Modern advertising has a big impact on a person. She is able to inspire anything to a gullible consumer. This is especially true for the beauty industry. Collagen-based drugs are popular today. But before making the final choice, it's worth finding out what function a face cream with collagen performs. Whether our skin needs it and whether it is able to rejuvenate it, we need to understand this and much more in more detail.
Collagen and its functions
Collagen is a special protein that is present in tendons and ligaments; moreover, it fills the empty space between muscle fibers. Its main function is to bind and provide strength, firmness and elasticity of connective tissues.
Of course, collagen fibers are most elastic at a young age, but over time, their elasticity is lost, as a result of which the skin sags and wrinkles appear. This is most pronounced in the mouth, eyes and forehead. This process is caused by the lack of the necessary amount of moisture in the cells: on the one hand, collagen does not allow its loss, and on the other, it can absorb it into itself (it absorbs 30 times the volume of liquid exceeding its own mass).
Operating principle
The collagen molecule is a protein helical filament. It is due to this that skin elasticity is determined by the quality and quantity of collagen fibers consisting of glycosaminoglycans. At a low level of glycosaminoglycans, the springs weaken, cease to retain moisture, which leads to sagging and stretching of the skin.
Scientists are still struggling with the question of whether it is possible to somehow influence the additional production of collagen. There are several ways: expensive salon procedures - mesotherapy (introducing cocktails based on collagen and hyaluronic acid under the skin), etc. A less expensive method is a cream with collagen and elastin for the face, but experts still argue about the effectiveness of such drugs.
Collagen Benefits
- stimulates the processes of natural rejuvenation of the skin;
- preparations with its content perfectly moisturize and tighten the skin;
- perfectly fights age-related pigmentation of the epidermis;
- elimination of age and facial wrinkles;
- slowing down the skin aging process;
- the probability of lowering the upper eyelids is reduced;
- scars and scars are eliminated;
- high-quality face cream with collagen can be used to care for the eyelids.
disadvantages
- The regular use of such creams can be addictive, as a result of this the aging process can even accelerate.
- Animal collagen, which is part of most budget funds, forms a film on the skin, which interferes with the normal functioning of the epidermis.
- Has clearly defined age restrictions.
Kinds
In a specialized store or pharmacy you can always find many special skin care products containing collagen, but some may be confused by the cost, the fluctuations of which are quite significant. Many women, of course, may have a desire to save, but in most cases this will be done in vain. To date, four types of collagen are used in cosmetology, each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. And this should be sorted out in more detail.
Types of Collagen:
- Animal. Its main advantage is its affordable price and long shelf life. It is made on the basis of components extracted from the skin of cattle. The main disadvantage of this type of collagen is that it is not practical to use it. The molecules of animal protein are so large that they are not able to penetrate the skin. They only form a film on the surface of the epidermis clogging the pores.
- Vegetable. Collagen, which is extracted from wheat germ, is considered safer and more effective. However, such creams are an expensive pleasure.
- Nautical. Face cream with marine collagen is a luxury product, and not everyone can afford it. However, it is the marine variety of collagen that is considered the safest for humans. Marine collagen is perfectly absorbed by skin cells and effectively fights age-related skin changes. However, preparations with marine collagen are not ideal - they can cause allergic reactions, and their shelf life is short.
In addition to the types listed above, in pharmacies you can find drugs that include collagen hydrolyzate. Similar products are intended for oral administration. Mandatory certification of such drugs is quite problematic and “slippery”, so there is no need to talk about safety in this situation.
From what age can I use face cream with collagen
Since collagen is a natural substance, up to a certain age, the body is able to independently update and synthesize it. In youth, this protein is produced in exactly the amount necessary to maintain the skin in a healthy and beautiful state. With age, this ability decreases, and then a cream with collagen rejuvenating for the face comes to the rescue, it is just designed to make up for the missing amount of this protein.
Collagen preparations are prohibited for young girls. The skin is “lazy” and will cease to produce this protein on its own ahead of time, while damaged areas of the skin can not be updated on their own. Simply put, young skin can no longer “live” without this drug. Collagen products will have to be used constantly.
The most optimal for the use of collagen is age 40+, rarely when specialists prescribe such creams to women from 35 to 40 years old. Reinforced by auxiliary components needs withered skin. It is in this case that a face moisturizer with collagen will be an excellent choice.
Buyer Tips
Today, the market is ready to offer a large number of collagen-containing preparations. Each manufacturer does not get tired of convincing potential buyers that it is his products that have miraculous properties. However, you do not need to rely solely on advertising, otherwise it can lead to trouble.
Of course, it is not worthwhile to subject each purchased product to a laboratory study, however, minimal caution must be exercised. When purchasing a face cream with hyaluronic acid, collagen or another active substance, first of all, you need to pay attention to such aspects:
- Type of collagen . As it turned out, it is best to abandon the use of animal collagen. If such information is not present on the package, most likely you want to “slip” low-quality goods.
- Expiration date . Luxury high-quality creams are often made on the basis of marine collagen, which loses its useful properties during prolonged contact with sunlight. If you find a drug with a long shelf life, then most likely it contains synthetic preservatives.
- Price The cost of the drug can not be the key criterion for choosing, however, animal collagen is the budgetary one, which does not have the desired effect. It is best to choose plant collagen, however, the products in which it is included very rarely fall into the budget segment.
- Composition . If the word Collagen in the list is closer to the end, then its content in the cream is insignificant.
Cream with collagen for the face: reviews of cosmetologists
Despite the optimistic picture, cosmetologists are in no hurry to recommend a face cream with collagen. The main reason is that animal collagen is part of most drugs. Collagen molecules are fairly voluminous chemical compounds that cannot enter the body through the pores. Therefore, most often such a cream with collagen rejuvenating for the face is washed off with water after application.
In most cases (especially cheaper cosmetics), lifting, moisturizing the skin and other miraculous properties are a myth. However, in such cosmetics there are auxiliary components that can positively affect the skin.
Separately, experts also mention collagen creams prepared at home. This is not a very good solution. The effect will be minimal, but the risk of staying with an allergy is very high.
Common Collagen Myths
The first myth. Collagen from food can slow down the aging process. An organism is a complex system that “trusts no one”. Proteins coming from food are first broken down into constituents (amino acids). Only after this, the body begins to build its own proteins on its own. Because of this, there is no need to talk about any guarantees that a dish with collagen will turn into collagen in the body.
The second myth. Subcutaneous injections are a panacea for aging. The same principle works here as with the collagen menu. Proteins introduced under the skin also break down initially. The advantage of such procedures is that the protein is immediately injected under the skin and does not go through the entire digestive chain. The resulting amino acids are much more likely to turn back into collagen, which is necessary for aging skin.
The most effective method of preserving youth is to prevent the destruction of the "youth protein" already existing in the body. To do this, avoid exposure to UV rays on the skin, abandon bad habits and reduce sugar intake. If you decide to buy a cream with anti-aging collagen for the face, reviews, recommendations of cosmetologists and doctors should be a decisive factor when choosing.