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There might be a ton of trending and buzzy skincare ingredients rn like peptides or bakuchiol, but there are just some classics that can't be beaten. Case in point: Collagen. You'll often see this ingredient if one of your skincare goals is to have a bouncy, plump, and youthful-looking complexion.
Collagen is available in many forms—from skincare creams and liquids to supplements and even injections (!)—which can make it kinda overwhelming to pick your poison, especially since the Asian market is v saturated with this ingredient.
If you wanna know more about this OG skincare ingredient or you're thinking of incorporating it into your routine, we gotchu. Below, we'll give you the 411 on everything you need to know about it, including what it actually is, its benefits, and the best collagen-infused products to add to your cart rn. Keep on scrolling to get schooled:
What is collagen?
Think of collagen as the scaffolding of your skin. It's the most abundant protein in our bodies—accounting for 30% of our skin—and is responsible for providing structure and support to our muscles, bones, and connective tissues.
Our bodies naturally produce collagen, but this decreases as we get older, starting in our mid- to late 20s. Certain habits like smoking and constant sun exposure without proper protection can also contribute to this decline, which then leads to sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles in the long run. Thankfully, there are a ton of collagen-infused products like skincare and supplements we can use to combat these problems and keep our skin in tip-top shape. (P.S. You can also increase your intake of collagen-rich foods like berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, fish, nuts, and more to further help your skincare and supplements.)
What are the benefits of collagen for the skin?
Before we get into the best collagen-infused products to incorporate into your routine, let's take a quick look at the benefits of collagen for the skin:
- Improve skin elasticity: By introducing collagen into your routine (whether topically or orally), you can boost your skin's elasticity and firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Smooth out uneven skin: Skincare products with collagen as their main ingredients help in smoothening out uneven skin tone and texture, which further minimizes the appearance of fine lines.
- Hydrate the skin: Collagen has excellent water-binding properties, making it a great addition to the routines of people with dry skin.
SHOP: The best collagen-infused products to try
Ready to incorporate collagen into your routine? Here are the best collagen-infused products—both skincare and supplements—to add to your cart rn:
Senka Perfect Whip Collagen Cleanser
If you find Senka's OG cleanser to be too drying on your skin, then you'll like the collagen version. Aside from its star ingredients, it's also infused with 60% Beauty Serum that improves skin elasticity and Shiseido's moisture-boosting Aqua-In-Pool ingredient that protects and reinforces the skin barrier.
Senka Perfect Whip Collagen Cleanser, P309, Shopee and Lazada
Mediheal Collagen Firming Toner Pad
Ngl, we're obsessed with toner pads—they're an easy, lazy girl-friendly way to get your skincare fix without having to do a lot of steps! This variant from Mediheal, in particular, is loaded with collagen, ceramides, and milk protein that work together to nourish and tighten the appearance of the skin.
Mediheal Collagen Firming Toner Pad, P890, Shopee
READ MORE: Everything To Know About The Mediheal Toner Pads (And Why Everyone's Obsessed With Them)
Pixi Collagen Tonic
If you're looking for a toner that's ROI in a bottle, then go ahead and add this one from Pixi to your cart real quick. Aside from collagen to help plump up your complexion, this toner is also loaded with a combination of peptides and coconut water for hydrating the skin and sea salt to prevent moisture loss.
Pixi Collagen Tonic, P1,100, Sephora.ph
St. Ives Renewing Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer
Dry skin girlies, this might just be your newest HG. This moisturizer from St. Ives contains a combination of collagen, elastin, and safflower seed oil that work together to plump up the skin and get rid of dry patches in the process. Plus, it's a big AF tub, which means one purchase can last you for mooonths!
St. Ives Collagen & Elastin Renewing Moisturizer, P477, Shopee and Lazada
Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Anti Aging Moisturizer
If you have a bit more money to spare, then you might want to try adding this moisturizer from Olay to your cart on the next payday sale. What sets this moisturizer apart from its competitors is that it contains Collagen Peptide 24—their special concoction that has smaller molecules that help it penetrate the skin better. The result? A complexion that's instantly plumper and visibly firmer.
Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Anti Aging Moisturizer, P2,207, Shopee and Lazada
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask
Do you feel your skin just going through it sometimes? Bring it back to life with this sleeping mask from Laneige. It contains a Peony & Collagen Complex ™ that helps to bring back the glow and bounce to your skin, along with Hydro-Melt Glow Capsules in the cream that melt upon contact and form a protective barrier on your skin to help retain moisture.
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask, P1,950, Lazada
Belo Nutraceuticals Collagen Melon Smoothie
To speed up the process of your journey to clear, glowy AF skin, you can also choose to include food supplements alongside your usage of topical products. These melon-flavored collagen sachets from Belo contain "high-absorption marine collagen" that can help you have the plump, glowing complexion of your dreams. (Read our review of this supplement here!)
Belo Nutraceuticals Collagen Melon Smoothie, P1,600, Shopee and Lazada
DHC Collagen
Another supplement you can add to your list is this one from Japanese brand DHC—it's considered a must-buy by beauty girls whenever they're in the Land of the Rising Sun, and for good reason, too. It imparts a certain glow onto the complexion with continued use, plus it also helps moisturize the usual dry areas of the body like the elbows, knees, and legs.
DHC Collagen Supplements (120 Tablets), P375, Shopee and Lazada
READ MORE: Why Is Everyone Crazy About This Japanese Collagen Supplement? An Investigation
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