The right skin-care ingredients can help with collagen loss. Our collagen production may naturally start to decrease in our mid-to-late 20s, explains Morgan Rabach, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Rabach Aesthetics. When you add in air pollution, sun exposure, inflammation, stress, poor sleep, and other external factors that we might face, that’s when collagen really weakens, and you’ll start to notice those first signs of aging (e.g., fine lines, sagging skin, etc.). If you’re not facing severe skin laxity that requires the more intense skin firming treatments, topical products will be your first line of defense.
“Using ingredients that support collagen improves skin quality over time,” says Dr. Rabach. “Supporting collagen will help improve hydration retention, skin texture, and firmness, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.”
New York City board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, agrees and says these ingredients help protect the collagen in our skin and create an environment where it functions better. “They may reduce collagen breakdown caused by free radicals or inflammation, improve hydration and barrier health, support the skin matrix around collagen fibers, and help optimize skin repair processes,” Dr. King explains.
So if you’re looking for a skin-care routine that’s more collagen focused, these are the eight best ingredients to look out for:
Retinoids
Retinoids are among the best ingredients for supporting collagen, according to experts. As Dr. Rabach explains it, they stimulate collagen production, speed up cell turnover, and improve our skin’s thickness over time. They also reduce the activity of enzymes known to degrade collagen as we get older. She says you can look to prescription retinoid options such as tretinoin and tazarotene, but recommends specifically looking for retinoids like retinol or adapalene.
For over-the-counter products, some retinoid options we love include Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 1 Serum or the A313 Vitamin A Pomade. Dr. King recommends something like Mother Science’s Retinol Synergist for sensitive skin. Retinoids are powerful ingredients known to cause irritation, redness, and increased sun sensitivity, so experts recommend using caution when incorporating them into your routine. Dr. King says you can turn to gentler products that include hydrating ingredients to offset harsh reactions or look to ingredients such as bakuchiol, which offers retinol-like collagen-supportive benefits with less irritation.