Here are 10 genius ways to increase collagen production in your skin:
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and red peppers. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production.
- Consume foods high in zinc like oysters, cashews, liver, and chickpeas. Zinc is a mineral that helps regulate collagen synthesis.
- Eat lots of protein from sources like eggs, bone broth, fish, beans, and meat. Amino acids from protein are the building blocks of collagen.
- Apply vitamin C serums topically to help boost collagen production. Look for serums with L-ascorbic acid.
- Use retinoids like retinol creams or tretinoin. Retinoids help stimulate collagen production in the skin.
- Exfoliate regularly with scrubs or peels to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. This helps generate new collagen.
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water daily. Dehydration can reduce collagen production.
- Quit smoking and limit sun exposure, as UV rays and smoke break down collagen.
- Get enough sleep, at least 7-9 hours per night. Sleep is when collagen production peaks.
- Consider collagen supplements made from bovine, marine, or chicken collagen. Supplements provide building blocks for the body to produce its own collagen.