Everything You Need to Know About Collagen and How to Maintain Your Glow

Over the last couple of months, I have noticed that my breakouts are taking longer to heal than they used to. Despite everything I did to support my skin healing, the acne scars lingered, and I even started to see dark spots appearing.

That’s when it hit me, my skin’s slower recovery is a sign of declining collagen production.

Collagen production 101

As you may know, collagen is the essential protein that provides your skin with elasticity and firmness. However, it is now widely acknowledged that collagen production decreases by approximately 1% per year from your mid-20s. This decline is slow at first, but the cumulative effect becomes more noticeable in your 30s and 40s, showing as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity. Additionally, UV exposure, high sugar intake, lack of sleep, and stress can accelerate collagen breakdown. 

Collagen production relies on amino acids from protein-rich foods and essential nutrients, including vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and sulphur. Let’s break down the role of each nutrient.

• Amino Acids (glycine, proline, lysine, and cysteine): They are the building blocks of collagen. Without sufficient glycine, proline, lysine, and cysteine, the body cannot efficiently produce or repair collagen.
• Vitamin C: It helps your body turn collagen-building blocks into strong, healthy collagen. Without it, collagen is weak.
• Zinc: Crucial for collagen synthesis and repair, it activates enzymes that stabilise collagen fibres.
• Magnesium: It supports protein synthesis, including collagen, and regulates enzymes involved in skin regeneration.
• Calcium: Important for cell turnover and signalling, which indirectly supports collagen production.
• Sulphur: It’s part of certain amino acids and acts like a “lock” that helps collagen fibres stay strong and stable.

Your body needs all of these working together. Amino acids to build collagen, vitamin C to strengthen it, and essential minerals to support the process. Missing any piece can slow collagen production and affect skin firmness.

How to maintain healthy collagen production?

Although collagen decline is a natural part of ageing, there are many effective ways to support healthy collagen production. Lifestyle habits, such as daily UV protection, quitting smoking, managing stress, and limiting sugar and processed foods, all play a significant role. But beyond that, nutrition, skincare, and targeted supplements provide additional support.

Nutrition for Collagen - A balanced diet plays a key role in collagen health.

• Protein-rich foods: Consuming lean protein, such as fish and eggs, provides the building blocks.
• Vitamin C: Essential for collagen synthesis (found in citrus, berries, bell peppers).
• Copper & zinc: Help activate enzymes that stabilise collagen (nuts, seeds, shellfish).
• Antioxidants: Polyphenols in green tea, berries, and dark leafy greens help protect collagen from oxidative stress.

Skincare & Treatments - Topical and professional treatments can further support collagen production.

• Topical retinoids (retinol, tretinoin): Stimulate collagen production.
• Peptides: Signal the skin to produce more collagen.
• Vitamin C serums: Promote collagen formation and protect against free radicals.
• Essential Minerals: Support the enzymes and skin cells that build and repair collagen.
• Professional treatments: including microneedling, laser resurfacing, and radiofrequency, have been clinically shown to boost collagen renewal.

Supplements - Dietary supplements can complement a balanced diet and skincare routine.

• Collagen peptides: Hydrolysed collagen supplements may improve skin elasticity and hydration in some studies.
• Supportive nutrients: such as vitamin C, zinc, and hyaluronic acid, are often combined with collagen supplements for synergistic effects.

Is taking a collagen supplement really effective?

Collagen supplements are popular, but their impact on skin health is not entirely clear. Some studies suggest that oral supplements with a high amount of collagen can improve the skin’s moisture level and appearance. However, proteins (including collagen) are broken down to amino acids during digestion and reassembled again by the body into whichever proteins are needed. This means that the direct impact of collagen supplements on your skin health may be very limited. 

What to look for in a product for sensitive skin and collagen support

If you have sensitive skin, finding collagen-supporting skincare products can be challenging. Many popular ingredients, such as retinol, vitamin C, and peptides, are effective but often too harsh, leaving sensitive skin prone to irritation. 

And that’s where essential minerals step in.

Magnesium, calcium and sulphur play a vital role in collagen production by promoting healthy cellular turnover and strengthening collagen fibres. Meanwhile, potassium and bromide help protect your skin’s natural barrier, preventing external stressors (like UV rays and pollution) from accelerating collagen breakdown. Together, these minerals not only support collagen production but also soothe, hydrate and protect sensitive skin.

The good news is that Dead Sea salt and mud are extremely rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bromide. Making them the ideal choice for sensitive skin types seeking gentle yet effective collagen support.

We’ve curated a sensitive skin-friendly regimen designed to both care for your skin and promote healthy collagen production.

1. Purifying Mineral Mud Mask

Rich in natural Dead Sea Mud, this gentle mud mask supports cell renewal and skin repair. Gently detoxifies without stripping, which helps maintain a strong skin barrier, essential for collagen production.

2. Refining Body Scrub

Formulated with natural Dead Sea Salts, it gently exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells. Preparing the skin to better absorb nutrients and stimulate circulation, creating conditions that favour collagen renewal.

3. Defining Body Cream

Packed with natural Dead Sea minerals, it deeply moisturises, supporting skin elasticity and barrier strength.
Hydrated, resilient skin is better protected against collagen breakdown.

4. Nourishing Hand & Foot Cream

It soothes and hydrates dry, delicate areas with natural Dead Sea minerals.
Keeping the skin barrier intact and preventing stress that can accelerate collagen loss.

5. Micro Needle Roller (Optional)
Roll gently in multiple directions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) over clean, dry skin (0.3 mm is shallow, so use 1-2× per week max). It stimulates collagen & elastin production by creating micro-injuries that prompt the skin to repair itself, which encourages more collagen.

*Avoid using it when skin is already inflamed (flare-ups of eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, active acne).