‘Getting old and having pain, is no fun’, as my Dad used to say.

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It’s true, as I have suffered back and neck pain since my 30’s .It started with an impact to my spine from a car accident, which weakened my body. Little did I know then, was that my IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) was also depleting collagen out of my bones and joints. I did not understand then, how is collagen absorbed in the body.

 As I was doing a lot of weight bearing exercise, I could manage the pain. I just wish I had started taking Collagen then, but we were not aware how important it is to anti aging. As we get older our bones become brittle and joints become weaker, due to collagen depletion. I know all about this, as I have Osteoporosis in my neck and spine and arthritis in my fingers.

 I intend to be as healthy, strong and fit as possible for the rest of my life. I want to be able to play football and run around with my future grandchildren. All my life, I have always been very active and exercised, and been super aware, (some say, obsessive) of what I put in my body (food) and on it (products). I truly believe in doing the best we can, to have the best life possible. 

 I had been hearing so much hype about the benefits to skin and joints, by taking a collagen supplement, and Sandy Greenwood, my structural integration therapist recommended I try a collagen supplement. So in January 2021, I started taking 1500mg a day of Marine collagen supplement.

After only one month, I really could see the visible difference in my facial skin tone. My neck was smoother, around my mouth and chin, tighter, and less saggy. Friends asked if I had been having Botox, (never ever) as I looked younger .My nails and hair have grown quicker and stronger than normal. 3 months on and I can honestly say that my back and neck pain has decreased significantly, and my painful swollen knuckles have all but, disappeared. Of course, never underestimate the super importance of drinking lots of water.

What is Collagen?

• Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It’s found in our skin, bones, connective tissues, muscles, tendons, gut, blood vessels and even our teeth. It’s the body’s building block.

• As collagen is a protein, its building blocks are amino acids. Amino acids are produced when the protein we eat, such as meat, fish and dairy products, are broken down. These amino acids are then rebuilt into other proteins such as wound healing, muscle repair or collagen. However, collagen production decreases with age, which causes weaker connections. This is why skin becomes wrinkly and joints become less stable.‍

• Collagen protein is what keeps your skins’ elasticity and is responsible for replacing dead skin cells.

• Our bodies produce collagen naturally, but it decreases with age: 75% - 80% of our skin is made up of collagen and, from the age of 20, we lose around 1% of this each year. As a result, our skin loses its ‘elasticity’ as we get older, which gives us lines and wrinkles.

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How is collagen absorbed in the body?

The body absorbs collagen through the food that you eat. The body combines amino acids from high protein foods with other vitamins like vitamin c, copper, and zinc  to produce collagen. Collagen contains the amino acid hydroproline, an amino acid that is unique in youthful skin. Eating collagen type rich foods will help your body naturally produce the collagen protein that it needs. So, ingested collagen doesn’t just go directly to the skin. It is absorbed to various parts of the body. A collagen supplement of collagen protein will benefit the whole body, especially in older people with collagen deficiencies. Collagen benefits the entire body, and that includes the body’s largest organ; the skin.

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Foods to increase collagen 

• Our skin is constantly fighting free radical damage during exposure to high levels of stress, pollution and processed food, and this damage cause’s harm to collagen. Let’s coax our skin into producing the best collagen naturally. This, as with so many things, starts with your diet.
• Reduce sugar intake diet and increase your vitamin C intake, which will assist in stimulating the best collagen production.
• Blueberries - contain phyto nutrients (natural chemicals in plants) that help collagen fibres link together in a way that helps your body produce collagen.
• Dark Leafy Greens – spinach, kale and Swiss chard are all rich in vitamin C and A  and encourage the body to produce more collagen protein. (Cancer protection is also another benefit).
• Orange vegetables and fruits, like  carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, apricot, mango tangerine  are rich in vitamin  A, which restores and regenerates damaged collagen protein. Mango, which is rich in Vitamin C, works with these acids to boost your bodies best collagen production.‍‍
• Eggs  are naturally rich in amino acids, which are essential for the formation of collagen. 

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Why use skin care products  with Collagen in ?

The aim of collagen for skin creams is to slow down the loss of this ‘youthfulness’ protein and keep wrinkles off your skin for as long as possible, and to help the body make more collagen.

With the right face cream, it will help protect the collagen you have. A collagen infused cream helps nourish and moisturize the skin, which makes wrinkles look less prominent. In skincare products, hydrolyzed collagen is basically collagen that has been broken down into smaller chains of amino acids which are called peptides. It is believed that peptides can penetrate deeply into the skin and can help support collagen production. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen with a high SPF every single day.

The collagen type we use in our Simply Skincare products is Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen, to promote natural collagen protein production in the skin and body.  It is sustainable and completely natural. 

But it’s not just collagen doing all the work –we use other active ingredients, such as, Sodium Hyaluronate ( hyaluronic acid-leaves skin plumped and hydrated) plant stem cells to promote collagen production  and natural oils that moisturize your skin, protect it against aging and make it glow.

Try our best collagen products;

Organic Age Defense Madonna lily Stem Cell Face Serum  

Organic Age Defense Rose Stem Cell Eye and Neck Cream 

Organic Age Defense Avocado & Seaweed Moisturizer 

Organic Age Defense Avocado & Seaweed Mask

Organic Age Defense Coconut & Aloe Vera Moisturizer

Organic Age Defense Coconut   Mask 

Organic Age Defense Rose & Tea Tree Moisturizer

Organic Age Defense Rose & Tea Tree Mask

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