5 Ways You Should Be Collagen Banking Right Now (and Why It’s Never Too Early or Too Late)
You’ve probably heard the buzz around collagen banking, but what does it mean?
Simply put, collagen banking is the idea of boosting your body’s collagen reserves early on to maintain youthful skin, joints, and overall health for longer. Collagen is a structural protein that gives your skin elasticity, strengthens bones, and keeps your joints flexible. However, we naturally lose collagen as we age, with factors like UV exposure, pollution, and even stress speeding up that decline.
The good news? You can start “banking” collagen at any age—whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, or beyond! Here’s why you should start now, turbocharged with five effective ways to do it.
Why Do We Lose Collagen?
Starting in our mid-20s, our collagen production drops by about 1% each year. By the time we’re in our 30s and 40s, external factors like sun exposure, poor diet, smoking, and even stress cause collagen breakdown to accelerate. This results in wrinkles, joint stiffness, and less skin elasticity.
5 Ways to Turbocharge Your Collagen Banking
- Eat Collagen-Boosting Foods
Foods rich in vitamin C, zinc, and amino acids help your body naturally produce more collagen. Think citrus fruits, bone broth, and leafy greens—these are the gold mines for your collagen savings account! - Use Topical Retinoids
Retinoids stimulate collagen production by speeding up cell turnover and reducing wrinkles. Incorporate a high-quality retinoid or retinol cream into your skincare routine to give your skin a collagen kickstart. - Add Collagen Supplements
Hydrolyzed collagen supplements are proven to boost skin elasticity and hydration while reducing wrinkles. It’s like a fast deposit to your collagen bank, keeping your skin plump from the inside out!- Disclaimer: While collagen supplements are widely promoted by celebrities and experts alike, it’s important to note that some research still questions their effectiveness. Further studies are needed to fully confirm their long-term benefits.
- Prioritize Sun Protection
Sunscreen is your skin’s best friend! UV rays are one of the biggest collagen destroyers, so wearing SPF daily can protect and preserve your collagen levels for the long haul. - Try Collagen-Boosting Treatments
Consider professional treatments like microneedling, laser therapy, or radiofrequency. These methods can help stimulate collagen production under the skin’s surface. They add a hefty deposit to your collagen reserves. Also having an excellent skin care hygiene and DIY treatments help!
It’s Never Too Early—or Too Late
Whether you’re trying to prevent collagen loss in your 20s or reverse its effects later in life, collagen banking is for everyone. Start today, and future you will thank you for it! Even older individuals can benefit from collagen supplements because the skin is remarkably responsive to improvements in collagen levels. As we age, the body produces less collagen, leading to visible signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin. However, the skin still has a natural ability to regenerate. The skin’s turnover process continues throughout life. Therefore, older and younger adults can experience noticeable results from collagen supplementation.
Even though some might argue that the jury is out on collagen, I’m a huge fan of keeping my routine simple yet effective. My personal favorite? Morning green smoothies! I whip up a blend of green apples, blueberries, strawberries, and mixed greens, topped off with a dollop of yogurt and a splash of coconut water. Oh, and here’s the kicker: I sneak in a scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides into my smoothie (and yes, into my coffee too!). I firmly believe that these small actions go a long way—just like my daily goal of 7,000 steps. It may not be marathon training, but it definitely keeps me feeling on top of my game!
Or, if you’ve got a favorite wellness habit of your own, I’d love to hear about it! Your skin, joints, and morning energy will definitely thank you for it! Let’s share and keep the good vibes going!
UBeCute 