Six natural ingredients that will boost your collagen levels

If you want to stay looking young and healthy, collagen is key. It’s this protein that allows our skin cells to repair and renew themselves, keeping the skin soft, smooth and firm. As we get older, the body produces less collagen, which is why we lose our skin elasticity and begin to develop the dreaded wrinkles. There are plenty of ways to boost your collagen levels with tailored beauty products, but it also never hurts to supplement your beauty routine through natural ingredients. Here are some of Mother Nature’s best remedies to help maintain that healthy glow inside and out.

Vitamin C

The easiest way to get more collagen in your diet is through vitamin C. This is found in citrus fruit such as oranges, grapefruits, limes and lemons – so you can even top yourself up by garnishing a glass of G&T – and it’s also found in leafy greens such as kale and other vegetables including broccoli and sprouts. 

Aloe Vera

You may have applied aloe vera gel onto your sunburn to help repair your skin, but research shows that using aloe vera on a regular basis can be just as good at encouraging your skin to grow. Aloe vera is found in a lot of beauty products such as creams and face masks, but it can also be taken orally through tablets or in refreshing aloe vera juice.

Antioxidants

An antioxidant removes oxidising agents in our bodies that can damage our cells. For this reason, though they won’t all boost your collagen production, they will help protect the collagen cells that are so crucial at maintaining our healthy skin. Antioxidants can be found in all number of products, from teas and berries to herbs and essential oils. 

Ginseng

Ginseng has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and there is a reason why. This ingredient increases the collagen in the bloodstream and may have the potential to stop skin cells from ageing so rapidly. Before you go for any dangerous beauty treatments, look no further than your supermarket as this simple fix is widely available in teas, supplements and herbal remedies. 

Chicken and fish

If you are a meat-eater, you are in luck, as chicken and fish contain lots of healthy connective tissues rich in collagen. But while the fleshy parts of animals might provide the tastiest meat, it’s actually the less savoury parts which could be the most beneficial. Chicken cartilage, fish scales, heads and eyes are highest in collagen, so on top of reducing food waste, you now have another incentive to use as much of the animal as possible.

Eggs

It has been proven that egg whites contain proline, an amino acid which helps with the production of collagen. So whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, boiled or poached, you are already doing wonders for your skin by the time you’ve had breakfast. The best part is that you can even whip up a meringue without the guilt.

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