What is the best age to start taking collagen supplements?

At Absolute Collagen, one of the questions we hear a lot is ‘What age should I start taking collagen?’ While there is a lot of information around when to take collagen supplements, we have all the expert guidance you need to know about when wrinkles start to appear and why taking collagen can help, below. 

Looking for information about when is the best time of day to take collagen? Take a read of our article on How to Take Collagen for all your questions answered. 

Average wrinkles by age: What age do you get wrinkles? 

Our bodies naturally produce our own collagen, which is then used in our skin, hair, nails, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and more. 

From birth to the age of approximately 20, our collagen levels gradually increase, and from 20-25 years old an optimum level of collagen is maintained. This is when our natural collagen levels peak. 

After the age of 25, our collagen levels start to decline with many seeing some wrinkles at 30 around the eyes and forehead.

In most cases, from the age of 30 onwards you can expect the amount of collagen in your body to decrease over time - even by as little as just 1 or 2% per year. This reduction is the body's response to the ageing process and is a natural part of what happens as we age as the protein structures within our bodies begin to reduce flexibility and are more likely to break or be degraded over time.

While our levels of collagen decrease gradually from the ages of 25-49, this decrease accelerates around the age of 50, which, for women, often marks the beginning of perimenopause. This is often the time that  people start to wonder whether now would be a good age to start taking collagen as part of their ageing skin care routine, or might  look into using collagen supplements to boost collagen production in the skin.

By the age of 60-70 wrinkles are most prominent as natural collagen production is very low at this time. By this time most people are already experiencing the most visible, prominent signs of ageing, including thinning hair, brittle nails and dry skin. 

Looking to use collagen as skin care for wrinkles? Shop our award winning marine collagen supplement to begin your Absolute Collagen journey today!

How is collagen made in the body?

To understand the statement 'at what age does collagen production increase', you first need to understand what collagen is and what happens to its production over the average human lifespan.

Found just about everywhere in the body, there is a range of different types of collagen, from type I to type V.

But these different categories all have one thing in common; they're created from the same protein substance.

In fact, 25% of our body's protein is formed from collagen, making it one of the most essential substances within our body.

For plumped skin with fewer wrinkles, collagen is a must. It's the glue that holds our body together; the cement between the bricks that ensures the whole house doesn't fall down.

Collagen is found in just about every part of your body, from your hair to your nails, your bones to your organs and joints.

Type I collagen, the most common of these proteins, has a strength higher than steel. It functions by providing a support structure for your body - the equivalent of the frame of a house.

It works to bind cells together as well as forming strands to support other bodily systems such as the skin and connective tissues.

What are the causes and signs that collagen production is decreasing? 

A common misconception is that the signs of ageing only start in your 30s or 40s. In fact, you may notice signs of lower collagen production even earlier, especially if other environmental and lifestyle factors are exacerbating them.  

Along with natural ageing and the menopause, some of the most common long-term causes of collagen depletion are: 

• Long-term UV damage 
• Diets high in sugars and fats
• Stress  
• Late nights 
• Heavy drinking 
• Smoking 

Those who often do some or all of the above are more likely to notice signs of ageing and will see their collagen production reduce a lot earlier than someone of the same age who has not followed the same lifestyle. 

But what exactly are the signs of low collagen production? 

Well, the main places to look are around the eyes and mouth. The delicate skin around our eyes is particularly susceptible to signs of ageing, so you may notice fine lines and creases beginning to form. Around the mouth, you may see lines from the edge of your nose to the corners of your mouth starting to deepen, and your jawline might start to subtly lose definition or sag. 

Plus, you might notice skin isn’t as soft and dewy as it once was; it may feel rough to the touch or become slightly discoloured. If you notice all or some of these changes, this may be a sign that you should think about increasing your collagen levels with a collagen supplement as part of your ageing skin care routine.

What less collagen does to the body

There are several noticeable effects of less collagen in the body, but the one which is most advertised and talked about is the reduction of elasticity in the skin.

Collagen is required to create the smooth, more 'bouncy' looking skin that indicates youth, and is often the focus of collagen-based skincare routines and products.

Having less collagen in your body leads to skin that is duller, and often, older skin sags more over time.

Wrinkles are another visible effect of the reduction of collagen in the body, a common indicator of age.

Scarring on the skin - from acne, injury or otherwise - also tends to become more prominent, as the body doesn't have the same capacity to recreate the youthful skin it once had.

Why take collagen as you get older? 

There are a multitude of benefits to taking collagen as you get older. Once your body stops producing its own collagen, collagen supplements help to tell the  body to kickstart its own natural collagen production once more. For those wondering why you should take collagen supplements, the results speak volumes.  

People who take collagen supplements report a more youthful complexion, gorgeous hair, and stronger nails, along with improved connective tissues of the joints. It’s truly beauty from the inside out! 

Take a look below at some of the other amazing benefits of taking collagen: 

• Glowing skin 
• Plumper skin 
• Reduced fine lines and wrinkles 
• Improved hair health 
• Stronger nails  
• Improves ligament and tendon health 
• Boosts muscle mass  
• Improves activity levels 
• Supports healthy weight loss 

For more on the science of taking collagen, take a look at the efficacy of our collagen supplements here. 

Can you reverse collagen loss?

Collagen drinks or liquid collagen supplements are one example of an effective way to reintroduce extra collagen into the system in order to gain the anti-ageing properties of the protein.

So, when should I start taking collagen? 

The good news is that you can start taking collagen supplements as early as you like and see results within a few months! Deciding when to take collagen truly is a personal decision.

Best of all, it’s never too late to start taking collagen. Whether you are starting to notice subtle, early signs of ageing or want to counter more visible signs of getting older, people of all ages can benefit from taking collagen supplements to boost their collagen production.  

To gain the maximum benefit, you could start taking collagen supplements in your 20s and  maintain this throughout your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. That said, Absoluters of all ages report great results with our product, so it’s never too late to kickstart your collagen  production! Taking collagen during these years is often found to be a great way to stop the appearance of under eye creases and enhance the skin’s natural elasticity.

And it’s easy to see why taking collagen is a favoured skin care routine for wrinkles. A recent survey of 3,500 Absoluters found that 78% saw results within just 12 weeks, and 93% said their skin felt softer. For more collagen supplement reviews and information on how long until collagen supplements show results, take a look at our Success Stories. 

Ultimately, the age you want to start taking collagen supplements is a personal decision. Just  know that Team AC will be here to support you and guide you through your Absolute Collagen journey when you decide the time is right for you to start taking collagen. 

"Over a year now. Liquid gold, can't say enough about it. Would advise all my age group to take." -Anne K

Browse our liquid collagen products and collagen boosting serum to see if trying collagen is right for you. For any queries, take a look at the science of collagen supplements or feel free to get in touch with any questions - we’re always happy to help!