Understanding Your Skin: Collagen vs. Elastin

Skincare companies are always talking about collagen and elastin. But why exactly is this duo so important? Let’s explore the science behind this powerhouse couple: why your skin needs them, what happens when you lose them, and how to maintain them for plumper, firmer skin.  

WHAT ARE COLLAGEN & ELASTIN? 

Think of collagen as an essential building block for the entire body: this naturally-occurring protein lives in our bones, muscles, skin and tendons and is responsible for giving skin its structure and firmness. Collagen is so vital to the skin’s structure that it makes up about 80% of the deeper layers of our skin.  

Unlike collagen, elastin is a protein that exists mostly in the connective tissues of the body. While collagen is responsible for giving skin its structure, elastin is responsible for the skin’s ability to bounce back when we press it or stretch it. In other words, elastin makes skin more elastic. Easy, right? 

WHAT HAPPENS TO COLLAGEN & ELASTIN AS WE AGE? 

When we’re young, our skin has plenty of collagen and elastin, which is why it looks so plump and bouncy. As we age, our body’s natural production of collagen and elastin begins to slow down, causing signs of aging like sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Certain environmental factors like UV rays and habits like poor diet and smoking cause collagen and elastin to break down prematurely, speeding up the skin’s aging process. While there are things that you can do to support collagen production, prevention is key to keeping the collagen and elastin you already have. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY COLLAGEN & ELASTIN  

The best way to maintain healthy collagen and elastin is by preventing them from breaking down in the first place. This means wearing sunscreen every day with UVA/UVB SPF 30+, maintaining a balanced diet, and using a skincare routine that supports healthy cell turnover. Here are our top anti-aging products that help support healthy collagen and elastin: 

ANTI-POLLUTION MOISTURIZING DAY CREAM: This moisturizer is high in antioxidants that can help neutralize free radicals from UV rays and pollution, preventing collagen and elastin from breaking down prematurely. 

EGF ACTIVATING SERUM: Epidermal growth factors speed up cellular turnover by activating the skin’s healing response. This means that they tell the skin that it’s time to make new skin cells to replace damaged ones. 

MICRONEEDLING SKIN REFINING TOOL: Microneedling micro-exfoliates the skin, which can help maintain skin plumpness and firmness. 

DERMAPLANING EXFOLIATION TOOL:  By removing dead skin cells, dermaplaning helps increase cellular turnover so your skin regenerates faster. 

TCA LACTIC AND GLYCOLIC FACE PEEL: Peels rich in exfoliating acids gently remove a layer of dead skin cells and encourage the production of healthy new skin. 

FIRMING EYE COMPLEX: This multi-tasking eye treatment contains multiple peptides that work synergistically to support and maintain firmness around the eye.