Collagen and Elastin—Why They Matter and How to Keep Them Strong!

As a skincare brand, we’re no strangers to navigating our customers' questions. Recently, one of our loyal customers had a few questions about collagen and elastin, and we thought this topic was worth discussing on a larger scale. So, we’re sharing this information with you, our readers, to help everyone understand these essential skin proteins found in our skin better.

In the skincare world, we often hear buzzwords like collagen and elastin, but do we know what they do for our skin? Collagen and elastin give your skin the youthful bounce and firmness we all love. But as we age, we begin to lose that firm feeling, and signs of aging like fine lines, loss of smoothness, and, yes, loss of firmness start to creep in.

So, let’s explore how to protect and support these key proteins to keep your skin looking and feeling younger…longer!

Collagen and Elastin: The Dynamic Duo for Youthful Skin!

You may wonder, “Aren’t collagen and elastin both responsible for making my skin look youthful?” The answer is yes! But while they work together to maintain your skin’s structure and resilience, they serve distinct roles!

Think of collagen as the skin’s backbone, holding everything up, taut, and in place. Elastin, on the other hand, is what allows your skin to stretch and snap back into place. It’s responsible for that bouncy, plump look we all continue to chase as we age. 

Here’s the not-so-cute truth: collagen production starts to decline as early as your mid-twenties. While the changes may not be noticeable immediately, by the time you reach your 30s and 40s, the natural aging process, combined with lifestyle factors like sun exposure, diet, and stress, takes a visible toll.

Elastin also takes a hit over time. As its production slows down, the skin becomes less flexible, making it harder to bounce back after stretching. 

While we can’t stop the clock (and let’s be honest—we’re grateful for every year we get to celebrate!), we can take steps to support our skin’s health. By adding in mindful lifestyle habits and using high-quality skincare, we can help maintain a firm, radiant complexion well into our 40s, 50s, and beyond.

The key? Start early, stay consistent, and give your skin the care it deserves!

Lifestyle Factors That Naturally Support Your Collagen and Elastin

At Honey Girl Organics, we’re all about holistic skincare. We know that adding a fabulous skincare routine to your daily life isn’t the only way to support your skin. Here are a few simple, beloved ways we at Honey Girl Organics support the health of our skin beyond skincare products:

Feed Your Skin

We’ve seen a rise in holistic content creators recommending “eating your skincare,” we love this trend because it’s essential for your skin’s health! A diet rich in Vitamin C is a must. If you’re into veggies, load your plate with kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. If fruit is more your thing, try adding strawberries, oranges, and cherries. In addition to Vitamin C, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fish, seeds, and nuts are also great for your skin.

Protect Your Skin

Year-round environmental protection is one of the best ways to protect collagen and elastin, as UV exposure can accelerate the breakdown of both proteins. So, no matter how shady it looks outside, protect and shield your skin to preserve the bounce you want to keep!

Looking for sun protection with safe ingredients? Protect is made of 20% uncoated non-nano zinc oxide and protects against UVA/UVB rays, blue light, and even pollution!

Think of Your Skin

This one’s a broader lifestyle factor: consider your skin’s health before indulging in habits that may be harmful, like drinking excessive alcohol, smoking, or using tanning beds. These habits can damage the skin and negatively affect the health and structure of collagen and elastin.

Kicking bad habits supports not only your overall health but also the appearance and youthfulness of your skin.

Can Skincare Products Help with Collagen and Elastin?

Absolutely! The key to deeply nourishing and supporting your skin is choosing high-quality, organic, natural products with ingredients that promote collagen production and protect against damage.

One product we love that helps boost collagen production is our Super Skin Food. This highly concentrated, deeply healing formula contains organic ingredients like honey, beeswax, and extra virgin olive oil. Did you know these powerhouse ingredients help support collagen production? That’s why we call them our “star ingredients,” and for good reason!

💛 Honey is rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from oxidative stress, a significant cause of collagen breakdown. It also helps stimulate collagen production, promoting a more youthful complexion.

🐝 Beeswax creates a protective, breathable barrier on the skin, locking in nutrients like Vitamin A, which is essential for collagen support while blocking out harmful bacteria and other environmental stressors.

🌿 Extra virgin olive oil helps to improve skin elasticity with its healthy fatty acids and antioxidants. It’s also rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which help protect against age-accelerating free radicals, keeping the skin firm with continued use.

These three ingredients packed inside Super Skin Food help support your skin’s vital proteins, give you that firmness we all want, and nourish your skin deeply to preserve the current collagen structure and help build it as you continue using!

The best part is that this product can be used all over your body, not just your face. Be sure to tend to the back of your hands, neck, and chest, as these areas are often the first to show signs of aging!

Of course, this isn’t the only product that supports collagen and elastin. Many Honey Girl Organics products feature our 3 star ingredients, so whatever products you’re currently using (or thinking about adding to your cart) will help support these proteins for your skin.

When you combine Honey Girl Organics skincare products with healthy lifestyle habits and a focus on your overall health, you’ll support the firmness and vitality of your skin—no matter your age!

Here’s to aging gracefully, supporting your skin with intention, and discovering new ways to elevate your skincare routine with Honey Girl Organics.

With love,
Ashley and Honey Girl Organics