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How to Deal With Cellulite: Can Collagen Help?
Every year, people spend a lot of money to fight cellulite. Whether it’s personal fitness coaches, laser surgeries, liposuctions, or fancy creams, it’s still hard to get rid of it completely. If you’ve been trying to find the best ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite, you’re probably wondering whether collagen can help you do so. In this article, we’ll dig deeper into the advantages of collagen and how your skin can benefit from it. Are you ready to say “NO” to cellulite? Let’s dive in. What Is Cellulite? Even though we’re sure you know how cellulite looks when you see it, let’s discover its scientific explanation. Cellulite is the irregular fat build-up beneath the skin that pushes connective tissues out of shape. As a result, it creates a dimpled, lumpy “cottage cheese” look on your thighs, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms. “To understand cellulite, you have to understand what collagen is. Collagen is a protein structure, and when it comes to cellulite, it's responsible for essentially keeping fat where it belongs. It's almost like a protective band. If this band tightens too much, fat can escape and rise up to the surface of the skin, causing what we know as cellulite. Collagen supplements work by providing more of the necessary protein to strengthen this band, which means fewer fat cells will get through.” Rex Freiberger, CEO of Discuss Diets If you’ve been obsessed with the idea to get rid of cellulite, you’re not alone. 85 - 98% of women suffer from cellulite. This issue is more than ordinary, and that’s why there’s nothing to be ashamed of. The good news is, you can focus on your health and figure out the ways to eliminate the appearance of cellulite without expensive surgeries and medical interference. Spoiler alert: collagen might become your most potent weapon in this battle. What Causes Cellulite and How Is Collagen Connected to It? With age, our skin slowly stops stretching, loses its elasticity, and starts rolling. But don’t worry, it happens to almost everyone. And, yes, even men. So, how is collagen connected to all of this? Firstly, collagen works from inside your body. It’s exactly where the cellulite appears. And unlike creams, it affects your skin from within, which is much more effective. Secondly, collagen works to strengthen the connective tissue, make your skin more elastic and reduce the signs of aging. It also helps you hydrate skin from the inside and thus, leave it firm and plump (in a good way). “Cellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes dimpled skin that is uneven and lumpy on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. It's also referred to as orange peel skin and affects both men and women, with a tendency to be more prevalent amongst women. It occurs due to the misshaping of connective tissues due to fat pushing through. Collagen can help improve the appearance of cellulite as it strengthens the connective tissues, hydrates and improves the elasticity of the skin from within.” Lina Velikova, Medical Advisor at Supplements101 In short, cellulite is a change in the look and texture of your skin. Collagen can slow down these changes and help you fight them without invasive medical procedures. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food looked into the effects of bioactive collagen peptides on the moderate cellulite of 105 healthy weight and overweight women between the ages of 24 and 50. They were taking 2.5 grams of collagen daily for six months. In comparison to the placebo group, those women taking a daily dose of collagen noticed a considerable reduction in the appearance of cellulite. The results were the most significant among women of normal weight. So I Just Start Taking Collagen Supplements Then? How Does It Work? As we always state, there’s no magic pill against aging, which is usually the main cause of cellulite. That’s why you need to have realistic expectations when it comes to collagen and other types of supplementation. Collagen can help you reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve your skin’s elasticity, yet, it won’t happen overnight. You should also note that it can’t fully reverse cellulite, but it can make your skin look smoother and healthier. If you want to see the benefits of collagen for the skin yourself, choose collagen peptide products that are made using collagen type I and III. These are the best types of collagen to promote the synthesis of collagen in the dermis layer of your skin and bring noticeable results. “I would recommend collagen peptides for cellulite. Bioactive collagen peptides are easier for your body to fully absorb, so less will be converted to waste.” Rex Freiberger, CEO of Discuss Diets Thankfully, there are tons of creative ways to include collagen into your daily diet. For example, you can add our Gelpro Advanced Marine Collagen Peptides into your favourite juice, smoothie, coffee, water, or any other drink you prefer. It’s 100% water-soluble, so you can experiment with mixing it into different meals too. Plus, it has no carbs, no sugar, and no fat. Our Advanced Marine Collagen is Type I Collagen, which is what our skin is made of. 3 More Ways to Reduce Cellulite Naturally Not being able to get rid of cellulite entirely doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to reduce its appearance. In this case, a few lifestyle changes can come in handy. Here are five things you can do to fight with those pesky skin dimples on your thighs, buttocks, or abdomen. 1. Exercise Regularly No one has cancelled moderate exercising yet. Except for being generally good for your health, it can also help you have firmer and smoother skin by increasing muscle weight and burning fat. You don’t have to spend seven days per week in a gym to keep yourself in shape. Here, consistency is the key, especially if you focus on your lower body. Choose the type of exercise you prefer and try to stick to your regimen. It can be swimming, jogging, dancing, cycling, or simply walking. As long as you do some physical activity, you’re already working towards eliminating the appearance of cellulite. 2. Maintain a Healthy Weight Strive for the balance. If you want to achieve good results and relatively soon, then you have to combine exercise with a healthy diet. Try to avoid processed food and products full of harmful sugars, fat, and carbs. “In addition to your supplement, you should try eating more foods which contain collagen or promote natural collagen growth. Bone broth is formed by simmering meat bones for hours, and sometimes overnight. It's filled with collagen so it's nice to strengthen your stomach so improve the immune system too. Both fish and beef are high in collagen. Foods which promote skin health and potentially the development of collagen include lemon, leafy greens such as kale and spinach, and vegetables containing vitamin A. You can eat as much as you want of these true, whole foods. They will help make your diet collagen-rich and clean, so your body and skin will be particularly healthy.” Lesley Reynolds, Co-Founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic With the number of recipes online, you’ll definitely be able to find meals that would be nutrient-dense, healthy, and delicious. And in general, excess body weight can cause many more health problems. That’s why staying fit and giving your body all the vital vitamins and antioxidants are critical to sustaining a healthy lifestyle. 3. Hydrate If you want your skin to stay plump and radiant, you need to supply it with enough water just like the rest of your body. Not only will it help you avoid dehydration but also maintain a healthy look of your skin. According to these recommendations, it’s advised to consume around 2.7 litres of water per day (including from foods.) Of course, the final amount of water you’re going to drink will largely depend on your health, age, gender, and activity levels. “Another method you can try is dry brushing, which helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. Alternatively, you can also try a coffee scrub to help remove water and toxins from your skin.” Lina Velikova, Medical Advisor at Supplements101 Bottom Line Is it possible to eliminate cellulite? No. Is it possible to reduce its appearance? Luckily, yes. Healthy lifestyle and collagen peptides are some of the ways that can help you prevail over cellulite. Are you ready to be patient, have a balanced diet, do enough physical activities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Then you’re on the path to success when it comes to reducing cellulite without medical interference. Note: always listen to your body and consult with your doctor first before adding new products to your daily diet.
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Weak, Peeling Nails? Get Stronger Nails, Starting Today
With age, your nails become weaker, more brittle, and prone to splitting. Peeling and thin nails can also indicate some underlying health issues or nutrient deficiencies. Thankfully, it’s much easier to get stronger nails than achieve any other long-term beauty goals. Introducing a few changes to your lifestyle and maintaining a healthy diet can help you get those stronger nails you’ve been striving for. Consider this: daily bioactive collagen peptides treatment has proven to boost the growth of fingernails by 12% and decrease the frequency of broken nails by 42%, according to the 2017 study. In this article, we’ll discover the benefits of collagen peptides for nails and provide you with a few tips to help you grow stronger and healthier nails faster. Are Your Nails Thin & Brittle? This Might Be Why "Nails can be thin or brittle for a variety of reasons. Thin, weak or peeling nails may be caused by a lack of essential fatty acids in the diet, which can make nails dry out and start peeling. Another cause can be damage to the nails, either by trauma or prolonged application of nail extensions. After removing them, nails can become very sore, and as they take time to regain their health, will be very thin and weak. Long-term illness or some medications can also cause the nails to be thin and weak. When we're ill, our body isn't functioning as it should, and this possibly includes lower blood circulation. Thus, not nourishing the skin or nails may lead the skin cells not to reproduce as effectively as they should, causing the nails to become dull, dehydrated and grow slower." Alison Angold, Fully-Qualified Beauty Therapist at Beauty Taming The Beast Environmental Factors The free radicals that affect your skin can also damage your nails and hair structure. Collagen in your body protects your skin cells from this free radical damage and fights its harmful effects. As you age, the levels of collagen in your body decline. As a result, your skin, nails, and hair become more susceptible to various environmental stressors. Collagen & Nutrients Deficiency Did you know that collagen is one of the main proteins in your nail beds? In fact, it’s also one of the most prevalent proteins in your body. Thin and brittle nails can be a sign that your body needs more collagen and other vital nutrients like Iron, Vitamin C, Zinc, Protein, and Omega Fats. Stress Emotional and physical well-being has a tremendous effect on your health. Stress can negatively affect not only your skin but also hair and nails, making them weak and more prone to breakage. Avoiding stressful situations and having a proper work-life balance can help you stay more positive and prevent various health problems, including brittle nails. 10 Ways to Grow Stronger, Beautiful Nails Luckily, you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune when it comes to getting your nails healthy and strong. Here are a few things you can introduce to your daily life to prevent your nails from peeling and chipping. 1. Drink Water As simple as it might sound, drinking enough water is not only critical for your overall health but also the structure of your nails. They need to be hydrated just like your skin. If you want to have strong nails, ensure that you drink plenty of water every day. 2. Avoid Chemicals Even though nail polish looks nice, it’s not good for your nails. Most nail polishes and nail polish removers contain harsh chemicals that can easily damage your nails. If you still want to keep on painting your nails, look for non-toxic nail polishes and nail polish removers without acetone. Also, let your nails breathe from time to time by taking breaks between reapplying nail polish. “Use of indiscriminate acetone nail polish removers, repeated coating of nail polish over months without removing them, using hand sanitizers or frequent washing of the hands without moisturizing it subsequently (very relevant right now during the COVID times) could make the nails flake and crumble.” Rashmi Singh, Board-Certified Dermatologist at ZELEN Life 3. Get Enough Collagen Your nails and hair are made of keratin. Proper collagen intake can help you increase the synthesis of keratin. It can also help you make your nails stronger and improve their appearance. “Use high-quality collagen. Collagen is made naturally by the body and makes up a very large portion of our body structure. It is found abundantly in skin, hair and nails. As we grow older, the body slows down in producing collagen and it affects the overall health of your skin, hair, and nails. Consuming it as a supplement is a great way to keep your nail strong and healthy. I have been doing these for months now and it has significantly improved the overall health and appearance of my nails. Hope you found this helpful as well! Let me know if you have more questions.” Essie Button 4. Do Not Soak Your Nails in Water Too Much Of course, it’s not possible to prevent your nails from “touching” water completely; however, you can try minimizing their exposure to water. Soaking your nails in water for a long time might lead to weak and brittle nails. You can avoid it by using gloves when doing dishes and cleaning or try keeping your hands out of water when taking a bath, for example. 5. Do Not Use Your Nails as a Tool Need to open something? Forget about using your nails. Otherwise, you’ll simply break them and make them even weaker. Use your fingers or a specific kitchen tool to open jars, soda cans, etc. We know that it can be hard to resist taking advantage of your nails, but they’re not as hard as you might think. 6. Follow a Healthy Diet It’s not a secret that what we eat affects our bodies and how we look. The same is for your nails. A diet that contains a variety of healthy foods, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids can help you grow your nails stronger and faster. “A balanced diet, along with a quality multivitamin, and collagen supplements can give you the best chance at stable and healthy nails. Eating foods that are rich in biotin, iron, and magnesium such as bananas, egg yolks, fish, milk products, and whole grains can help your nails be stronger and better looking.” Lina Buk, Beauty Expert & Founder of Nail Art Gear 7. Cut Your Nails As much as you’d want to have those nicely-shaped long nails, in reality, longer nails break more frequently, and it’s harder to maintain them healthy. On the other hand, it’s much easier to take care of short nails and make them look strong and healthy. 8. Avoid Gel or Acrylic Nails For some occasions, you might want to use gel or acrylic nails, however, try not to wear them all the time. It might cause your nails to peel and break as well as make the skin around your nails age faster. 9. Moisturize Your Nails Using lotion or hand cream is an excellent way to moisturize your nails, especially after using a nail polish remover that might dry out your nails. Or you can also try making it a habit to apply hand cream every time you wash your nails. “Moisturize your hands constantly. Just like how coronavirus made you sanitize your hands as often as necessary, you need to moisturize your hands as well - maybe not as often as sanitizing, though. Constant application of alcohol on your hands can make them dry. It also removes natural cuticle oil which repairs and nourishes the nails.” Essie Button 10. Take Care of Your Cuticles Cuticles act as a barrier that protects your nails. That’s why it’s important to nourish your cuticles with a cream or oil. And if you don’t really like how your cuticles look, try pushing them back instead of cutting them to avoid inflammation. The Best Collagen Skin, Hair & Nails Formula Your nails can say a lot about the state of your health, just like your skin and hair. Since natural collagen levels in your body decline with age, you should make sure to provide your body with what it asks for. Apart from making a few changes to your lifestyle and using home remedies for nails, you can try introducing collagen peptides to your daily diet. “Hydrolysed collagen peptides are easy to incorporate into any diet. They are tasteless and can go in anything from smoothies to cooked food. The body sends them to where they are needed the most. So you might notice, first, that you think better from the boost of collagen to your brain, or that the supplemented collagen relieves pain in your back or wrist. It takes a little longer for collagen to make it to the skin, hair and nails. Once it does, a more beautiful appearance is the really nice side effect.” Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist & Beauty Consultant at TheRightHairstyles.com Collagen may help you: Get stronger nails Protect your nails from external damage Improve their appearance Promote natural nail growth If you have ongoing problems with thin and brittle nails or have any health concerns about introducing new products to your diet, consult your doctor first.
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13 Healthy Natural Hair Tips You Need to Know
“Bad Hair -- Don’t Care” is fun... until you have bad hair every single day. Soft, shiny, and healthy-looking hair is something everyone strives for. However, this goal might not be as easy to achieve as they show it in tv commercials or glam articles. Expensive shampoos and frequent hairdresser appointments aren’t enough to maintain your hair in great condition and promote its growth. If you want to improve your hair structure and make it look naturally healthy and beautiful, you need to adjust your lifestyle, diet, and habits accordingly. So, what does it take to find the perfect hair routine that would save your hair from damage, dullness, thinning, and dryness? It’s time to get to the bottom of it. Tips & Best Practices for Healthy Hair More than 74% of women admitted that they feel less confident on a bad hair day, according to the Redbook poll. If you also tend to feel down when it becomes hard to handle your own hair, here are a few things you can do to get that glossy, tv-star hair you’ve always dreamt of. 1. Know Your Hair Type To create the most effective hair care routine, you need to know the type of your hair and choose the products that would enhance its natural beauty. So, first, define whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or kinky hair, and go from there. Each type requires different care, so don’t overlook it. 2. Do Not Wash Your Hair Too Frequently Of course, everyone’s hair is different, and there’s no one-fits-all suggestion on how many times you should wash your hair. Generally, try to do it once in 2-3 days to prevent your hair from drying and losing its natural shine. However, if you’re an avid fitness enthusiast or have very oily hair, wash it as many times as you feel your hair needs it. 3. Condition Properly While the shampoo takes care of your scalp, conditioner ensures your hair is moisturized from top to bottom. Try to experiment with different brands and types of conditioners to find the one that wouldn’t leave your hair greasy afterwards. When applying, pay more attention to the ends and mid hair to ensure it’s well hydrated. “Coconut oil has some of the best ingredients for natural hair strengthening and color you can find. Other than being a natural ingredient, you can purchase it at any superstore and use it for different purposes, whether it's cooking, looking after your skin or your hair. Apply a small amount of coconut oil onto the palm of your hand, rub it together and run through your hair. Leave it for a couple of minutes and wash it off. After a few uses, you may start to notice more colour in your hair, less split ends and an overall increase in strength of your hair.” Dr.Giuseppe Aragona, General Practitioner, M.D. at Prescription Doctor 4. Maintain a Healthy Diet What you eat directly affects your hair condition. Just like any other part of your body, hair requires sufficient amounts of nutrients to stay strong and healthy. For example, people who are struggling with hair loss might have an excess of vitamin A or iron deficiency. So, if you want to ensure your hair grows faster and stays healthy, try including fish, nuts, eggs, milk into your diet and drink plenty of water throughout the day. A balanced diet that combines proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates is the key to achieving your hair goals sooner. 5. Trim Your Hair Regularly Unlike one of the popular myths sate, trimming your hair is important to keep it looking healthy and neat, not to boost its growth. If your goal is to grow hair, then focusing on your diet should be your number one priority. Also, don’t forget that hormones and genetics define how fast your hair grows. Trimming your hair once per 6-8 weeks should be enough to keep it strong, get rid of split ends, and make it easier to handle. Bad Hair Habits You Need to Get Rid Of Apart from introducing new healthy habits into your daily life, it’s critical to eliminate the bad ones too. Here are a few bad habits you need to get rid of to protect your hair: Fad Diets As tempting as they might seem, fad or crash diets can negatively affect your hair by decreasing protein levels in your body and leading to hair loss. If you don’t want to lose more hair than needed, make sure to look after your diet and take care of any eating disorders. And if you strive to impose your eating habits, check out these five nutrition hacks to make your hair stronger. Smoking & Alcohol You probably already know that excessive drinking and smoking has a very negative effect on your health. However, did you know that these activities impact your hair too? Smoke contains tons of toxic chemicals that slow down your blood circulation, which leads to the poor blood flow to your hair follicles. Alcohol makes your body use protein to reduce acidity, which means it takes away protein that helps your hair grow. Stress It’s not easy to control your stress levels always stay calm. it would be best if you tried to reduce stress in your life. Emotional stress and shocking events can ruin the hair growth cycle and lead to hair thinning and even loss. That’s why it’s vital to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and find activities that make you feel happy. “Some of the most damaging processes we can do to our hair are color processing, applying relaxers, and heat styling. All of these are chemical processes that can literally break the bonds in hair, resulting in split ends, broken-falling off ends of hair. Another huge mistake is conducting these processes on your own hair if you are not a licensed professional. Licensed professionals have the expertise on how to properly use products, and they have access to better quality products that you can find in the stores. There are certain products that you can use on your hair that will aid in preventative care. It is important to pay attention to your hair. If you are seeing excess damage, and you are doing any of these processes on the regular, these protective products will not reverse the damage done and you should lessen the frequency of these processes such as relaxing the hair or coloring.” Vanessa Thomas, Cosmetic Chemist & Founder of Freelance Formulations The Hair Care Routine That Will Become Your New Habit Now that you know what it takes to have healthy and shiny hair that can take a breath away, here are a few simple guidelines you can follow to perfect your hair care routine: 1. Brush Your Hair Before Washing Your hair is much weaker when wet. To avoid brushing or combing wet hair, try doing it before you wash your hair. This habit will help you prevent hair damage and eliminate painful feelings while detangling it. If you must brush your hair when it’s still wet, start doing from the ends and part by part. 2. Avoid Hot Showers Scorching hot water doesn’t do any good to your hair, unfortunately. It can make your hair dry and make coloured hair duller. If you switch to taking lukewarm showers, both your hair and skin will be thankful. And if you’re ready to go the extra mile, you can try rinsing your hair with cold water at the end. 3. Get Some Added Support If you see that you cannot get enough vitamins and minerals from your current diet or simply want to improve it, make sure you take all the necessary vitamins your body needs. 4. Do Not Overheat Your Hair Try avoiding using blow dryers and other hot styling tools. The heat has a terrible effect on your hair and makes it more susceptible to breakage. So, if possible, let your hair air dry as much as possible to regain its natural strength and prevent it from becoming thinner and less radiant. If you need to use a blow dryer, keep it at a cooler setting and use heat protecting sprays. 5. Let Your Hair Relax Just like you, sometimes, your hair needs to have some off time. If you want to help your hair be healthier and look nicer, let it take a break from ponytails, braids, dying, and blow dryers. Let it be natural and relax from all the negative environmental effects. For example, next weekend might be a perfect time to put on that nice-smelling hair mask and give your hair a chance to dry by itself and regain its strength. “There are many ways in which meditation can help with your hair. Meditation reduces stress, increases circulation, and helps eliminate toxins, all of which can help with hair growth and health. Stress causes cortisol to increase. Cortisol causes hair to move out of the growth phase and into catagen, which can cause hair to fall out. Meditation reduces stress, and in turn, reduces cortisol, to prevent this problem. Meditation also increases blood flow to the scalp, which leads to more oxygen to nourishing hair cells, ultimately improving the physical appearance of hair. Meditation also improves breathing, which leads to increased secretion of toxins through sweating. The human body is designed to remove approximately 70% of toxins via the breath, so by improving the quality of our breathing meditation helps to remove toxins, which in turn reduces the risk of alopecia (bald spots) along with other hair related problems. I’d personally recommend adding twenty minutes of gentle breathing meditation to your daily practice to help your hair to stay healthy.” Paul Harrison, Meditation Teacher and Creator of The Daily Meditation Check out our NutraColl Beauty Collagen . Collagen and beauty is a pairing you’ll love!
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Collagen & Anti-Aging: The Secret Is Hidden in a Protein Shake
If you’re over twenty-five years old, you’ve probably done some research about how to maintain your skin younger and slow down the aging process. And you might have noticed that when it comes to anti-aging, the buzzword “collagen” prevails the most. So, why do all the skincare and nutrition products rave about collagen? Is it really the answer for that glowing and elastic skin? Let’s dig deeper to discover more about this protein, and how it may help you stay young and beautiful. Aging and Collagen Production Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It consists of four fundamental amino acids: Proline, Glycine, Arginine, and Hydroxyproline. In fact, almost 70% of your skin is made up of collagen. That’s why it’s so vital in your anti-aging efforts. Since this connective protein consists mostly of non-essential amino acids, your body can produce then on its own if your diet is full of them. Yet, with age, this process becomes only slower. “The production of collagen is continuous, throughout our lifetime. In our 20’s production will slow down and that causes the skin to thin and wrinkles to appear. Illness, genetics, diet, emotions and environmental exposure can influence collagen loss.”Tsao-Lin E. Moy, L.Ac., MSOM, Integrative Healing Arts What age do you start losing collagen? Collagen production, aka collagen synthesis, decreases as early as your early twenties. It’s the main reason why you start noticing wrinkles on your skin, and why it becomes duller. That’s when high-quality collagen hydrolyzate comes in handy in your anti-aging diet. You can find it in powder and add it to your favourite protein shakes every morning. “ Collagen fibres break down or no longer regenerate, and lead to a “deflation” effect on the surface of the skin. After 30, our collagen levels start to drop by 1.5% per year. Research indicates that by the age of 40, the body’s ability to produce collagen decreases by 25%. By age 60, it has decreased by over 50%. Collagen contains different proteins that serve separate purposes within the body.”Trey Triplette, Certified Performance Nutritionist, 3natural Bionutrition® Collagen protein supplementation may help you keep your skin more elastic, hydrated, and reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles. What age should I take collagen? At the age of 21, your body’s collagen production declines, and the existing collagen starts breaking down. Just to compare, at the age of 60, your collagen levels will be twice as low as opposed to when you’re twenty-one years old. “Collagen is worth taking at any age really. Although you start losing it around 21 years old, and the benefits become more pronounced after 40, children naturally need more of it to support their growth. So you can take it later in life to make up for collagen loss, but taking it earlier in life to hedge against collagen loss later in life is also perfectly valid.”John Fawkes, Certified Nutrition Coach & Trainer at The Unwinder Collagen protein supplementation may help you keep your skin more elastic, hydrated, and reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles. It can also contribute to suppressing skin sun damage and photoaging. Can Collagen Reverse Aging? “The short answer to this is no. It cannot reverse aging, but studies show it can improve skin elasticity. It will not reverse wrinkles that you already have, as some people seem to think.”CJ Mallonee, MS Of course, no miracle cure can help you stop the aging process. Yet, there’re a few things you can do to slow down this process. Mainly, it’s all about maintaining a healthy balanced diet and having an active lifestyle. Introducing collagen into your diet can help you: Enhance skin elasticityCollagen improves skin’s resilience and hydrates it. According to this study, 91% of participants stated that they experienced fewer problems with dry skin after regular collagen supplementation. Reduce the appearance of wrinklesBeing one of the main proteins in our body, collagen is known for contributing to a younger and healthier look. Consuming enough collagen through supplementation may help you reduce the depths of wrinkles and their amount. Decrease cellulite and stretch marksEven though it’s nearly impossible to get rid of natural stretch marks and cellulite, collagen supplementation can help you reduce their appearance. It can boost skin’s thickness, longevity, and make it look naturally smooth, healthy, and radiant. The Best Collagen for Anti-Aging and How to Use It “Studies show that collagen can improve skin elasticity and bone density. Make sure to get collagen that is hydrolysed, as it is more easily absorbed by your body.”CJ Mallonee, MS If you’re looking for something to start with, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Beauty Collagen may be good additions to your diet. Our favourite way of consuming this superfood is adding collagen powder into a protein shake. Just mix a daily amount of collagen (1-2 scoops), and you’re already halfway through towards maintaining healthy and youthful skin for longer. “2018 study concluded that marine sourced collagen (type 2 collagen) might have the ability to reduce signs of aging by providing a protective role in the skin by improving the activity of antioxidants. There are at least 16 types of collagen, but it's estimated that 80 – 90 percent of the collagen in the body consists of types I, II, and III. Type II collagen has been shown to have the highest bioavailability (absorption) when ingested orally. With that being said, it’s able to be absorbed in a much higher rate than other collagens and will host the most benefits when it comes to our skin. Many type II collagens have been formulated into powders that one would mix with their drink of choice, the recommended dose is 11 grams per day.” Loren Richter, CEO/Founder at BlueBiology Here’s, for example, a delicious recipe of a Collagen Shake for all the coffee lovers out there: Ingredients: 1 cup cold brewed coffee 1 cup almond milk 1 ripe banana 2 tablespoons of Peptipro Collagen Hydrolysate powder 1-2 teaspoons of ground flax meal 1 teaspoon of raw honey 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder Ice cubes to serve (optional) Cacao powder or nibs to sprinkle (optional) Method: Place all the ingredients in a blender and blitz for a few seconds until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass over ice cubes and sprinkle with cacao nibs or powder. The coffee will naturally separate to the bottom if not drunk immediately. Stir to incorporate and enjoy! Plus, you can come up with so many variations of a protein shake that you’ll never get bored with your collagen routine. The Bottom Line As much as we want to stay young for as long as possible, it’s not how our bodies work. However, even if no magic can help us stay forever young, we can still maintain healthy and glowing skin. Always remember to consult your health care professional before introducing new items into your diet. * This article is for general information only and not intended to cure, diagnose or treat or recommend anything.
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Collagen & Beauty: A Pairing You’ll Love
The word “collagen” has been travelling around the internet for quite a while. Apart from being a widely-used buzzword in the beauty and lifestyle industry, collagen does play a critical role in your health and aesthetics. Our bodies naturally produce collagen; however, with age, this process slows down. Consequently, the need for this type of protein grows. That’s when collagen supplements may come in handy. Today, we’re taking a more in-depth look at how exactly collagen works, its effects on your skin, hair, nails, and whether it can be your loyal friend in the anti-aging battle. What is Beauty Collagen? Collagen is the most prevalent protein in the human body as it accounts for 75-80% of all protein in it. It helps your skin stay radiant, elastic, and strong. It also contributes to maintaining your hair, dental, joint, skeletal, and muscular health. This type of protein is usually found in the dermis, aka the middle layer of your skin. It boosts the growth of new skin cells to replace the dead skin cells and enable faster skin cell turnover. The best thing about it is that it’s re-absorbable. It means that collagen can be broken down and used to promote your body's natural collagen production processes. Here’s what might cause your body to produce less collagen: Low vitamin C intake: This vitamin is required to produce collagen. Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that might damage elastin and collagen in the skin. Sun: The UV rays can cause wrinkles, pigmentation, and dull skin. Sugar: High blood sugar can contribute to creating specific molecules that can ruin collagen proteins. Pollution: Exposure to environmental pollutants can create free radicals that negatively affect collagen by advancing protein oxidation. “Collagen is the most abundant protein source in your body and is a major component for the health of your skin, hair and nails, Collagen plays a vital role in keeping our skin elastic, hydrated, strong, and youthful. As we age, we naturally produce less collagen which leads to wrinkles and saggy skin, however including collagen in your diet, helps to improve the health of your skin, reversing or delaying the aging process.” Allison Thibault MS, RDN, LDN, CDN, Founder of VivaTotalHealth Does Beauty Collagen Work? Before you start experimenting with all the possible collagen beauty supplements and skincare products, you should know what will work best for you, and if it’ll work at all. Here are some interesting studies we came across: The first study showed that after 12 weeks of intaking collagen peptide supplements, 70 participants (women aged 40 to 60) had fewer wrinkles, more elastic and better-hydrated skin. Another study concluded that women who drank daily collagen drinks during the 12 weeks showed improvements in wrinkle depth and skin hydration. Also, one more study suggested that the intake of collagen peptides help your body stimulate natural collagen production. Of course, there’s a lot of room for research when it comes to the use of beauty collagen supplements and their impact on your physical health, the studies mentioned above prove that there’s hope. “Not only is collagen beneficial for our bone and skin health, but collagen also plays a role in our pelvic and digestive health. Collagen supplements can also renew and revitalize the way you look and feel. It can even cause wrinkles and other fine lines to minimize, as well as help prevent new ones from forming. A lot of my patients who supplement with collagen say they see their nails growing stronger and their hair growing in thicker and longer than ever before. Some have even reported that after supplementing collagen into their diet for about four to five months, they have seen a decrease in scars and scar tissue visibility.” Dr Anna Cabeca So, while scientists work on coming to a final verdict, don’t hesitate to introduce collagen into your diet and analyze the results yourself. Just remember that all bodies are different, and what could have made your friend’s nails stronger and skin smoother, might not necessarily work for you. Plus, it’s always better to consult with your health care professional before opting for any supplements in general. Collagen Beauty Benefits Can’t wait to get the dose of a collagen beauty boost? First, let’s see how your skin, hair, and nails can benefit from it. “Collagen is responsible for your skin’s firmness; the ability to bounce back. It will bring back your youthful glow while diminishing fine lines and dark circles. Your hair will once again have a healthy shine while your nails will grow strong as ever.” Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, MS, ND. Collagen Benefits for Skin Since the skin is the biggest organ, you probably want to keep it as smooth and plump as possible. Three proteins, keratin, collagen, and elastin, are responsible for your skin’s structure and strength. So, let’s see what the benefits of collagen for the skin you can leverage to reach that goal. Collagen can make your skin firmer and more elastic. Higher levels of collagen make your skin look more supple and reduce visible signs of aging. It can increase your skin’s hydration levels. Beauty collagen can help you reduce wrinkles and skin sagging. “Did you know studies prove collagen protein slows and reverses the signs of skin aging? These studies have shown adding collagen to your diet has the power to: - Repair skin while you sleep - Restore elasticity - Hydrate your skin - Get rid of sunspots, fine lines, and wrinkles - Heal eczema, acne, and other skin irritations In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, for example, women between the ages of 45 and 65 received either a collagen peptide supplement or a placebo for eight weeks. The results were nothing short of astonishing. At the end of the eight-week treatment period, the group taking collagen experienced an average 20.1% reduction in eye wrinkles when compared to the placebo group—and the maximum reduction observed was 49.9%! Four weeks after the treatment stopped, the collagen group still showed an average 11.5% reduction in wrinkles. In addition, at the end of the study, the researchers detected a 65% increase in procollagen (a building block of collagen) and an 18% increase in elastin. These are amazing results—better than anything you’ll get from even the most expensive wrinkle creams on the market. And they prove that adding collagen to your diet is a powerful way to get the younger, smoother skin you want.” Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, MS, ND. Collagen Benefits for Hair Dreaming of that silky and flawless hair? Good news is, you can have. Here’re some benefits of collagen supplements for hair that can make it strong and beautiful at the same time. “Your hair is primarily made up of keratin. Keratin is made up of a variety of amino acids, some of which can be found in collagen. With this in mind, collagen benefits hair by enhancing optimal keratin production for overall hair health. When keratin is being adequately produced it promotes hair growth and stronger hair follicles.” Adina Mahalli, Hair and Skincare Expert at Maple Holistics Collagen is potentially good for hair growth since it produces amino acids that can be beneficial for building keratin (a protein that your hair is made up of.) Beauty collagen can prevent your hair from becoming thin and breaking. Collagen for hair strengthens your dermis (a skin layer that contains the root of a hair follicle), maintains it healthy, and helps prevent age-related hair loss. Collagen can contribute to saving hair roots from damage. It provides antioxidants to fight free radicals and keep your hair healthy. Afraid of grey hairs? Again, thanks to its antioxidants, beauty collagen can protect your skin cells and prevent greying. Collagen Benefits for Nails The nail bed mainly consists of keratin and collagen proteins. So, is collagen good for nails? Let’s take a look at what it can do to make your nails better. Beauty collagen is high in the amino acid called arginine that can contribute to nail growth. Collagen protein powder can prevent your nail from chipping/cracking and strengthen them. Collagen stimulates fibroblast cells (typical cells of connective tissue) and, as a result, boosts nail collagen metabolism from the inside. Although there’s no universal agreement on how to measure the effectiveness of collagen supplements, some studies have shown that collagen may have a few benefits for your hair, skin, and nails.
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Seasonal Skin Care Tips
When you transition into a new season, changing your wardrobe isn’t the only thing you should be taking care of. Your skincare routine depends on weather no less than your choice of clothes. And if you want to avoid various weather change skin challenges, you need to choose a proper skincare regimen every winter, spring, summer, and autumn. With the winter kicking in, we decided to share a few seasonal skin care tips to help you keep your skin healthy and radiant no matter the weather. Read on to discover our tops picks. Why Is Seasonal Skin Care Important? What works for your skin in summer, might not work for it in winter, and vice versa. The weather change comes with different humidity levels. It means that in summer and spring the air is much hotter and humid, so your skin might be more oily and prone to breakouts. Whereas in autumn and winter, the air is drier, so your skin tends to be more dehydrated too. This obviously also depends on where you live, so keep that in mind. “Different seasons affect our skin because of the humidity, dryness, and change in temperature that the weather brings. You’ll notice your skin drying out during the winter, or your skin being more greasy and sweaty during the summertime. Some tips to combat this is to stick to a skin regime. This means washing your face every night and morning, using a cleanser, and applying lotion if needed. Supplementing some vitamin D is great for your skin too! Another random tip that has been helping my patients with cystic acne is to watch how long your showers are as well as the temperature you’re using. If you take long, hot showers, you might be damaging your skin.” Dr Robert Karsch of AICA Seasonal Skin Care Guide Autumn Skin Care: You’d want to use products that won’t dry your skin and help it rejuvenate after a hot and humid summer season. Winter Skin Care: Switch to more nourishing and gentle products that would help your skin survive cold temperatures and keep it well-hydrated. Spring Skin Care: You’d want to focus on products that can help you restore your skin’s radiance and get rid of dullness after a harsh winter. Summer Skin Care: Focus on skincare products that can help your skin stay clean and matte. You’d also want to choose lightweight moisturizers to avoid oil buildup and acne. “SPRING & SUMMER The vitamins you should have on hand (with the approval of a healthcare professional) are: Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen and is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E rids the body of impurities but most importantly protects from sun damage. Vitamin A helps the skin repair from sun damage and reduces the risk of skin cancers. AUTUMN & WINTER These vitamins should be used during the cooler months (with the approval of a healthcare provider): Vitamin B may prevent a vitamin B deficiency that causes flaky, dry skin and lips. Vitamin D helps in the prevention of premature aging, helps heal your dry skin this time of year. Omega 3 helps retain moisture and healthy oils, keeping you hydrated during the colder weather.” Stephanie Ivonne, Licensed Esthetician, Smart Style Today Top 7 Skin Care Tips for All Seasons If you want your skin to survive heat and cold without severe damages, you’ll need to stick to a specific regimen that suits your skin the best. Here are some seasonal skin care tips that may help you keep your skin flawless any time of the year. “Tips for seasonal skincare are going to be dependant on the individual. You must first observe the changes that your skin goes through during the seasons. Once you have observed the issues and changes in your skin, you can build a routine around the seasons. Generally, the air in the winter holds less water, which leads most people to have dry skin. To alleviate this, you will want to use a more gentle cleanser. Exfoliating is great for removing dry, dead skin cells, but too much of this during any season can irritate the skin, especially during the winter when skin may be more sensitive. Using a moisturiser with humectants and occlusives is best. Occlusives help to create a film over the skin to hold the moisture in, and humectants (hyaluronic acid is an example of one) help to attract water to the skin.” Vanessa Thomas, Cosmetic Chemist & Founder of Freelance Formulations 1. Cleanse Regularly Cleansing should be one of the key steps of your skincare routine. A cleanser can help you get rid of extra oil, grease, and bacteria stuck on your face and body. Yet, your choice of cleanser will depend on the time of the year. Once autumn/winter comes, you’d want to choose a more creamy and hydrating cleansing formula for your skin. However, when you transition towards spring/summer, it’s time to go for a lighter cleanser in the form of a gel or foam. 2. Remember to Hydrate “Hydrate with water – half your body weight in ounces and good fats such as avocado, raw nuts such as pecans and almonds, raw oils such as olive or sesame keep the skin moist and diminish wrinkles from within. Sleeping 8 hours is a beauty secret!” Renee Ascencio, CEO, Natural Healing Center Drinking a few litres of water per day helps your body stay hydrated as well as makes your skin look healthier. However, if you wish to give your skin an extra hydration boost, you might want to consider serums. When you’re shopping for a hydrating serum, look for such ingredients as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. They can become your number one skincare friends, especially during the colder months. P.S. It’s better to apply serums before lotions and heavier creams. 3. Always Moisturise Whether it’s a hot summer day or freezing winter morning, you need to moisturise your skin in both cases, but a little bit differently. For spring and summer times, choose a gel-based or lightweight cream/lotion that won’t clog your pores and let your skin breathe. When you jump into autumn and winter, you can switch to rich cream formulas that would protect your skin from cold temperatures and dry air. 4. Keep Your SPF Handy If you want your skin to look young for as long as possible, you should use a cream with SPF every single day. You can even put a reminder to do so every time you go outside even if it’s a cold winter day. “It’s important to remember that just because you can’t physically see the sun doesn’t mean it’s not there. Whether it’s hot or cold, sunny or cloudy, you should be wearing a moisturiser that contains SPF protection This ensures that your skin is protected no matter the weather.” Adina Mahalli, Hair & Skincare Expert at Maple Holistics Unfortunately, many people forget how critical to use sunscreen to protect the skin from ageing, wrinkles, and skin-related diseases. SPF moisturiser is seasonless, so stock up on yours and remember to reapply it every 2-3 hours if you don’t want to get those pesky wrinkles ahead of time. 5. Exfoliate During colder seasons, your skin is more prone to dryness and needs to be moisturised better. That’s when exfoliation comes in handy. It helps you remove the top layer of dead skin cells and lets moisturisers work more effectively. So, if you strive to have soft and silky “summer” skin in winter, take your time to choose the right exfoliator for your skin type. 6. Monitor Your Food Based Vitamin Intake Each season offers a lot of different fruit and vegetables full of vital vitamins, and you should most definitely take advantage of that. “Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, so it helps to combat free radicals. Vitamin E is important if you are exposed to UV rays because UV rays can reduce Vitamin E levels in the skin. Niacin or Vitamin B3 is also effective in protecting skin from sun damage. Another important vitamin for skin health is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an integral role in skin barrier function, moisture, and skin cell growth. Vitamin D has been shown to improve symptoms such as dry skin.” Vanessa Thomas, Cosmetic Chemist & Founder of Freelance Formulations “Vitamin D is very good for the skin. So, in the colder or shadier months of the year, having this vitamin is really beneficial as you are still getting those nutrients you would get from the sun. If you eat lighter meals in the summer and spring, Vitamin A is found in heartier meals, so perfect for when you need the nutrients but aren't having those roast dinners anymore.” Dr.Giuseppe Aragona, General Practitioner & Family Doctor at Prescription Doctor M.D. 7. Sleep Well There are tons of beauty products you can use to maintain your skin smooth and radiant. Yet, one of the best things you can do for it is to have sufficient sleep and avoid stress. A healthy and balanced lifestyle should be your number one priority if you want to have a beautiful complexion and prevent premature signs of aging. Final Words Taking care of your skin is a year-round job that you should adjust accordingly. There are quite a few environmental factors that can affect your skin during the transition between seasons, and you have to account for them when creating your skincare routine. In a nutshell, no matter the weather, always stick to these skin care tips: moisturise, exfoliate, and use sunscreen. Invest in quality products; your skin will thank you later. Also, do not forget to maintain a healthy diet, supply your body with vitamins, and have a good night’s sleep. If you have severe skin problems or not sure what products to choose, always consult your dermatologist first.
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How Does Collagen Help Skin?
Benefits of Collagen for Radiant Skin
It’s commonly known amongst the health and wellness community that collagen supplements can be extremely beneficial for improving the quality of our hair, nails and skin. But with so much conversation around the topic, and so many different types of collagen on the market, it can be challenging to find the best type to target your specific concern. Not all collagen is created equal. Here, we’ll help break down the relationship between collagen and skin health, and the benefits collagen can have for radiant skin. What’s the relationship between collagen and skin? Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that makes up approximately 30% of the total proteins in our bodies. It’s also the protein that makes up the majority of our skin - around 80%. Collagen is what gives our skin its elasticity, bounce and firmness, which translates to keeping us looking healthy, fresh-faced and youthful. This powerful protein is essentially various amino acids, vitamins and minerals working in tandem, and as such there are many different types of natural collagen found within the human body. Collagen is constantly lost and replenished within the body. When we’re young, our bodies produce more collagen than is lost. However, as we grow older, our levels begin dropping at a rate quicker than our bodies can reproduce. When this happens, our skin becomes less thick, and less elastic. Wrinkles begin to form, photo ageing caused by sunlight exposure occurs, and small blood vessels can appear near the surface of the skin. While these changes are a natural result of the ageing process, they can also be exacerbated by environmental factors (stress, for example), sunlight exposure, hormones and nutrition. The most visible changes are localised in the dermis – and, they’re caused by the metabolism of dermal collagen fibres. How does collagen degrade as you age? While many of us think of ‘ageing’ as something that starts happening around our 40s or 50s, natural collagen levels actually start falling as early as our mid-twenties, where we begin to see decreases of about one percent per year. This slow decline continues until menopause, during which period most women experience a loss of approximately 30% of their collagen stores. When our bodies are no longer producing the necessary amount of collagen, we begin to see the skin become thinner, drier and less firm. This is also when we begin to see wrinkles, weaker bones and joints and decreased muscle function. In order to counteract these effects, it’s possible to incorporate effective collagen supplements into your diet that provides the type of collagen your body might need. While there are at least 28 types of collagen that are well-recognised and understood within the body, Type I collagen is the one most present in skin. Therefore, if healthy, radiant skin is your concern, Type I collagen supplements are the best collagen for skin to help support skin health and reduce signs of ageing. What are the benefits of collagen on the skin? So we know that collagen can improve the quality of the skin, but what are the specific benefits you can expect to see when incorporating supplemental collagen for skin? Collagen improves skin hydration Certain types of collagen, such as our Peptipro Hydrolysed Collagen Powder, contain high levels of hydroxyproline. Hydroxyproline is an amino acid that helps to smooth the surface of the skin, as well as increase the hydration levels of the skin. In the results of a German clinical study, it was found that taking collagen peptides resulted in a 28% increase in skin hydration and skin elasticity. Additionally, even four weeks after stopping the use of the collagen supplements, the participants still experienced increased skin hydration. Collagen can reduce the appearance of wrinkles Because of the increased hydration that collagen skin care supplements can provide, many people notice reduced appearance of wrinkles. This is because the added moisture helps to plump up, smooth and fill in lines on the skin. Therefore, it may be beneficial to pair your topical anti-aging skincare products with a peptide collagen to help support glowing, younger looking skin from both the inside and outside. For an alternative to cattle collagen, try our Original Marine Collagen for is the ideal addition to your daily wellness routine in supporting healthy skin, hair and nails. Collagen improves skin elasticity Studies show that taking oral collagen supplements over the course of several months slows down signs of ageing and improves skin elasticity and firmness. Specifically, collagen powder supplements including Type I collagen are the best choice for those looking to improve the skin elasticity. This is because Type I collagen is made up of eosinophilic fibres that form the skin and give it its stretchy, elastic quality. Effects on collagen on cellulite Cellulite occurs when connective tissues become misshapen due to fat pushing through, causing a change in the texture and appearance of the skin. It mostly occurs on the hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms and is more prevalent in women. Collagen can help improve the appearance of cellulite as it strengthens these connective tissues, hydrates and improves the elasticity of the skin from within. Collagen’s effect on skin healing Using collagen for better skin doesn’t only apply to anti-ageing and aesthetic uses. In fact, collagen can be particularly useful for skin healing. Because collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and is responsible for skin resistance and structure, studies have shown it can help to promote faster skin healing. This is why it’s often prescribed by aestheticians and skin therapists as the part of the aftercare following skin-needling or skin-resurfacing treatments. Science-backed benefits of collagen Several groups of researchers have also studied the influence of collagen capsules and collagen powder on skin physiology in recent years. One of the most impressive findings came from a double-blind, placebo-controlled and ‘statistically significant’ study of 69 women, aged between 35 and 55, who took either collagen powder or a placebo, once a day. The tablet contained 2.5 g of hydrolyzed collagen peptides. The women who took the collagen powder reported up to 15% higher skin elasticity. Specifically, the collagen tablet helped to: Improve skin elasticity – resulting in noticeably firmer and smoother skin Improve the appearance of wrinkles – resulting in fewer wrinkles The effect was measured as soon as 4 weeks after the women started taking the tablet, and the positive results remained another 4 weeks after the women stopped taking it. Another study of more than 100 women aged around 55 demonstrated wrinkle reduction after 4 weeks of treatment. In this study, the researchers also noted elevated levels of skin procollagen concentration. Benefits Using Collagen-Infused Skincare Collagen supplements are not just exclusive to consumable powders either. There is also a wide range of topical collagen peptides products that can be included in your daily routine to help boost your body’s natural collagen synthesis. Collagen peptides are becoming a highly sought after ingredient in skincare, with many of the biggest names in the beauty and skincare industry adding collagen-infused products to their ranges. While traditional skin care focuses primarily on the exterior, beauty products like moisturisers and serums that contain collagen peptides actively work to support our bodies’ internal structures that facilitate natural collagen production. Two birds, one stone. Adding collagen-infused skincare products to your morning and evening routines can be a great way of not only protecting and supporting your skin, but also have the added benefits of anti-ageing, skin elasticity and hydration. Gelpro has an entire range dedicated to collagen-infused skincare, including Vitamin C Serums, Moisturisers, Night Creams and Face Masks. How to introduce hydrolysed collagen into your diet Hydrolysed collagen powder contains a unique profile of 18 different amino acids, including eight of the nine essential amino acids. With just one scoop per day, you’re providing your body with a range of nutritional value as well as 15 grams of protein, without any added fat, carbs or sugar. The Original Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder by Gelpro Australia is flavourless and harmoniously dissolves in water at any temperature, so it’s easy to incorporate in any way you choose! For a quick and easy way to get your collagen in, mix it with water, juice or your drink of choice. For a refreshing beverage try our Marine Collagen and Butterfly Pea blend, containing blackcurrant and grapefruit flavours. Or try natural flavours of lychee and mixed berry with our Marine Collagen and Dragonfruit powder. The Hyaluronic Acid and Kakadu Plum Collagen Powder from nutracoll is also easily dissolvable in water, with the added benefits of vitamin C and skin-loving ingredients that promote collagen synthesis. Incorporating collagen for skin health into your daily diet has never been easier with Gelpro Australia. Discover our other wellness products, including gelatins, wholefood capsules, and holistic collagen peptide infused skincare.
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