One of the biggest movers and shakers lately is COLLAGEN. Wrinkles and sagging skin? Collagen smooths and firms like magic! But there’s not enough scientific evidence to prove this. It could simply be a marketing masterstroke targeting our vanity – because we’ll try ANYTHING to make us look younger!

Much more than a beauty treatment, collagen accounts for 30% of our body’s protein. It provides structure, support and strength to our skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues. To produce it, the body needs the amino acids glycine and proline – which combine with other amino acids – and also vitamin C, zinc and copper. Chicken, beef, fish, dairy and eggs have the amino acids glycine and proline; vitamin C, zinc and copper are in citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy greens, nuts and whole grains.

But did you know that chicken cartilage and chicken feet are especially rich in collagen? One of the reasons Asian women have smooth skin is because they take an umbrella when out in the sun – and they also love chicken feet with their dishes … I used to object when Mum made me use an umbrella when outdoors, and when Granny added chicken feet with her soup. I’m glad they ignored me! 

From the age of 45, our body produces less collagen; existing collagen breaks down at a faster rate both for men and women. Wrinkles, thinning skin and age (or brown) spots appear. If you sunbaked when younger, wrinkles appear sooner. Women especially experience a significant reduction in collagen production after menopause, and those on HRT will find that estrogen helped restore thickness in their skin. 

Ladies: Would you feel better if I told you that though male wrinkles appear later than female wrinkles, when they do they’re fully grooved and progress much more quickly? Men are also most affected by fat cells that puff up the area below the eyes; it’s what we call ‘bags’. 

The good news is that a well-balanced diet gives your body the necessary raw ingredients to help make collagen naturally. Keep your skin glowing and your eyes shining with regular exercise and by drinking 2–3 litres of water a day. Add a smile and no-one will notice your wrinkles! 

But that also means you shouldn’t smoke, have too much sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol. This will reduce collagen production and will leave your skin looking pasty and dull. 

Ladies: always use a light cover of sunscreen over your make-up and don’t forget your hands. Nothing damages skin more than excessive sun exposure. Eight to ten minutes in the sun with about 22% of uncovered skin is all we need to get enough Vitamin D.

Legitimate cosmetic products don’t penetrate deep enough to reach your bloodstream. You can help them work better by following these steps:

• Cleanse your skin twice a day to remove environmental pollutants
• Be gentle. Harsh exfoliants and soap can strip the skin of its natural moisture 
• After cleansing, use a mild toner before you moisturise and apply makeup 
• Moisturising is mandatory after cleansing – as well as applying a dermatologically tested eye cream. Both help to protect and lock in moisture and work wonders for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Apply a facial mask once a week. 

I also make it a point to have an hour-long facial at least once every 6 weeks – all because I save heaps of money on supplements and over-priced facial creams. The face massage will keep your skin glowing for days! 

Covid is now all but over. We’ve ditched the masks – so let’s show faces that are bright, beaming and bursting with energy. And if you think a little nip and tuck would be nice, go ahead and get it done. But just make sure you see a reputable plastic surgeon!