What does collagen do for skin?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It has a fibre-like structure and is often referred to as the “building block” of the skin, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues.
It plays an essential role in the structure and elasticity of your skin: giving it shape, bounce, and volume. The dermis (your skin’s middle layer) is held together by collagen. Collagen also supports the epidermis (your skin’s outermost layer), giving it resilience1.
1National Cancer Institute (NCI), ‘Layers of the Skin’, SEER Training Modules, accessed 27 August 2025.
What happens to collagen as we age?
While the body produces its own collagen, this production slows down by approximately 1% each year2 once you reach your twenties. Production slows down further after menopause as well3. There are other factors that can also impede collagen production, like UV exposure, smoking, alcohol, stress, and poor diet.
Thankfully, you can help supplement the skin’s natural collagen loss with the introduction of collagen-boosting skincare ingredients.
2Reilly DM, Lozano J (2021), 'Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty', Plastic and Aesthetic Research, 8 (2). http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153
3Neustadt D.J (2021) ‘How menopause destroys collagen’, NBI Health, accessed 27 August 2025.
4 collagen benefits for skin
We know that collagen plays an essential role in your skin’s resilience, but let’s delve into the specifics. Collagen supports the skin by:
- Boosting elasticity
- Smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving its ability to hold moisture
- Minimising the look of visible pores
Read on as we unpack these four crucial collagen benefits in detail.
1. Improves skin elasticity
As we naturally age, skin becomes thinner and prone to sagging. You might start to notice this specifically around the jawline, cheeks, neck, and eye contours. However, collagen benefits skin by working to keep it firm, plump, and full of bounce. We know that collagen levels decline over time, so this is where collagen skincare can help support your skin’s elasticity for longer.
2. Smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles
When collagen and elastin fibres break down, it causes fine lines and wrinkles to form. As we continue to age, these lines deepen.
Like a loss of firmness, fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable with age – and they’re a sign of a long life well-lived! But, if you are concerned by the appearance of your fine lines and wrinkles, collagen benefits mature skin by minimising the depth of visible textural concerns.
3. Supports skin hydration
Although collagen is not a hydrator in the strictest sense, as your skin’s ‘scaffolding’, it supports your skin’s ability to hold moisture and keep itself lubricated. Collagen is a major component of the dermis, and its dense network of fibres help your skin hold water and prevent transepidermal water loss in the skin moisture barrier. Hydrated skin also appears plumper, smoother, and brighter – a huge plus for mitigating visible ageing concerns.
4. May help reduce the appearance of pores
Another knock-on effect of collagen loss is that the skin around your pores starts to sag – which can emphasise their appearance, size, and depth. Collagen benefits the skin by gently plumping the surrounding tissue, which can help diminish the look of pores. Since collagen also supports hydration it can also boost skin elasticity to give the skin a tighter appearance.
How to stimulate collagen production in the skin
Collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin surface – so collagen itself can’t be applied topically. However, collagen skincare harnesses the power of ingredients that promote collagen production in the skin like peptides, retinol, and vitamin C.
Read on to find out how you can take advantage of collagen benefits for skin using peptide, retinol, and vitamin C-enriched skincare products.
With peptides
Peptides are the gold standard of collagen skincare, and they work by stimulating your body’s collagen synthesis to support your skin’s structure.
You can reap the benefits of peptides for skin using the Revitalift Laser X3 Tri-Peptides Age-Correcting Serum. Designed to target wrinkles, lack of firmness, and uneven skin tone, this serum is formulated with tripeptides, which signal the skin to ‘renew’ itself. You can apply a few drops, morning and night, onto cleansed, dry skin.
With retinol
Retinol is another fixture in our collagen skincare lineup. This vitamin A derivative is an anti-ageing staple, working to encourage collagen production and skin cell turnover for a smoother, plumper, brighter appearance.
As part of your nighttime routine, you can integrate the Revitalift Laser X3 Pure Retinol Night Face Serum. Containing our highest concentration of pure retinol, this serum is formulated to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, as well as age spots and uneven skin texture.
Retinol is a potent ingredient, so we suggest introducing it gradually and applying – at night only – to cleansed, dry skin. Start with application once or twice per week, then gradually build up usage. Remember to use SPF daily, too.
With vitamin C
Vitamin C supports two enzymes – prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase – that are essential for stimulating collagen synthesis in the skin. Vitamin C is also famous for neutralising free radicals – which are a big factor in depleting the skin’s collagen.
Alongside your other collagen skincare, we recommend using a vitamin C serum like the Age Perfect Le Duo Serum. Two highly potent serums combine in one formula to diminish visible signs of ageing. One side delivers ascorbyl glucoside – a water-soluble, stable vitamin C derivative that converts to active vitamin C when applied to the skin. The other side imparts a collagen peptide booster to the skin. Together, these ingredients help firm, smooth, and brighten the skin.
This serum can be used in the morning before moisturiser. Simply activate the formula by pressing the centre several times until the two formulas appear, then apply to the face and neck using upward motions.
Collagen skincare has benefits for all ageing skin – including men’s. Next, discover our five-step men’s anti-ageing skincare routine.
