the science: your skin
Skin is the largest organ in the human body and as it is exposed to environmental stress, it is the most tell tale indicator of our age and lifestyle.
Your skin can be divided into two layers:
- The epidermis: an outer barrier layer
- The dermis: an inner structural layer
Collagen is a simple protein made up of amino acids.
The collagen matrix is responsible for skin support, firmness, elasticity, hydration and the constant production of new skin cells.
The more collagen you have, the more healthy, elastic and supple your skin is and the more youthful it appears. Alarmingly, we lose 1.5% of the collagen in our skin each year after the age of 20. This loss results in skin aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, dry, blemished and thinning skin.
skin aging
Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and loss of youthful plumpness, combined with a natural decline in the body’s ability to regenerate new cells, are all visible signs of aging. Environmental aggressors such as UV rays, cold and pollution cause dull, rough, dry skin and fine lines and wrinkles.
Over the past decade, intensive research into skin aging has shown that the major differentiator between youthful and aging skin is the health and integrity of the collagen matrix in the dermis, the support structure below the skin’s surface.
In aging skin, the collagen matrix is weakened, broken and fragmented, impairing the structure of the dermis. As the collagen matrix degenerates it becomes brittle, fragile and loses its capacity to maintain hydration.
Maintaining the health and structure of the collagen matrix is key to targeting these skin concerns and can dramatically improve the skin’s youthful, healthy appearance.
Studies show that the most effective way to maintain the collagen matrix is to boost the body’s own production of collagen by ingesting collagen peptides.
mechanism of action
Our patent-pending formula utilizes high-grade collagen and essential micronutrients to help your body rebuild and strengthen the collagen matrix.
The hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides in skinade have a low molecular weight. The collagen fibers formed, strengthen the collagen matrix in the dermis. Collagen improves skin elasticity by increasing the density of fibroblasts (the cells responsible for rebuilding connective tissue), improves skin hydration and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Drinking skinade also stimulates the body’s own natural collagen production. When the body senses collagen in the blood stream, it stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts reinforcing the collagen matrix and playing a critical role in wound healing.
This dual action makes skinade a highly effective skincare solution. Consumed on a daily basis, it effectively returns your body to a younger state of collagen production, resulting in a visibly more youthful appearance.
your collagen
the key to youthful skin
Collagen accounts for 75% of youthful skin, forming the main structural element of the skin in the collagen matrix in the dermis. It provides the structure supporting the epidermis and gives your skin its youthful fullness. When collagen molecules are damaged, skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag, wrinkle and age.
collagen’s structure
Collagen is composed of three chains wound tightly around each other creating a three-dimensional, triple helix structure. These chains are made up of the amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Hydroxyproline plays a particularly important role in stabilising the collagen triple helix, preventing it from being broken down and eliminated by the body; a process that causes skin aging.
Results show that replenishing these three amino acids, the vital building blocks of the collagen in our skin and connective tissue, helps slow down the aging process.
The vital hydroxyproline is created by modifying proline after the collagen chain has been formed – a process which requires vitamin C. Our bodies cannot produce vitamin C naturally, and if we don’t get enough in our diets, the results can be dangerous – not only for our skin, but for all the connective tissues in our body.
In order to maintain healthy skin function, and to help with the natural production of collagen, it’s imperative to have a bio-available source of vitamin C.
the role of fibroblasts
In addition to its structural role, collagen also regulates the activity of fibroblasts in the skin. Fibroblasts are the cells that are responsible for rebuilding the connective tissue, including the collagen matrix in the dermis, and they play a critical role in wound healing.
As the body ages, it loses the ability to produce new collagen. This affects the production and activity of the fibroblasts, which, in turn, produce less and less collagen over time.
Alongside the reduction in your body’s ability to produce new collagen, the aging process results in damage to the existing collagen matrix, which becomes fragmented and broken. Fibroblasts can no longer attach to fragmented collagen and perform their regenerative function.
In older skin, collapsed fibroblasts produce low levels of collagen and high levels of collagen-degrading enzymes that further damage the proteins forming the collagen matrix. This is a continuous, self-destructive cycle that accelerates the aging process.
Studies* have concluded that treatments which stimulate the proliferation of new, non-fragmented collagen can provide substantial improvement to the appearance and health of aged skin.
skinade’s advanced anti-aging formula stimulates the production of new, undamaged collagen. Fibroblasts are able to attach themselves to this new collagen structures and this, in turn, balances the body’s own natural collagen synthesis, reversing the self-destructive aging process.**
* Clinical trial results (YNTKK-2008-4144 and 2008-A00654-51)
** National Institute of Health: Public Access Author Manuscript, Arch Dermatol. 17 June 2010
the collagen in skinade
In the nutricosmetics industry, collagen peptides from marine sources are growing in popularity due to their high quality and efficacy. However, in order to be beneficial to the skin, collagen peptides must be bio-available, they need to be easily and quickly absorbed by the body.
skinade contains pure hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides sourced from the skin of fresh-water fish, which are low in sodium and eliminate the potential for mercury contamination. Our peptides are extracted using a gentle enzymatic hydrolysis process to achieve the lowest possible molecular weight (2kDal). The lower the molecular weight, the easier it is for the body to absorb the collagen.
Once hydrolyzed the peptides are stable and soluble. Hydrolyzed marine collagen proteins are known to be the most abundant in Type I and Type III collagen, the same type that is found in the skin. Studies* have shown that fragmentation of collagen fibers leads to a decrease in total collagen, mainly Type I and Type III, and accelerates the aging process – especially above 60 years of age.
The low molecular weight of our collagen makes it more bio-available and, therefore, beneficial to the body. Several studies* demonstrate the bio-availability of our hydrolyzed collagen peptides. Results show that, after being ingested orally, more than 90% of hydrolyzed collagen peptides are absorbed by the body, with 95% absorbed within the first 12 hours.
Collagen peptides may also trigger the body’s own natural process of collagen production by stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts – the cells responsible for new collagen generation. This is evident in the increase in fibroblast density and the diameter of collagen fibers in the skin, both of which improve the skin’s strength, suppleness and structure.
Clinical studies** also show that the collagen we use in skinade improves skin hydration and smoothness, therefore, it is also likely to boost cell turnover. By stimulating collagen synthesis, collagen peptides improve the water-binding ability of the outer layer of skin, reducing fine lines and preventing the formation of deep wrinkles.
Taken daily for up to 12 weeks, these placebo-controlled double blind studies on 186 participants showed that the collagen peptides in skinade:
- Increase skin hydration levels
- Increase skin smoothness by reducing the number of fine lines
- Prevent the formation of deep wrinkles
- Improve skin suppleness.
* Baroni et al, 2012
** Clinical trial results (YNTKK-2008-4144 and 2008-A00654-51)
the studies
Comprehensive clinical studies confirm that the collagen peptides in skinade offer exciting new anti-aging and overall skin health benefits.
The effectiveness of skinade collagen peptides was tested in two clinical studies carried out in France and Japan on 80 women aged 35 to 59. One group of women were given 10g of collagen peptides to take orally while a control group were given a placebo.
Prior to each measurement and skin analysis, the volunteers were placed in a room with controlled temperature and humidity for 20 minutes to ensure consistent and accurate results.
The group who were given the collagen peptides showed a range of skin health improvements compared to the placebo group:
skinade collagen peptides increase skin hydration levels by 28%
A corneometer, designed to test hydration levels of the epidermis, was used to measure moisture levels in the skin.
Results:
After 8 weeks, 91% of the peptide group showed a significant improvement in skin hydration by up to 28% compared to the placebo group.
skinade collagen peptides smooth fine lines by 26% and prevent deep wrinkle formation
Polymer silicone skin prints were taken of each subject’s face at different times of measurement and studied using scientific tools designed to analyse the skin.
Results:
After 12 weeks, the number of micro-relief furrows significantly decreased by 26% in the peptide group. In the placebo group, the number of deep wrinkles increased by 30%.
skinade collagen peptides increase skin suppleness by 19%
A cutometer was used to measure micro-relief furrows and wrinkles as well as the time skin takes to return to its original state.
Results:
After 6 weeks, 77% of the peptide group’s micro-relief furrows decreased by 41% and after 12 weeks, 68% of the group showed a 17% decrease in total wrinkle surface.
Conclusion:
Taken orally, the collagen peptides in skinade significantly improve basic skin condition and structure. Taken on a daily basis, they help to increase skin hydration levels; improve skin tone, radiance and structure; and reduce fine lines as well as prevent the formation of deep wrinkles.
ingredients
Water, hydrolyzed marine collagen, concentrated grape juice, methylsulphonylmethane (MSM), citric acid, natural flavorings, calcium ascorbate, Vitamin B complex (B3 (nicotinamide), B5 (calcium pantothenate), B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), B1 (thiamine hydrochloride), B2 (riboflavin), B7 (L-biotin), B9 (folic acid), B12 (cobalamin), L-lysine, preservative: potassium sorbate, organic flax seed oil, sweetener: sucralose.
Each bottle (150ml / 5FL OZ) and sachet (15ml / 0.5 FL OZ) contain:
frequently asked questions
From about the age of 20 onwards, we lose between 1-1.5% of the collagen in our skin each year. From the age of 30 our collagen production is significantly reduced. Collagen loss results in wrinkles, fine lines and dry, blemished or thinning skin.