What is valuable to know is that collagen cannot be absorbed or ingested.

Collagen is too large a molecule to pass through the top layer of the skin. Even after a dermabrasion process, it will not absorb well. Some cosmetics use soluble or hydrolyzed collagen in them. This just means that the collagen molecules are broken down into smaller pieces to be able to penetrate the skin (peptides and amino acids). The most effective way to supplement this is to get collagen injections.

Supplements taken orally are not effective either because they do not survive the digestive process. Even assuming that they manage to make it through the process as amino acids, they do not get sent to specific targets like the skin.

Peptides

These fragments of collagen are small. Peptide supplements still have the same problem as collagen supplements though. The shortest peptides are dipeptides. They consist of 2 amino molecules joined by a peptide bond.

Amino acids

These are the base component of which peptides and the even larger collagen molecule are composed. They are needed to create it. There are numerous amino acids. Nonessential amino acids are the ones that the body makes. Essential amino acids are the ones that the body cannot make and you really need in your diet. The 9 essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Instead of collagen injections…

My 3 favorites – spark production

The injections are a painful and expensive process… it is better to use chemical peel, dermabrasion, or derma rollers to effect benefits to the skin. These 3 techniques are the best, most practical way to restore collagen to damaged or aging skin that is losing it more with age.

They are also easy to do yourself and are extremely inexpensive. They spark the skin to create collagen, forces new skin growth, and smooth out the surface. The result is younger, smoother, healthier looking skin. It is even possible to reduce or eliminate wrinkles and scars.

Peptide cream – will also spark production

Another method to get it is additionally very gentle, is to use Peptide creams. The presence of these broken collagen molecules trigger the skin to produce more. There are many anti-aging creams that contain peptides. Anti-aging creams include many other ingredients to be knowledgeable on, some are good, some are questionable, and some are in my opinion bad.

Nutrition

The other way to improve the collagen in the skin is to eat healthy foods that fuel the health of the skin and drink plenty of water. Eat things that are high in anti-oxidants. Ground flax seed is hugely beneficial. It is a better source of omega 3 oils than fish because it is better for taking frequently and easy to incorporate into recipes. Complete protein has all the essential amino acids in it. The best sources of complete protein are meat and eggs.

Sardines

The absolute best possible food to benefit the skin is Sardines. Sardines have CoQ10, Omega 3 oils, Vitamin D, and most importantly, they have a very high amount of nucleotides which build RNA and DNA. These are ingredients that supply good anti-oxidants, and act as anti-inflammatory, and for building muscle, tissue, and immune system.

If you do not like the taste of this incredible fish, then cover it in mustard and/or tomato sauce. They usually even provide a good supply of calcium. Other fish have similar health benefits, but not as much as sardines. There are also great benefits to taking a supplement combination called healthy hair, skin, and nails supplements. I use them and feel they really work.

Healthy food sources

Diet for benefiting the skin: Olive oil, Oatmeal, Fish (best possible food is Sardines), Meat, Seafood, Tea, Vegetables (especially raw), Nuts (especially walnuts), Seeds (Flax, Sunflower, Sesame seeds), Eggs.

Now that we have established that collagen cannot be absorbed into our body, here is an important topic to learn next…Peptides. They are smaller chains of amino acids that signal the body to produce more collagen when present in the skin. Read about Peptides as well as many other ingredients that often partner with them here…