Debunking Collagen Drink Mixes: Do They Work?

Debunking Collagen Drink Mixes: Do They Work?

The latest craze in skin care seems to change week to week. We believe in embracing simple skin care, but as the trends come and go, it's fun to sit back and let them run their course. So what exactly is it at the moment? Mixing collagen powders in your drink!


Collagen powders that mix into beverages are new and trendy and claim to have many benefits for skin and hair, but do they really improve skin and hair? Do they actually help boost collagen in the skin and grow thick, luscious locks? We did a little investigating to see what others, and professionals thought.


Collagen powders are particularly easy to find and can be purchased at natural grocery stores and supplement shops, as well as a ton of online marketplaces. And at first glance, they seem like a pretty good idea — after all, collagen is one of the most important building blocks of healthy and firm skin. It’s the protein that provides our skin its strongest structure.


And it makes sense that these types of collagen supplements and drink powders are increasing in popularity — collagen begins to decrease its production at age 30, and there are external factors that try to attack our skin, (AKA free radicals), that tries to damage collagen on a daily basis. So, obviously, supplements like these are selling like hotcakes.


They claim to boost skin’s natural collagen, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity of the skin, promote cell turnover and increase circulation to improve cellulite and varicose veins. Wow! These products seem like a no brainer for those of us who want to find that fountain of youth any way we can.


Dr. Peter Aldea of Memphis, Tennessee discredits collagen mixes saying, “Collagen is just another protein chain which when eaten is digested by the stomach acids and the upper small bowel into its particular amino acid subunits. As long as the source of protein is high in amino acids (instead of fat etc), any one source of eaten protein is not better than another.”


Another professional, Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC, says, “Supplements are not well regulated, so you can pretty much claim a lot of things that aren’t substantiated in science or in proof.”


The truth about collagen is, when ingested, it’s broken down into amino acids in the GI tract, and doctors believe it’s unlikely that any whole collagen actually finds its way to your bloodstream. However, amino acids are important to maintain healthy skin, so mixing collagen powders into your smoothies, coffees or juices could have an indirect benefit to your skin.

 

The bottom line?

 

Ingesting collagen isn’t the best, recommended way to increase collagen. Instead, you should focus on protecting the collagen you already have with topical skin care products that feature the healthy, necessary ingredients. But keep in mind, like these supplements that claim to boost collagen in the skin, topical products that claim to contain collagen should be approached carefully.

Why? Collagen molecules are typically too large to be properly absorbed into the skin, so they can’t really increase collagen. Look for ingredients in skin care that contain Vitamin A or Vitamin C. Vitamin A sends signals to the skin cells to increase collagen production. Similarly, products containing peptides act as messengers to cells, too, instructing them to up the collagen production.


Vitamin C, on the other hand, is an antioxidant that protects skin from environmental factors that look to destroy skin’s collagen. So, products containing highly stable forms of Vitamin C are going to act as a strong defense against external elements that can cause skin to age quicker and prematurely.


Where can you find anti-aging skin care products rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, collagen-increasing peptides and other nourishing, healthy ingredients? Right here, at eb5 Skincare!

Our serums, paired with the Intense Moisture Anti-Aging Skin Cream, provide the perfect combination of ingredients that either tell your skin to produce more collagen or protect your skin’s collagen like it’s their one and only job! Shop these anti-aging products and more!