6. Then Reapply Sunscreen Throughout the Day
Sunscreen lasts for two hours, says Garshick. “While making sunscreen a part of your daily routine is essential, it’s also important to reapply throughout the day, especially on days with extended sun exposure,” she says. Check the label on your product; reapplication recommendations vary, though the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends doing so every two hours.
RELATED: What’s the Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreen?
7. And Don’t Forget Below Your Chin
In your collagen-preserving sunscreen routine, don’t forget your neck, chest, and the back of your hands, says Garshick. “These areas can see the effects of cumulative sun damage, as the skin in these areas is thinner and therefore more likely to show the effects of aging,” she says.
8. Consider Taking Collagen Supplements
There are various collagen supplements available, including powders that you can mix into coffee and smoothies. While more studies are needed, says Garshick, she points to a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology that notes that preliminary research shows that these supplements help increase skin elasticity, hydration, and the density of collagen within skin.
9. Add Lean Protein to Your Plate
Eat a balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of protein. “High-protein foods contain amino acids that are critical for collagen synthesis,” says Garshick. Lean protein sources include fish, seafood, skinless chicken breast, and lean cuts of beef and pork.
RELATED: 10 of the Best Plant-Based Sources of Protein
10. Limit Your Added Sugar Intake
A diet rich in sugar promotes the formation of advanced glycation end products (aptly called AGEs) that break down collagen, says Chwalek. Limit sugar consumption by reading the back of food labels and looking at either the “added sugar” line in the nutrition label or reading the ingredient list.
11. Load Up on Produce
There are many benefits to filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, including preventing heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as Harvard University calls out. Add skin health to that list: “Eating a diet rich in antioxidants [via fruits and vegetables] can help to ward off free radical damage that degrades collagen,” says Chwalek.
12. Wear a Hat to Block the Sun’s Rays
A wide-brimmed hat will shield your face, scalp, and neck from damaging rays from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Choose a hat that has at least a 3-inch brim made with a tightly woven material.
RELATED: 10 Sun-Care Products That Dermatologists Use
13. Sport Shades to Protect Around Your Eyes
To discourage crow’s feet from forming, wear sunglasses. Wraparound shades stop UV rays from sneaking in around the sides. The good news is that even cheap sunglasses will protect against both UVA and UVB rays, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
14. Don’t Smoke — and Stop if You Do
Smoking cigarettes ages your skin in a variety of ways. “Smoking decreases blood flow and oxygen to the skin. It also creates toxic free radicals that damage collagen and elastin fibers and sop up antioxidants in the skin,” says Chwalek. Ultimately, this speeds up wrinkle formation, and past research shows the habit ages your skin faster.
15. Consider a Chemical Peel
There are many options for in-office anti-aging procedures, including a chemical peel. These use hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) to boost skin cell turnover, which in turn stimulates collagen production, says Garshick. Patients “see immediate benefits from chemical peels, as they can help with tone, texture, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she says.
RELATED: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Acids in Your Skin-Care Routine
16. Ask Your Dermatologist About Other In-Office Treatments
Ask your dermatologist if you are a good candidate for a resurfacing laser, radiofrequency treatment, microneedling, IPL (intense pulsed light), Juvederm/Restylane, or Radiesse. “These treatments work by stimulating collagen production and can help treat the visible signs of aging. Patients notice their skin looks more even and smoother over time,” says Chwalek.
17. Focus on De-Stressing Strategies
Stress causes inflammation and weakens the body’s ability to repair itself, speeding up skin aging, prior research shows. Maintain a list of de-stressing strategies to have at the ready for when life gets overwhelming.
18. Keep Moving
Physical activity keeps your body, mind, and skin young. “Exercise is another important factor in slowing the aging process,” says Chwalek. What’s more, staying active is a bona fide way to bust stress, the Mayo Clinic notes.
RELATED: How Exercise Can Give You Better Skin
19. Cut Back on Booze
Alcohol impairs skin’s ability to produce collagen, as well as its natural antioxidant defense system (making it more vulnerable to damage), according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. People who drink eight or more drinks per week are more likely to have lines and wrinkles.
20. Get Your Beauty Rest
While more research in humans is needed, maintaining a regular sleep schedule may help with collagen renewal, research on mice published in 2020 suggests. The Sleep Foundation recommends adults log seven to nine hours of (literal) beauty sleep per night.
I am a skincare expert with a deep understanding of dermatology and skin health. I have extensive knowledge of various skincare routines, ingredients, and treatments that contribute to maintaining youthful and healthy skin. My expertise is grounded in scientific research and practical experience, making me well-equipped to guide individuals on their journey to optimal skin health.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
1. Sunscreen Application:
- Sunscreen is crucial for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays.
- Sunscreen typically lasts for about two hours, emphasizing the importance of reapplication, especially on days with extended sun exposure.
2. Collagen-Preserving Sunscreen Routine:
- Emphasis on applying sunscreen not only to the face but also to the neck, chest, and the back of the hands to prevent cumulative sun damage.
3. Collagen Supplements:
- Mention of collagen supplements, such as powders, that may enhance skin elasticity, hydration, and collagen density based on preliminary research.
4. Protein for Collagen Synthesis:
- A balanced diet with an adequate amount of lean protein is recommended for collagen synthesis.
5. Sugar and Collagen Breakdown:
- The negative impact of a sugar-rich diet on collagen, promoting the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that break down collagen.
6. Antioxidant-Rich Diet:
- Eating fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants helps prevent free radical damage, thereby preserving collagen.
7. Sun Protection with Accessories:
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face, scalp, and neck from damaging sun rays.
- Using sunglasses, especially wraparound shades, to protect the delicate skin around the eyes from UV rays.
8. Avoiding Smoking:
- Smoking's detrimental effects on the skin, including decreased blood flow, production of toxic free radicals, and accelerated collagen and elastin fiber damage.
9. Chemical Peels and Anti-Aging Procedures:
- Chemical peels using hydroxy acids to stimulate collagen production and improve skin tone, texture, and fine lines.
- In-office anti-aging procedures like resurfacing laser, radiofrequency treatment, microneedling, IPL, and dermal fillers for collagen stimulation.
10. Stress Management:
- Stress's role in causing inflammation and accelerating skin aging, highlighting the importance of de-stressing strategies.
11. Exercise for Skin Health:
- Regular physical activity as a crucial factor in slowing the aging process and promoting overall skin health.
12. Alcohol's Impact on Collagen Production:
- The negative effects of alcohol on the skin's ability to produce collagen and its antioxidant defense system.
13. Importance of Sleep:
- The potential link between maintaining a regular sleep schedule and collagen renewal, with a recommended sleep duration of seven to nine hours for optimal skin health.
