What Is Collagen?
Collagen has become something of a buzzword in recent years hasn't it. But beyond the hype, collagen is something far more fundamental. It isn’t a trend — it’s a cornerstone of how our bodies are built.
In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It’s the structural framework that quite literally holds us together. So it's probably easier to think of collagen as scaffolding.
It forms the connective tissue in our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and even blood vessels. It gives skin its firmness and elasticity. It strengthens joints. It supports gut lining integrity. It contributes to healthy hair and nails.
I'm no expert but from my online research I've found that there are different types of collagen, but the majority of what we need comes from three key types:
- Type I. This type makes up 90% of your body’s collagen. Type I is densely packed and used to provide structure to your skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.
- Type II. This type is found in elastic cartilage, which provides joint support.
- Type III. This type is found in muscles, arteries and organs.
- Type IV. This type is found in the layers of your skin.
- Type V. This type is found in the cornea of your eyes, some layers of skin, hair and tissue of the placenta. (Cleveland Clinic)
When collagen production is strong, skin appears plump, joints feel supported, and tissues repair efficiently. But as we age, production naturally slows.
Why Does Collagen Decline?
From our mid-twenties onwards, collagen production gradually decreases. By the time we reach our forties and fifties, this decline becomes more noticeable.
You may recognise the signs:
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Fine lines and wrinkles
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Reduced skin elasticity
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Joint stiffness
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Thinning hair
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Slower recovery from exercise
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Weaker nails
Lifestyle factors accelerate this process. Excess sugar, (sugar is my own particular problem area), smoking, UV exposure, chronic stress and poor nutrition can all break down collagen more rapidly.
Ageing itself isn’t the problem. Ageing is natural and can even be beautiful but supporting collagen development can help us age with strength and resilience and I'm all for finding natural ways to help myself age as healthily as possible.
Can We Boost Collagen Naturally?
Our bodies make collagen from amino acids, primarily glycine, proline and hydroxyproline (ref: Cleveland Clinic see link above). To do this effectively, we need:
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Adequate protein intake
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Vitamin C (essential for collagen synthesis)
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Zinc and copper
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Antioxidants to protect existing collagen
Bone broth, chicken, fish, eggs and legumes are helpful dietary sources. Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, berries and leafy greens are also important.
But as production declines with age, many people choose to supplement.
Collagen Supplements: Do They Work?
I don't really know enough about collagen supplements to share much but it seems that collagen supplements are typically hydrolysed (broken down into peptides) to make them easier to absorb. Research suggests that collagen peptides may support:
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Skin hydration and elasticity
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Reduction in wrinkle depth
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Joint comfort
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Bone density
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Muscle mass in older adults
It's important to remember that they’re not a miracle cure, though consistent use alongside a healthy lifestyle can provide measurable benefits according to studies. If you are going to use them choose high-quality sources that are responsibly produced and tested for purity. And as with any supplement, remember that results tend to be gradual rather than instant.
Collagen and Skin Health
From a skin perspective, collagen is central to firmness and bounce. When levels drop, the skin’s structure weakens. Elastin and hyaluronic acid also decline, compounding the visible effects.
Topical skincare products containing ingredients such as vitamin C, retinoids and peptides can stimulate collagen production. However, collagen molecules themselves are generally too large to penetrate deeply into the skin when applied topically so creams labelled “with collagen” tend to support hydration rather than rebuild structural collagen.
This is why a combined approach often works best:
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Support collagen from within (nutrition/supplementation)
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Protect existing collagen (SPF and antioxidants)
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Stimulate production (targeted skincare)
(At this point of course I couldn't not mention some Tropic products that are especially good for supporting collagen production and helping your skin maintain firmness and elasticity):
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Lip Silk Plumping Ceramide Serum
This serum is enriched with vegan collagen, plant ceramides, and plant peptides. It deeply hydrates and smooths lips, boosting elasticity and filling out fine lines for a plumped, youthful appearance without irritation. -
Youth Potion Enriched Retinal Complex
This advanced serum combines natural retinal with bakuchiol and plant peptides to boost collagen and elastin production. It smooths fine lines, improves firmness, and brightens the complexion, ideal for mature or ageing skin. -
Hydrogel Face Mask
This ultra-hydrating mask contains peptides which help firm, plump, and energise tired skin, stimulating collagen renewal and delivering deep hydration in just 20 minutes. -
Eye Lift Exosome Midnight Balm
Formulated with biomimetic mini proteins and plant stem cells, this balm supports collagen and elastin production around the delicate eye area, reducing fine lines and improving firmness for a lifted look.
All these products include ingredients that help stimulate or support collagen production, such as plant peptides, vegan collagen, biomimetic proteins, and retinal complexes. They also focus on hydration and protecting the skin barrier, which is essential for maintaining healthy collagen levels. If you would like to learn more about them feel free to message me privately or you can read more about each of them on my Tropic webshop here.
Collagen Beyond Beauty
It’s easy to focus on the aesthetic benefits, but collagen’s role extends far beyond appearance.
Healthy collagen levels contribute to:
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Strong joints and mobility
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Gut lining integrity
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Cardiovascular strength
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Muscle recovery
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Bone resilience
As we live longer, supporting structural health becomes increasingly important. Collagen isn’t about chasing youth — it’s about maintaining function, independence and vitality.
A Balanced Perspective
It’s worth remembering that collagen is not a magic fix. It won’t reverse ageing, eliminate wrinkles overnight or compensate for poor lifestyle habits.
But it is a foundational protein. Supporting it through good nutrition, sensible sun exposure, stress management, movement and, if it feels appropriate for you, supplementation can help the body maintain its natural architecture for longer.
Ageing is not something to fight. It is something to support and collagen is one of the quiet, steady allies that allows us to move, glow, bend, heal and thrive as the years pass.