Collagen’s reputation for plumping out fine lines has given it almost mythical status in anti-ageing circles – which is why it’s found in everything from beauty treatments and health supplements to high-performance skincare – including Antipodes’ natural skincare products. While it may not turn back the numbers on your driver’s licence, collagen does support the skin to look its healthy, youthful, energetic best.
Read on for your guide to the best collagen-boosting skincare products – that actually do what they say they do.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the main structural protein in skin, providing it with strength and elasticity. When we’re young, we have collagen in abundance, which is why our skin looks plump, healthy, and line-free. As we age, the amount of collagen produced by our body naturally decreases, leading to a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin. Wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin are all the result of depleted collagen levels.
There are different types of collagen. Type I is the most abundant and the main protein in our connective tissue. A natural skincare routine aimed at supporting Type I collagen levels is your most effective way to retain your youthful complexion.
How can skincare boost collagen?
While powders and supplements may claim to target collagen levels from the inside, only your skincare can tackle it from the top: your epidermis, or the top layer of your skin. Your skin absorbs much of what you put on it, which is why it’s critical to invest in natural, scientific, vegan and organic skincare that is rich in nutrients, yet free from nasties.
What is the best way to know if a product works?
Quality is key when it comes to collagen-boosting skincare. The easiest way to determine whether a product could support your skin’s natural collagen function is to check whether it has been scientifically tested in-vitro. Proof of this validation should be clearly displayed on the label.
What is in-vitro testing?
In simple terms, in-vitro refers to a test in a lab; as opposed to clinical trials, which are tested on living human subjects. Because an in-vitro test is performed in a laboratory environment, it is subject to specific methods and controls, which means the results are reliable and objective.
From the very beginning, Antipodes founder and CEO, Elizabeth Barbalich, has championed in-vitro testing as the gold standard.
How do in-vitro tests work?
The goal of an in-vitro investigation is to measure how well fibroblast skin cells (the cells that produce Type I collagen) stimulate, or synthesise, collagen. The cells are grown in petri dishes, and the skincare product – usually a cream or serum – is applied to them directly. The higher the percentage of collagen synthesis, the more effective a product is at helping to boost collagen in skin.
What makes in-vitro the gold standard of testing?
In-vitro testing is subject to strict scientific methods. Trials are performed by an independent private laboratory, which conducts a blind study. As the scientists are not given the names of the products, the results are objective – and there are no human variables to influence the results.
So what are the best scientifically validated products for reducing fine lines and keeping skin plumped and youthful?
Four of the best collagen-boosting skincare products
Antipodes® Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream 60ml
Shown to stimulate Type I collagen synthesis by up to 92%
Meet the most powerful natural night cream to support collagen function. This certified vegetarian avocado face cream contains New Zealand manuka honey – a natural humectant which draws moisture into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated. Meanwhile, the skin benefits avocado oil provides are numerous. It contains a substance called sterolin, which can trigger the production of collagen.
