What Is Skin Collagen?

Short Answer: A fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, and other connective tissues.

The main structural component of the lower layer of the skin (Dermis) is a protein called collagen. Bundles of collagen molecules pack together throughout the dermis, accounting for three-fourths of the dry weight of skin. Collagen is also responsible for the skins strength. Collagen is produced by cells called fibroblasts, which are found scattered throughout the dermis.

Collagen is a connective tissue and is the cement that holds everything together-the primary mortar between the bricks of all of our smooth muscle tissues such as blood vessels, digestive tract, heart, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder, to mention just a few. Collagen, along with elastin, is a key structural component of bones, cartilage, tendons, the skin, lung tissue and blood vessels. Collagen provides structure and firmness to body tissues, while elastin provides flexibility to those same tissues.

As aging occurs, cellular proteins hook together or change shape. These changes keep the proteins from doing their jobs properly resulting in a loss of collagen and less firmness to body tissues. This process eventually leads to wrinkles. Thus, one important target of wrinkle prevention and elimination regimen is to reduce collagen breakdown and increase its supply. This task is achievable but you have to go about it in the right way.

Everyday your skin is exposed to environmental elements such as sunlight and air pollution. These elements cause free radicals to form in the skin, which attacks the collagen layer. This process prematurely ages and damages skin, resulting in everything from fine lines and wrinkles to loss of elasticity and hyperpigmentation. This process is known as photo-aging.

First, vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen , a key structural protein of the skin. Adding vitamin C to a culture of skin cells (fibroblasts) dramatically increases the synthesis of collagen. Secondly, vitamin C is an antioxidant and can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. So, when vitamin C is properly delivered to skin cells, there is a good chance to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture. Action C products provide anti-oxidant protection from environmental damage.

Using face creams with vitamin C and Collagen will stimulate skin cells to produce collagen and can partly reverse this process. Stimulating collagen synthesis in aged skin was shown to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture.

Please keep in mind that taking large amounts of vitamin C orally is of little benefit for reducing wrinkles because you cannot orally obtain high enough concentration of vitamin C in the skin to notably increase collagen production.

Action C skincare is an exclusive 25% Vitamin C based skincare system, containing Aceromine, a natural Vitamin C derived from the Acerola fruit. Acerola is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C in the world. In addition, Acerola contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Niacin, Beta Carotene and minerals. All five products are non-abrasive and gently exfolliate to peel away dead skin cells, revealing a new and more beautiful complexion. Continued use of Action C products will improve the overall health and appearance of your skin, not only now, but also long into the future.

Colos Cream Egalisante (Collagen Cream) contains vegetable collagen from the leaves and fruits of the Australian Acacia Tree. Beware of products that contain native collagen as these are animal derivatives.

Action C and Colos Collagen Cream are available at http://www.Make-UpUSA.com

CREDIT BYLINE: Article written by Katrina VanDoran, Editor of Make-up USA Newsletter: http://www.make-upusa.com. Ms. VanDoran is a top makeup artist using Bren Cosmetics and Colos Cosmetics and Skin Care products exclusively.

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