How Exactly Do Collagen Creams Work?

Moisturize To Restore And Repair The Dermal Layers

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is composed of three layers - the epidermis, dermis and a subcutaneous tissue layer called the hypodermis (made up of fat and connective tissue). Moisturizing collagen creams work to stimulate the production of collagen in the dermis layer of the skin, which then creates a more elastic feel as it regenerates new skin cells and rejuvenates old skin cells that ultimately rise up to the epidermis (outer) layer of the skin to decrease the look of deep lines and pigmentation.

Epidermis

The epidermis is the top layer of the skin which is composed of dead skin cells connected by a protein matrix. It is broken into several layers which include (bottom to top) stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and the stratum corneum. A fifth layer, the stratum lucidum, is evident in areas such as the bottom of your feet where the skin is thicker. While these cells don't get a blood supply, they are essential in creating a protective barrier for the skin.

The top layer of the epidermis helps retain moisture within the skin, and is normally made up of about 15% water. When the moisture content drops, the skin starts to look dry and flaky until it eventually starts cracking. Anti-aging collagen creams work by rehydrating this layer of the skin and stimulating damaged cells to repair themselves.

Dermis

The dermis is the middle layer of the skin and offers structural support for the skin, as well as connecting the epidermis to the blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves. The dermis is thinner (like the skin on your neck) and therefore more prone to wrinkling due to dryness. The primary function of a moisturizer is to delay the loss of moisture and a good cream will work to retain the moisture already present within the dermis. Moisturizers work to trap moisture in the dermis before it has a chance to escape. Moisturizing the skin is a crucial component of every skin-care regimen, which allows the skin to trap the water in the dermis and the viable layers of the epidermis to maintain healthy, supple and youthful skin.

Hypodermis

The hypodermis is the deepest layer that anchors the skin to muscles and naturally contains fat. It is where skin cells are formed. The natural cycle of the skin means that as new cells are created, dead cells on the epidermis will be worn away, a process that takes around a month. During this time, new skin cells, produced in the hypodermis, rise to the epidermis and flake off.

No cream will be able to revive these dead cells. However, if dead cells are removed (preferably via exfoliation) younger, newer, viable cells will dominate and help the skin look more radiant. The hypodermis benefits greatly from a balanced diet and perhaps even a nutritional supplement such as phytoceramides to help maintain the health of the skin cell renewal hub.

Most products are formulated using one or more of the three main types of substances which include: humectants, emollients and occlusive compounds. Each of these components has a unique mechanism of action and the majority of skin-care manufacturers will use a combination of these ingredients to create a synergistic effect for the most positive results.

So what should you look for in a collagen cream?

We expect you to be wary – we were, too. We have all been let down by products that promise to help us achieve our skin-care goals, only to realize a month later that nothing has changed. But collagen creams really do work – that is, if you find a legitimate, quality product.

Whenever a skin-care craze like this hits the market, dozens of companies spring up overnight to try and cash in. As a result, you’ll find lots of watered-down, poor-quality products that promise results they simply can’t deliver.

A good collagen cream will use the highest-quality ingredients. It must contain marine-derived collagen, which is the most soluble type of collagen as it absorbs 1.5 times faster and more effectively than bovine, porcine or chicken collagen. The collagen should also be hydrolyzed, which means it’s broken down into small, easy-to-absorb peptides. You should also look for reputable companies that sell a range of skin-care products.

If you want to try out a winning collagen cream, check out our review of the top collagen creams, where we analyzed the ingredients, company reputation, customer reviews, and more to help our readers find the products that don’t mess around. Now you don’t have to scratch your head when you google ‘collagen cream’ and end up with 25 different results. We’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation!

What makes collagen creams effective?

The secret lies in using effective top-quality ingredients to replenish diminishing levels of collagen and optimize the body's natural mechanisms to boost its production. Hydrolyzed marine collagen easily penetrates the top layer of the skin and provides it with a plethora of benefits, such as firmer, smoother, more supple skin.

Some additional ingredients to look for are retinol (Vitamin A), which increases the production of collagen, and hyaluronic acid, which helps lock the moisture into your skin. Together, these ingredients will provide your skin with the optimal nourishment to give you the most effective results.