What is Collagen and Why Does It Matter?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and the foundation of healthy skin.
Think of it as the scaffolding that holds everything up—keeping your skin firm, plump, and smooth. It’s what gives young skin its bounce and resilience. Because of this it's clearly a really critical part of healthy skin and collagen degradation is something your skin tries to prevent each and every day.
But here’s the catch: as we age, our natural collagen production slows down. By the time you hit your 30s, your body is making less of it, and by your 40s and 50s, the decline is even more noticeable.
Different skin has different levels of collagen (you can read our journal about the difference between male and female skin for example here) but here’s the catch: as we age, our natural collagen production slows down. By the time you hit your 30s, your body is making less of it, and by your 40s and 50s, the decline is even more noticeable.
The result? Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and skin that just doesn’t look as fresh as it once did.
What interests us at LifeJacket are those external factors that accelerate collagen degradation and where we can find technological solutions to help your skin fight back.
What Causes Collagen to Break Down?
Collagen loss is a natural part of aging, but certain lifestyle and environmental factors accelerate the process. Here’s what’s working against your skin:
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Sun exposure: Surprise surprise, the biggest single factor that accelerates collagen degradation is UV exposure. Our daily protection products are an excellent way to stop accelerated collagen degradation and in doing so help to preserve the structural integrity of your skin. Not only does UV protection reduce the very real risk of cell mutation and skin cancers, but it helps to prevent visual ageing and pigmentation issues. Everyday UV rays are the #1 external cause of collagen degradation. They trigger enzymes that break down collagen faster than your body can replace it.
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Sugar and processed foods: High sugar intake leads to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which stiffen and weaken collagen fibers.
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Smoking: Tobacco smoke releases chemicals that damage collagen and elastin, leading to premature aging.
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Pollution and toxins: Environmental pollutants generate free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and break down collagen.
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Stress and poor sleep: Chronic stress and lack of sleep increase cortisol levels, which interfere with collagen production.
How to Boost and Protect Collagen Naturally
The good news? You can slow down collagen loss and even stimulate new production with a few key lifestyle changes and skincare habits.
1. Shield your skin from the sun
Daily skin protection is non-negotiable. Daily UV rays are the biggest enemy of collagen, so wearing our SPF 30 Daily Protection Moisturiser helps protect your skin from premature aging.
2. Try to eat a collagen-boosting diet
Certain nutrients play a crucial role in collagen production:
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Vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and leafy greens) is essential for collagen synthesis.
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Protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, and eggs provide amino acids that build collagen.
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Antioxidants from berries, nuts, and green tea help protect existing collagen from free radical damage.
3. Use specific skincare ingredients
Not all skincare is created equal. Some ingredients are scientifically proven to help maintain collagen levels:
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Retinol (Vitamin A) stimulates collagen production.
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Peptides act as building blocks to support collagen synthesis.
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L-Carnosine (the powerhouse ingredient in our Daily Repair Moisturiser) helps combat glycation and oxidative stress, two major causes of collagen breakdown.
The Science Behind L-Carnosine and Collagen Protection
L-Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide (a combination of two amino acids: beta-alanine and histidine) with impressive anti-aging properties. Here’s how it works:
1. It fights glycation
Glycation is a process where sugar molecules attach to collagen fibers, making them stiff, brittle, and less effective. L-Carnosine helps prevent this by acting as an anti-glycation agent, keeping collagen flexible and resilient.
2. It’s a powerful antioxidant
Free radicals from UV rays, pollution, and stress damage collagen at a cellular level. L-Carnosine neutralises these free radicals before they can do harm. This is why it's also an excellent anti-pollution moisturiser if you live in a city or work around diesel engines.
3. It helps maintain skin elasticity
Studies suggest that L-Carnosine can support fibroblast cells, which are responsible for producing new collagen, helping your skin stay firm and youthful.
How to Incorporate L-Carnosine into Your Skincare Routine
You can’t stop aging, but you can slow down collagen loss with the right products. That’s why we’ve included L-Carnosine in our Daily Repair Moisturiser formula, designed to protect your skin from the elements while actively supporting collagen health.
Paired with SPF, antioxidants, and a healthy lifestyle, it’s one of the best defenses against premature aging.
Final thoughts
Collagen is the key to smooth, youthful skin—but it needs protection. From sun damage to sugar, plenty of factors work against it. By making simple changes, like wearing SPF, eating skin-friendly foods, and using products with L-Carnosine, you can give your skin the support it needs to stay strong, healthy, and resilient for years to come.
We’re always innovating but you can be 100% reassured that all of our products are toxicologically and dermatologically tested, so you know your skin is in safe hands.
Want to future-proof your skin? Check out our scientifically-formulated, high performance skincare, designed to protect and strengthen your skin every day.
