Collagen: it’s the stuff that keeps our skin smooth, our joints happy, and our bodies from feeling like they’re falling apart. It’s the most abundant protein in our bodies, acting like the glue that holds everything together. It makes up our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, keeping them strong, flexible, and resilient. But here’s the kicker - collagen production naturally starts to slow down as we age. And that’s when the fine lines, wrinkles, and creaky joints start creeping in. So, what’s breaking down our collagen and how can we slow the process? 

Why Does Collagen Break Down?

1. Getting Older

The biggest reason for collagen breakdown? Time. Your body makes less collagen every year once you hit your mid-20s. And once you get into your 40s and 50s, you really start to notice the changes. Sometimes it happens gradually and sometimes it’s like a flicking a switch, but either way it can be quite alarming for many people (that mid life crisis is a real thing). You look in the mirror one morning and you don’t feel like you anymore.

2. Too Much Sun

You might love a good sunbathing session but trust us when we tell you that your skin doesn’t. UV rays from the sun break down collagen and speed up aging. That's why people who spend too much time in the sun without protection often see wrinkles and sunspots show up faster. You probably already know this - but if you're still skipping sunscreen or hitting the sun beds, consider this your friendly reality check!

3. Eating Too Much Sugar

Sugar messes with your collagen as much as your waistline. When you eat a lot of sugar, it binds to collagen fibers in a process called glycation, making them stiff and weak. The result? Skin that’s less plump, more prone to wrinkles, and slower to repair itself.

4. Smoking

Cigarettes aren’t just bad for your lungs; they destroy collagen too. You’ve heard of smokers lines, right? Well if you haven’t, now you have. Smokers tend to get wrinkles around their mouth faster due to smoking affecting collagen production. This is a result of the chemicals in tobacco reducing blood flow to your skin, which makes it harder for your body to produce new collagen. So if you needed another reason to quit, here it is!

5. Stress (yep, it shows on your face)

High stress = high cortisol (the stress hormone), and cortisol slows down collagen production. Ever notice how stress makes your skin look dull or tired? That’s why. Meditation, exercise, or even just taking deep breaths can help keep cortisol levels in check.

6. A Crappy Diet

If your meals are lacking protein, vitamin C, zinc, and healthy fats, your body doesn’t have the building blocks it needs to make collagen. Foods like salmon, eggs, citrus fruits, and leafy greens all help keep collagen levels up.

7. Pollution & Toxins

City life isn’t always kind to your skin. Air pollution, smoke, and chemicals from certain skincare or cleaning products can speed up collagen breakdown. Washing your face at night and using antioxidant-rich products (like vitamin C) can help fight the damage.

How to Protect Your Collagen

Okay, so we know what breaks collagen down - now let’s talk about how to keep it strong.

Eat Collagen-Boosting Foods: Load up on vitamin C (oranges, peppers, berries), healthy fats (avocados, nuts, salmon), and protein (chicken, eggs, tofu).‍

Wear Sunscreen: Seriously, just do it. UV damage is one of the biggest causes of collagen loss.

Cut Back on Sugar: You don’t have to quit sweets forever, but keeping sugar in check helps keep your skin firm and smooth.

Manage Stress: Whether it’s yoga, a walk, or just turning off your phone for an hour, reducing stress helps your body make more collagen.

Stay Hydrated: Water keeps your skin plump and helps your body repair damage.

Exercise: Movement boosts circulation, which helps deliver nutrients to your skin and keeps collagen production going.

Support NAD+ Levels: We’re closing with the big one here. You might have heard of NAD+ by now as it’s gained a lot of popularity in the media for its anti-aging properties. But what is it? It’s a molecule in your body that helps keep your cells young and functioning properly. Our NAD+ levels drop as we get older, which affects things like energy, metabolism, and yes - collagen production. Hello wrinkles. This is why so many people are now focusing on supporting NAD+ levels - whether through diet, lifestyle choices, or supplements - to stay feeling and looking healthy as they age. 

Maintain that Glow

Aging happens, but how you take care of yourself makes a difference. Cut back on the habits that speed up collagen loss, load up on the good stuff, and your body will thank you - no time machine required.

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