Have you heard the term “collagen banking”? It’s popping up a lot lately on social media and you might be wondering what exactly it is and if you should start doing it. We’re here to explain what it means to “bank” collagen and why this strategy is 100% a good investment for your skin, no matter what your age or skin type.
What is collagen banking?
Collagen banking may be a new term, but the idea is tried-and-true: Preserve collagen now for younger-looking skin in the future. Before we get into how you can do it, let’s do a super-quick refresher on what collagen is (and why it’s so important to your skin). In a nutshell, collagen is a protein that serves as a “building block” for your skin (as well as your muscles, bones and other connective tissue). As the Cleveland Clinic explains, collagen’s job is to provides “structure, strength and support.” It helps new skin cells grow, plays an important role in cellular turnover, and generally keeps your skin firm, bouncy and youthful looking.
When we’re young, our body’s collagen production process works like a charm. But as we age, collagen production slows downs—leading to skin changes like rough texture, loss of elasticity and sagging. “It starts to decrease by about one percent a year and accelerates during menopause due to hormonal changes,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu tells our friends at Marie Claire magazine.
There’s no reason to panic, though. You can start collagen banking at any age to support your skin. More good news? You can do many of these (easy) strategies at home.
How do I start collagen banking?
We rounded up 5 simple ways to help you start banking collagen and achieve smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin.
1. Exfoliate regularly
Regular exfoliation stimulates cellular turnover, which is key to supporting collagen synthesis. LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning is a dermatologist-approved method of exfoliation that also removes pesky peach fuzz, so you’re getting skin instant glow and long-term skin improvement. After just 4 weeks of using the device every week, 100% of our test subjects said their skin looked younger.
2. Use collagen-supporting skincare
Apply a serum that’s formulated with ingredients to support collagen production twice a day. What ingredients support collagen? Niacinamide is a superstar ingredient that evens out skin tone, supports a healthy skin carrier and also helps inhibit a process called “glycation,” which causes collagen to degrade. Peptides also help stimulate collagen production and give skin a smoother, firmer, plumper look.
3. Consider supplements
Research shows that collagen supplements may help improve skin’s firmness + elasticity. “I add a scoop of collagen powder to my morning coffee, and I do think it’s made a subtle improvement in my skin’s firmness,” says our DF copywriter, Stephanie. A brand we love: Further Foods, which offer bovine, marine and plant-based forms of collagen, so you can choose what’s best for you.
4. Don’t skip SPF
We know, we know, we’re like a broken record with this. But continued exposure to damaging UV rays degrades collagen, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture and dark spots. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day, and take extra caution on beach days with wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and UV protective clothing
5. Stop “inflammaging"
“Inflammaging” is the process by which chronic inflammation causes collagen loss and leads premature aging of your skin. What causes inflammation in your body? Constant stress, UV damage, and a diet high in sugary ultra-processed foods are all top contributors. We know it’s hard to manage stress, but even small daily stress-relievers like deep breathing or taking a 5-minute walk can help. As far as UV damage, you know what to do (see tip 4)! And taking steps to reduce your consumption of highly processed foods isn’t just good for your skin, it’s good for your overall health.
