These 3 Sneaky Habits Are Absolutely Demolishing Your Collagen Production
The sun isn’t your collagen’s only opponent.
FrankLin
mbg Assistant Beauty Editor
mbg Assistant Beauty Editor
Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.
Image by Kike Arnaiz / Stocksy June 14, 2023 Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may It's the unfortunate truth: UV rays damage your skin1 and contribute to visible skin aging. Hence, why you see such a difference in the complexion of SPF-wearers versus SPF-avoiders, namely sun spots and drooping or sagging skin. That latter sign of sun damage can actually be attributed to collagen damage, as UV rays wreak havoc on this skin-tightening compound. However, the sun isn’t your collagen’s only opponent. To come, three other factors contributing to collagen decline and damage you should know about. 
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
There’s a long list of reasons why smoking isn’t great for you, including the appearance and health of your skin. In fact, smoking is the "big one" for collagen damage, board-certified dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., previously told mbg. "Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues. Therefore, tissue cannot regenerate and is more likely to become damaged and die," he explains. That, plus the oxidative stress of chemicals in tobacco smoke, can lead to premature wrinkles. One study on twins even found that those who smoked had more wrinkles, crow's feet, and facial lines than their non-smoking counterparts. 2. Next up: inflammation-triggering diets. See, what you eat has a direct impact on how your skin looks and feels, mainly due to inflammation. Inflammatory diets, which often include eating plans that are high in sugar, simple carbohydrates, and processed meats, activate the immune system and promote inflammation throughout the body, says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., which can wreak havoc on your natural collagen production. So, say, if you've ever wondered why your collagen supplement doesn't work, take a look at the "other" ingredients on the label: Sugar-laden collagen supplements may do way more harm than good. Instead, look for sugar-free, hydrolyzed collagen peptides to support your natural collagen production—here’s our list of the best-of-the-best for your browsing pleasure. This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.Inflammation-triggering diets
Advertisement
The takeaway
