Yes, because both collagen and retinol have anti-aging properties. However, retinol is a more potent anti-aging product, so it's better for those with deep-set wrinkles. Collagen is better for those with fewer and finer wrinkles.
While collagen works in the background to help keep your skin youthful and your body strong, retinol can support its efficiency and keep your skin glowing at the same time.
Collagen works on the epidermis to nourish and hydrate it. It can give your skin a plumper look but cannot affect it at a cellular level. Retinol can penetrate the dermis layer and affect changes at a cellular level. They can repair or remove damaged skin cells and stimulate new cell formation.
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
Retinol improves collagen synthesis in skin, but often at the expense of skin dryness, inflammation, and sun sensitivity. Peptides are generally more gentle and moisturizing than retinol and therefore a better choice for those with a more sensitive skin type.
In short - yes, retinol and collagen can be used together! In fact, these two ingredients can be combined to make a strong duo when it comes to anti-ageing. Retinol and collagen can be found alongside each other in many different forms, including creams, serums, and of course, liquid collagen.
Whey protein contains more branched amino acids, such as leucine, than collagen.
Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.
Ingredients that can serve as more gentle alternatives to retinol include bakuchiol, peptides, azelaic acid and more. Below, check out top-recommended products and then learn a bit more about how these alternative ingredients work.
Using retinol and vitamin C together (this doesn't have to be at the same time) may result in smoother, brighter skin. "Vitamin C defends, protects and supports collagen production, while retinol renews skin cells and stimulates collagen," Shirazi says. "They both reduce pigmentation and brighten discoloration."
Begin in Your Mid-20s or Early 30s
“Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol,” says Ellen Marmur, M.D. “Many patients who have used it for years swear by it.”
Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.
If you're looking for an ingredient that can help to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, retinol may be the better option. However, if you're looking for something that will keep your skin hydrated and plump, hyaluronic acid may be a better choice.
Additionally, antioxidants such as vitamin C can reverse the inflammation that causes damage to the collagen in your skin. "From what we know now, people are likely to get more benefit from retinol or vitamin C skin care products than from a collagen-containing cream," Dr. Aivaz says.
Based on the existing literature from both animal and human studies, it seems that oral collagen supplements improve skin elasticity, turgor, and hydration and reduce skin wrinkling and roughness.
It helps skin cells adhere to one another and also gives the skin strength and elasticity. Collagen production decreases with age, contributing to skin wrinkling and sagging. What are some other health benefits of collagen? There is some evidence that collagen supplements improve joint pain and osteoarthritis.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
This cream also contains the antioxidant vitamin C, another potent ingredient that can deliver a serious glow.
PAUL JARROD FRANK, DERMATOLOGIST
“Need is subjective,” he tells BAZAAR.com. “I don't think anyone needs it, but there are people that can benefit from it”—like those with acne-prone skin or those concerned with signs of aging. If you have rosacea, psoriasis, or are eczema prone, then retinols are not really for you.
Yes. In fact, retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, try to use them at night because light and air deactivate some types. If you experience any side effects — like skin redness or dryness — then it's a good idea to back down to once every 2 or 3 nights.
You see, retinol impacts your skin's normal function, and when you stop it your skin has to re-learn how to regulate itself properly again. So typically when people stop using it they experience either bad acne or bad dryness for a few weeks afterwards.
Retinol can penetrate deep into your skin's layers to activate collagen and elastin, which give your skin structure and support to prevent wrinkles. You can apply products that contain retinoids at home directly onto your skin as you would a lotion or a moisturizer.
There are many types of collagen, but there are 3 that are found most commonly in the body. Type I and type III are generally found in skin, so they're considered the best for supporting healthy skin ageing and maintaining a smooth, glowing complexion.
“My go-to collagen routine is adding Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in my morning cup of coffee or smoothie – so easy to use,” she said. The Friends star also acknowledged how this product has showcased the “passion for health and wellness” that she's had over the years.
With age, the amount of collagen in our bodies diminishes and collagen production slows. Collagen is more powerful as an active ingredient than hyaluronic acid to help treat sagging skin and give your complexion a firmer, more youthful glow.