When one talks about skin health and skincare it’s almost impossible to omit talking about collagen, especially for the over 50s and beyond. I have spoken about collagen in a previous post, but just to brush up on our science, what you need to know is that it is a protein made up of non-essential amino acids, it can be made in the body by the food you ingest, provided you eat in a balanced way and that it is responsible for skin elasticity.
It provides structural support in the connective tissues and muscles and the bad news is that by age 45, the body has lost around 30% of total collagen supply. So by 50 you’re &#*%ed. Plumpness in the skin is out, enter wrinkles. As well as joint pain, muscle pain, neck pain- all due to essential hormones also departing. Unless…
In terms of skincare, there are many collagen inducing treatments that are wonderful- a recommended aesthetic doctor would advise you on what would be beneficial to your particular needs. But what I’m addressing today, is your wellbeing- your whole physical status and what makes you feel really good. We need to have a holistic approach to ageing well; what’s the point of having lovely skin but feeling sore and creaky when you get out of bed?
So, as one would take a supplement if your iron level is low, I have been taking hydrolysed collagen to replace mine- as it left me high and dry. It’s been over 2 years since I started, so that’s a pretty long time for me to be testing it out. I can honestly say that not only do I sleep like a child (babies don’t sleep) but I have no aches in my joints, my hair and nails are thriving and my skin is quite firm- for my age. I’m flexible as I do a daily yoga practice, but the collagen supplement has definitely helped ease the stiffness I had in my neck and the occasional wrist pain I used to get.
I was quite sceptical at first, but as there are no side effects (especially if taken with food or a beverage), I felt wanted to try it. There is clinical data now that shows positive results- do your research. There are many forms of hydrolysed collagen, with different sources- mainly bovine or from seafood. For vegans there is collagen made from soy protein. The au naturel way would be to up your intake of beef, chicken, fish, beans, eggs and dairy products. I prefer to take my scoop of collagen in a good cup of coffee in the morning. The brand I prefer is called O Nutricia, but there are so many other brands to try, so you can shop around for your preference.
Apart from being gluten free and diabetic friendly, it also firms and tones the skin, boosts metabolism, hydrates the skin and without a doubt helps ease stiffness in joints and muscles. Go on, try it. Feel well. Feel rejuvenated. You’ve got nothing to lose… except for your collagen.
You can find O Nutricia here: www.onutricia.co.za
*This is not a sponsored post – the supplements mentioned have been bought, tried and tested by the author.
Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.
📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
- Paola Chellewhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/paola-chellew
