Collagen 101: Your Guide to Better Skin, Joints and Vitality
What Is Collagen, Really?
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein—about 30% of all protein in your body. It forms the structure of your skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even blood vessels. Made up of amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, collagen acts like scaffolding that holds your body together. There are 28 known types, but Type I makes up the majority, playing a key role in maintaining skin strength, joint flexibility, and overall resilience.
Why It Matters As You Age
From your mid-20s, natural collagen production declines 1–1.5% per year. Over time, this can lead to wrinkles, joint stiffness, and weaker bones. By age 80, collagen levels may drop by up to 75%. Supplementing with collagen peptides—hydrolyzed for better absorption—can help support your body’s natural collagen-building processes. Marine collagen, in particular, is highly bioavailable, clean-sourced, and environmentally sustainable. It absorbs up to 1.5x better than bovine collagen, making it a smart choice for beauty and wellness.
Benefits, Product Options & Tips
Backed by research, collagen supplementation improves skin hydration and elasticity, reduces wrinkles, relieves joint pain, and strengthens bones, tendons, and ligaments. It also helps reduce muscle soreness and boosts recovery after exercise.
Choose what fits your lifestyle:
-
Powders offer flexible, higher dosing—ideal for mixing into drinks.
-
Capsules are great for convenience and travel.
-
Collagen pre-workouts combine joint support with performance.
-
Collagen + whey blends deliver both muscle and skin benefits.
For best results, take it consistently, combine it with vitamin C, and support your wellness routine with hydration, nutrition, and regular movement. Always look for third-party tested, clean-sourced products—especially marine collagen—for optimal safety and results.
