Why Collagen May be the Missing Piece in Your Skincare Routine?
- Lia Carle
- Jan 22
- 4 min read
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When I first heard about collagen, I’ll be honest—I thought it was just another beauty buzzword. It seemed like every skincare brand was throwing the word around, and I wasn’t sure if it was something I actually needed or just a passing trend. As someone who cares deeply about natural, non-toxic skincare (and as the owner of Lineage Natural Cosmetics), I knew I couldn’t just take the marketing hype at face value. So, I did what I always do: I dove headfirst into research.
I spent hours reading studies, learning how collagen works in the body, and figuring out why it’s so important for our skin, especially as we age. What I found blew me away, and it completely changed how I view skincare and aging.
So, grab a bone broth latte, settle in, and let’s delve deep into the world of collagen!
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up about 75-80% of the skin’s structure. It acts as the “scaffolding” that keeps your skin firm, smooth, and elastic. It’s also vital for hair, nails, muscles, bones, and connective tissues.
In skincare, collagen is known as the secret to youthful, glowing skin. But here’s the kicker: starting in your mid-20s, your body begins producing 1-1.5% less collagen per year, leading to the visible signs of aging. By the time you’re in your 40s, your collagen production has dropped significantly, contributing to wrinkles, dryness, and sagging.
Why Does Collagen Break Down as We Age?
The decline in collagen production is a natural part of aging, but several factors accelerate this process:
1. Intrinsic Aging: As we age, the fibroblast cells responsible for producing collagen slow down. This leads to thinner, less elastic skin.
2. Sun Exposure: UV radiation damages collagen fibers and hinders collagen synthesis. This is one of the main causes of premature aging.
3. Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive sugar consumption, and chronic stress etc, can degrade collagen production over time.
4. Hormonal Changes: For women, menopause often leads to a significant drop in collagen levels, further contributing to skin thinning and dryness.
Studies show that by the age of 50, the body has lost approximately 30% of its collagen content, which underscores the importance of replenishing it through diet, supplements, and skincare.
How Collagen Supports Skin Health
Collagen works behind the scenes to keep your skin firm, hydrated, and smooth. Here’s how:
• Improving Elasticity: Collagen provides structure to the dermis, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Boosting Hydration: It attracts and retains moisture, giving your skin that coveted plump, dewy glow.
• Supporting Repair: Collagen strengthens the skin’s barrier and promotes healing, making it especially beneficial for sensitive or damaged skin.
Research has shown that daily collagen supplementation can improve skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal density within 8–12 weeks. (Study: Journal of Dermatology)
How to Replenish Collagen Naturally
1. Collagen Supplements
The most effective way to replenish collagen is through hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are broken down into smaller, more easily absorbed amino acids. Look for products that are:
• Grass-fed and pasture-raised (bovine)
• Wild-caught (marine collagen, which is especially beneficial for skin)
• Free of additives, GMOs, and artificial ingredients
2. Collagen-Boosting Foods
Eating collagen-rich and collagen-boosting foods can support your skin naturally:
• Bone Broth: Rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals.
• Eggs: High in proline, an essential amino acid for collagen production.
• Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, and berries help boost natural collagen synthesis.
• Zinc and Copper: Found in nuts, seeds, and shellfish, these minerals are crucial for collagen formation.
3. Tallow-Based Skincare
While collagen itself cannot penetrate the skin due to its large molecular size, products like our Tallow Sun Balm at Lineage Natural Cosmetics can create the perfect environment for collagen production. Tallow closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, delivering fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K to nourish and protect the skin barrier.
My Go-To Collagen Recommendations
If you’re ready to add collagen to your routine, here are a few natural, eco-friendly options that align with Lineage’s values of sustainability and purity:
• Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen.
• Free from additives and GMOs.
• Supports hair, skin, nail, bone, and joint health.
• Available in unflavored and flavored options.
• Hydrolyzed for better absorption.
• Includes probiotics for digestion support.
• Non-GMO, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.
• Supports skin elasticity, strong nails, and healthy hair.
• Features five types of collagen (bovine, marine, chicken, and eggshell membrane) for full-spectrum benefits.
• Made from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen.
• Free from soy, gluten, and dairy.
• Paleo and Keto-friendly.
• Supports hair, skin, nail, and joint health.
Final Thoughts
Collagen has been such a game-changer for me, and I love how it pairs so perfectly with the tallow-based products we create at Lineage. It’s about taking care of your skin in a way that feels natural, sustainable, and effective—because you deserve that.
If you’ve been curious about collagen, I hope this helped you understand how it can work for you. It’s been an incredible addition to my routine, and I think you’ll love the results too.
Here’s to glowing, healthy skin—inside and out.
Love, Lia
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