How Natural Skincare Can Help Boost Collagen

Collagen is the main structural protein in skin, providing it with strength and elasticity. When we’re young, we have collagen in abundance, which is why our skin looks plumped, healthy, and line-free. As we age, the amount of collagen produced by our body naturally decreases, leading to a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin. Wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin are all the result of depleted collagen levels.

There are different types of collagen. Type I is the most abundant and the main protein in our connective tissue. A natural skincare routine aimed at supporting Type I collagen levels is your most effective way to retain your youthful complexion.

While powders and supplements may claim to target collagen levels from the inside, only your skincare can tackle it from the top: your epidermis, or the top layer of your skin. Your skin absorbs much of what you put on it, which is why it’s critical to invest in natural, scientific, vegan and organic skin care that is rich in nutrients, yet free from nasties.

Quality is key when it comes to collagen-boosting skincare. The easiest way to determine whether a product could support your skin’s natural collagen function is to check whether it has been scientifically tested in-vitro. Proof of this validation should be clearly displayed on the label.

In simple terms, in-vitro refers to a test in a lab; as opposed to clinical trials, which are tested on living human subjects. Because an in-vitro test is performed in a laboratory environment, it is subject to specific methods and controls, which means the results are reliable and objective.

From the very beginning, Antipodes founder and CEO, Elizabeth Barbalich, has championed in-vitro testing as the gold standard.

The goal of an in-vitro investigation is to measure how well fibroblast skin cells (the cells that produce Type I collagen) stimulate, or synthesise, collagen. The cells are grown in petri dishes, and the skincare product – usually a cream or serum – is applied to them directly. The higher the percentage of collagen synthesis, the more effective a product is at helping to boost collagen in skin.

In-vitro testing is subject to strict scientific methods. Trials are performed by an independent private laboratory, which conducts a blind study. As the scientists are not given the names of the products, the results are objective – and there are no human variables to influence the results.

So what are the best scientifically validated products for reducing fine lines and keeping skin plumped and youthful?

Meet the most powerful natural night cream to support collagen function. This certified vegetarian avocado face cream contains New Zealand manuka honey – a natural humectant which draws moisture into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated. Meanwhile, the skin benefits avocado oil provides are numerous. It contains a substance called sterolin, which can trigger the production of collagen.

This anti aging eye cream has scientific backing from plant to product. Kiwi seed oil is rich in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps brighten, protect, and plump skin by helping to boost collagen. It’s no surprise, then, that this silky-smooth eye cream for wrinkles is one of the best eye creams for smoothing the appearance of fine lines around the eyes. Certified vegan.

A few drops of this water-based serum after cleansing is all that’s needed to freshen, hydrate, and plump up thirsty skin in your anti aging skincare routine. Mamaku black fern encourages healthy cell turnover while Vinanza® Grape is a powerful antioxidant-rich extract that targets skin elasticity - one of the answers for how to get rid of wrinkles. Certified organic and vegan.

The best organic skincare extracts nutrient-rich nature without impacting the planet. Loaded with avocado oil, rosehip oil and macadamia nut oil – each full of essential fatty acids that nourish the skin and soften the appearance of scars and wrinkles – this ultra-clean facial oil is a must-have for tired skin. Best of all? It’s certified both organic and vegan.