The Importance of Collagen and Elastin: Their Functions and How You Can Help Them
One of the most common signs of aging is the loss of skin elasticity. This is due to our body not producing enough elastin proteins. This article will help define what elastin is and what it does, how it is different from collagen, and how you can help retain your skin’s elasticity.
What is Elastin?
Elastin is a protein that is responsible for the elastic integrity of our skin. This protein can be found mostly in the middle layer of the dermis- it is the dominant protein in the lungs, aorta, and skin. It does not only provide elasticity to our skin, but also to our blood vessels, tendons, heart, lungs, and other major body organs as well. It functions as a team with collagen, which provides the polar opposite to elasticity: rigidity. On average, elastin is 1000 times more flexible than collagen!
Mutations of elastin can cause certain diseases such as Williams-Beuren syndrome, cutis laxa, and supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS).
Our bodies usually stop producing elastin after it reaches puberty, so you can tell how it might wear out as we age.
What is the Difference Between Elastin and Collagen?
These two are often referred to in close succession, but it is important to note that they are not the same thing. They work as a team. As mentioned, elastin is responsible for keeping the elastic integrity of our skin, blood vessels, and a large majority of our body parts. Collagen is the most abundant protein we have in our body- it accounts for nearly 30% of the entire protein content of our bodies! A collagen is a group of proteins that are found in our fibrous connective tissues, usually in lower dermis layers. Collagen proteins are responsible for being a type of “cellular glue” for these connective tissues, which gives them their shape and keeps them rigid and strong.
Collagen can be thought of as the base, a strong framework that gives the skin strength and a strong foundation while elastin is soft- allowing the skin to return to its original shape (which it has due to collagen).
Sidenote: You've probably heard of or are familiar with the health benefits of collagen protein powder. Reputable collagen powder products offer a wide spectrum of health benefits: everything from fighting the effects of aging to enhancing weight loss to reducing joint pain...
As you can see, both of these proteins are needed in order to keep the skin’s shape and firmness. The rigidity from the collagen works in tandem with the elasticity provided by the elastic. This teamwork can be witnessed when we make an expression, such as smiling, and then return to a resting state. That is collagen and elastin working together.
How Does Elastin Affect the Skin’s Appearance?
Both elastin and collagen- or the lack thereof rather- are usually the culprits when sagging skin or wrinkles are present. As we age, we produce less and less of these proteins- often causing these undesirable symptoms. Additionally, if your skin has suffered sun damage from UV rays, your collagen production rate is slowed even more. Harmful UV rays affect connective tissues in our skin, therefore that framework we mentioned starts to cave and bend in unnatural ways, causing wrinkles. Further, this lack of elastin and collagen production will cause your wounds to heal more slowly and your skin to become thinner, making it more susceptible to environmental invaders.
How You Can Help Your Skin
Don’t worry, this isn’t a whole long scary post about aging with no solution. At Veritas Bioactives, we offer several solutions that will help combat the dreaded signs of aging!
Iconic: Corrective C3 Peptide Complex
This product is chock full of three different types of Vitamin C, which will give your skin a much-needed boost- making it appear smoother and wrinkle-free. It combines plant stem cells and peptides that help strengthen and improve elasticity while producing “hydrating hyaluronic acid” that moisturizes. The complex also creates more mature and stable collagen that is resistant to degradation.
Honour: Aqua Vitae- Youth Recovery Crème
Aqua Vitae is one of the most coveted Bioactives products. This multifunctional lotion is full of essential antioxidants and nutrients for the skin. It is luxurious and velvety smooth on the skin, providing intense hydration and age-delaying cell support as well as preventative anti-aging benefits. Our crème offers an appearance similar to Botox in that fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed with consistent application once or twice daily.
This complex is a breakthrough in retinoid technology, offering unparalleled results when it comes to wrinkle reduction and preventative aging. It is also great for decreasing redness and inflammation contributed to sun damage, rosacea, and/or acne. It can be used for all skin types- including sensitive skin- and should be applied to the face every day during your PM regimen.
These are just three examples of the relief you can find in our products. We have so much more! Visit the Veritas Bioactives website to find more products that can help you achieve your beauty goals!
For a deeper dive into the world of collagen, be sure to check out this article: 13 Reasons Why Collagen Is Your Best Body Booster
