistent UV protection, as UV radiation is one of the most important external factors in skin ageing
- sufficient sleep and regular periods of rest, as numerous regeneration and repair processes take place during this time
- a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, herbs and other foods that are as minimally processed as possible
- an adequate protein intake as a source of amino acids, which the body requires, among other things, for its own structural proteins
- limiting highly processed foods as well as a high intake of sugar and refined flour products
- drinking enough water
- avoiding smoking and keeping alcohol consumption as low as possible
- using individually suitable, skin-compatible cosmetics and skincare products
- incorporating regular physical activity into everyday life
- supporting detoxification and lymphatic drainage
