Can collagen be absorbed through the skin?

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Can collagen be absorbed through the skin?

3:44 AM

Can collagen be absorbed through the skin? | Healthbiztips

Can collagen be absorbed through the skin? | Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

I've found this face mask and toner that claims to contain collagen, but I know collagen is a protein that is too large to be absorbed by the skin, so what is the science behind this?

Can collagen be absorbed through the skin or is this another marketing strategy to make me buy this beauty product?


The verdict:

Sad to say but topically applied collagen, such as those found in facial creams, are too large to be absorbed by the pores of the skin. It simply is not possible.

Collagen is extensively marketed in the beauty industry because of it's incredible cosmetic benefits such as improvement in the elasticity of the skin, minimization of sagging, and reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Collagen containing skincare products usually comes at such a high price, but many beauty enthusiasts are not aware that their skin is not capable of absorbing such large molecule of collagen.

Collagen is a protein that makes up a large percentage of the human body, not just the skin. It is what makes structure tough, elastic, and pliable. Humans can naturally produce collagen, but with age, the ability to manufacture this protein diminishes which leads to signs of aging such as wrinkling and sagging.

There are beauty companies who blatantly advertise that the collagen content of their topical beauty formula can be directly be absorbed by the skin, however, we know that this is simply not possible given the biology of the human skin.

On the other hand, there are beauty products out there that rely on potent ingredients their skincare products contains to boosts the skin's natural ability to produce collagen.

10 Facts about Collagen

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10 Facts about Collagen

6:53 PM

10 Facts about Collagen | Healthbiztips

10 Facts about Collagen | Healthbiztips

Collagen is a protein which is commonly associated with the youthful and wrinkle-free appearance of the skin because it provides strength and flexibility. This protein is abundantly found in the skin. In fact, collagen makes up about 75% of your skin.

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog

1. Collagen isn't just found in your skin. In fact, it provides structural support to most of your cells and tissues like your cornea, hair, nail, teeth, bone, blood vessels, lungs, muscle, tendon, cartilage, connective tissues, and internal organs.


2. The word "collagen" is derived from the Greek word "kólla" which means glue.


3. Collagen is the most abundant protein in humans as it makes up about 25% to 35% of total proteins found in the human body and it's main function is to provide structural support.


4. There are about 25 kinds of collagen found in the human body? Approximately 12 kinds of collagen is exclusively found in the skin.


5. As we age, our ability to produce collagen diminishes which leads to wrinkling and sagging.


6. There's a chance a person can be allergic to cosmetically applied collagen.


7. You may be familiar with the food gelatin, but did you know that it's actually made up of broken down collagen. Yummy?


8. The 5 common type of collagen are:

• Type I : found in skin, cornea, dentin of teeth, blood vessels, tendon, and bones
• Type II: found in cartilage
• Type III: found in reticular fiber in the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues
• Type IV: found in the basement membrane of tissues
• Type V: found in the hair and placenta

9. 90% of the collagen found in the human body is type I collagen.


10. By 2018, there have been 40 subtypes of collagen identified.