11 natural ways to boost your skin's collagen before your wedding day

Wedding is a special day in your life; a day when you want to feel and look your best. It takes time and a careful skincare regimen that focuses on collagen stimulation to get bright skin. For the uninitiated, collagen is the most prevalent protein in the body that’s found in ligaments, fat, tendons, and so on. It comprises over 75% of your skin. It's in charge of keeping your skin's suppleness and body joints in good condition and is essential to the integrity of our bone structure. 

The creation of collagen by your body is essential for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Your body can create and maintain collagen but it is a process, and if you start well in advance, about three months, you can naturally increase collagen production. Here are five ways to naturally boost collagen production in your body.

Exfoliation: Exfoliating the skin regularly encourages collagen synthesis and cell turnover by removing dead skin cells. Use a mild exfoliator once or twice a week, depending on the type of skin you have. When the wedding day draws nearer, this will make your complexion appear smoother and more luminous.

Facial massages: Regular facial massages can help stimulate blood flow to the skin and promote collagen production. You can use natural oils such as rosehip oil or argan oil to perform gentle massages, focusing on upward and outward movements to improve circulation and assist in the absorption of nutrients. This technique not only supports collagen production but also helps relax the facial muscles and release tension, contributing to a more radiant complexion.

Natural oils: Include organic oils in your skincare regimen. These oils promote skin hydration and collagen formation since they are high in fatty acids and antioxidants. Before going to bed, apply a few drops on your face or mix them into your moisturiser for extra nutrition.

Protect yourself from the sun: Protect your skin from UV radiation, as too much sun exposure can hasten the deterioration of collagen. Even on cloudy days, re-apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 every day. 

Use collagen-promoting skincare products: Invest in skincare products that increase the formation of collagen. Seek for products with components like peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol. These components improve general skin health, lessen fine wrinkles, and increase the production of collagen. 

Control your stress levels: Stress can have a detrimental effect on collagen synthesis and hasten the ageing process. Make stress-reduction methods a priority; practice yoga and meditation to enhance general well-being. By reducing stress, you can support your skin's natural collagen production and promote a healthy and radiant complexion for your special day. 

Prioritize quality sleep as your wedding day approaches. During sleep, your body undergoes repair and regeneration, including collagen production. Make sure to complements your beauty sleep to enhanced collagen support by using a good night cream and serum that has a potential to boosts Collagen production. Combine these natural strategies with expertly crafted skincare products for a radiant, collagen-boosted glow on your special day. Here's to celebrating your beauty journey with confidence and grace.

Include products with aloe vera in your skincare routine: Wounds have traditionally been treated with aloe vera gel to promote healing and comfort. When used topically or even internally, the aloe vera plant promotes the formation of collagen, which is why it helps heal cuts and burns. This characteristic that promotes cell proliferation can help your skin produce more collagen. Aloe vera can be administered topically to the skin in its purest form or as an ingredient in a variety of readily available products.

Consume foods rich in Vitamin C: A necessary component for the production of hyaluronic acid is vitamin C. Foods containing hyaluronic acid will not fully help your body if you do not consume enough vitamin C. Hyaluronic acid has the potential to increase the body's production of collagen. The body naturally contains hyaluronic acid, but as we age, our levels decline. Consuming foods high in vitamin C and amino acids can raise the body's levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid, two substances that are vital for healthy skin. Vitamin C-rich foods include oranges, red peppers, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and strawberries.

Collagen can be found in bone broth, chicken skin and connective tissues, particularly when the skin is kept in place throughout processing. You can also include collagen-rich fish in your diet. Desserts are excellent sources of collagen, as are foods high in gelatin. Additionally, even though egg whites don't contain a lot of collagen, they can still help produce it.

Additionally, incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, chia seeds, and walnuts, to support skin hydration and elasticity. Green leafy vegetables, bone broth, and lean protein sources are also beneficial for providing the amino acids and nutrients necessary for collagen production.

Drink ginseng tea or consume as a supplement: The Panax ginseng plant has well-established anti-aging properties. Ginseng helps skin retain its natural form and absorbs into the skin without any side effects. Research has demonstrated the potential of ginseng to protect skin from UVB light damage caused by the sun. When you drink ginseng tea or take a supplement, the antioxidants that are released into your bloodstream help protect healthy cells and promote bright skin.

Proper hydration is key for maintaining skin health and supporting collagen formation. Drinking an adequate amount of water each day helps keep your skin hydrated and supports the natural processes that create and maintain collagen.

Include coriander in your meals: The herb cilantro, sometimes referred to as coriander leaf, is frequently used in cooking. It has vitamin C, which has been connected to increase in the synthesis of collagen. Linolenic acid, found in cilantro, has been shown in studies to be a potent anti-aging ingredient for the skin. Antioxidants combat free radicals, which damage healthy skin cells and are released into the bloodstream. 

Algae in oral supplements: Ingredients derived from marine plants are increasingly being used in beauty regimens. This is because "oxidation", or the skin's exposure to external factors like pollution, which can impair cell growth, is the primary cause of skin damage. Algae can keep your skin's suppleness and collagen from being destroyed by oxidation. A majority of health food stores sell algae as oral supplements.

Please note: There are adverse effects of some collagen supplements. The most prevalent ones include allergic reactions, joint pain, and excess calcium production. Take extreme caution when using any type of collagen supplement if you have ever experienced an adverse response to seafood or meat products. Consult a professional before consuming collagen supplements.

Inputs by Deepali Bansal, CEO and Founder, Suroskie, Dr Vinayak N Anchan, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, Dr Stuti Khare Shukla, M.D. Dermatologist, Founder of Elements of Aesthetics, Hair Growth Queen of India Founder of FDA-Approved Hair Growth Booster, Dr Trishna Gupte, Clinical cosmetologist and Trichologist, International trainer and Head of academics, Founder and owner of The Cosmo-Square clinic, ISCA and Ms. Pooja Nagdev, Cosmetologist & Aromatherapist, Founder, Inatur