"When it comes to boosting collagen, LIV supports the skin’s own intelligence rather than overwhelming it with counter-productive ingredients."

- Founder and Formulator, Estella

Collagen is a structural protein, the most abundant in the human body. It acts as a scaffold, giving skin its strength, elasticity, and firmness. Think of it as the body’s natural architecture: a matrix of amino acids (predominantly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline) that keeps everything supported and smooth.

Our bodies produce collagen naturally, but like most good things, production declines with time. From around the age of 25, we begin to lose approximately 1% each year. Hormonal changes, UV exposure, pollution, and stress all accelerate this decline. The result? A loss of density and bounce, and the slow softening of features that comes to us all.

Although heavily associated, collagen is not just about aesthetics. It supports wound healing, hydration, and overall skin health. When collagen levels are optimal, the skin behaves like it did in its prime - supple, resilient, luminous from within.

The beauty industry has long sought to replace or replicate this structure topically. But here’s the truth: collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. Applying it directly won’t replenish what’s been lost. What we can do, however, is stimulate our body’s natural collagen production; in other words, we can encourage regeneration from within.

Here’s where science meets ritual. Collagen can be supported, not through quick fixes, but through sustained, intelligent choices.

1. Topical stimulation:
Certain active ingredients have been shown to encourage collagen production. Vitamin C, for example, is a cofactor in collagen synthesis, essential for stabilising and cross-linking its fibres. The Bakuchiol (our plant-derived alternative) increases cellular turnover and fibroblast activity. Peptides, meanwhile, act as messengers, signalling the skin to produce more collagen.

2. Internal nourishment:
The skin is a reflection of internal health. A diet rich in amino acids, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids provides the building blocks for collagen. Think:

• Vitamin C from citrus, berries, and peppers.
• Proline from mushrooms, cabbage, and asparagus.
• Glycine from legumes and seeds.
• Omega-3s from flax, chia, and walnuts which reduce inflammation and protect collagen integrity.

3. Lifestyle rituals:

• Protect against UV exposure; daily SPF are non-negotiable.
• Prioritise sleep; collagen synthesis peaks during deep rest.
• Manage stress, increase meditation, time in nature and movement.

Collagen thrives in equilibrium. It responds best to balance - not bombardment. And with that in mind, part 2 of our collagen journals will be live next week.

Photography : Linda Wit

Copy : Rachael Grieve