Beauty Blog

Adding Peptan® collagen to your diet is one powerful way to support your beauty regime. Here are a handful of other natural ways to supplement your daily routine and keep yourself looking radiant:

Upgrade your pillowcase

Instead of coarser fabrics, opt for a soft, silky – even real silk –pillowcase. This will decrease the friction and skin compression that leaves us with those unwanted sleep lines every morning. If you sleep on your side, try switching sides regularly; better yet – sleep on your back wherever possible. Don’t lose sleep over sleep positions though, because quality sleep equals beauty sleep.

Dry brush your skin

This includes using long, sweeping strokes over the entire body – particularly legs and thighs – with a natural bristle brush. Dry brushing has an impressive array of health benefits when practised habitually. It helps shed dead skin cells, improves skin texture (yes, that means cellulite) and promotes cell renewal. It also increases circulation to your skin, and powerfully supports the lymphatic drainage of the entire body.

Get rebounding

This fun and effective form of exercising not only burns more calories than traditional cardio like running and cycling, but it lubricates joints with no impact, combats cellulite, and tautens skin too.

Water, water, water

It’s a cliché for a reason. Drinking enough water is essential for overall good health, helping with every process in the body, from digestion and circulation to absorption and even excretion. Skin cells – like every other cell in the body – are made up of water, so plenty of quality fluids are essential for glowing skin too. Think filtered water, water with fresh lemon, homemade iced teas and coconut water. High quality hydration belongs at the top of your daily to-do list.

Protect yourself from the sun

SPF should be an essential part of your skincare routine, even if you don’t spend much time outdoors or are in a cooler climate. Our bodies are covered in clothing every day of the year, yet our faces are always exposed. Protection is a must.

Avoid added sugar

This is another one we hear regularly, with good reason. Sugar is the biggest contributor to inflammation in the body, and this shows up on the skin as acne, wrinkles and dry, itchy patches. Avoid processed foods with sugar high up on the ingredients list, and skip adding sugar to food and drinks.

Meet your micronutrient needs

Vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients are essential for our wellbeing – and healthy skin. Quality supplementation will keep your skin glowing, especially if you suffer from acne, eczema or other skin issues. 

Try a tea toner

Thanks to their antioxidant content, white and green teas have anti-inflammatory, brightening, evening, cleansing and hydrating properties when applied topically to the skin. Steep your chosen teabag for 5 minutes, then allow to cool. Apply to your face with cotton pads, or pour it into a spray bottle and spritz onto clean skin.

Use tea tree oil daily

We’re well-versed on the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory power of tea tree oil, but you may not know that it can help reduce mild to moderate acne breakouts too. Tea tree oil is powerful, so simply add one or two drops to a single application of your cleanser, serum or moisturiser.

There are many different types of collagen in our body, but 80-90% of them belong to Type I, II or III.

Different types of collagen

Type I collagen accounts for more than 90% of organic mass of bone and is also the major component of our skin, tendons and ligaments. Type I collagen fibrils have enormous tensile strength – meaning they can be stretched without being broken. Gram for gram, type I collagen is stronger than steel. Type III collagen fibres are normally found alongside type I.

Collagen fibres make up 70-95% of our cartilage and are responsible for its structure and strength. Type II collagen is the predominant collagen in cartilage.

In order to maintain healthy joints, our bodies need building blocks that will support tissue regeneration. Collagen peptides are a source of bioactive peptides. This means that collagen peptides actively support healthy cartilage and joint function.

How it works

Get ready for a biology lesson! Human cartilage contains cellular building blocks (chondrocytes). These produce the extracellular matrix, which consists of collagen fibres and proteoglycans. Collagen fibres in cartilage are responsible for its structure and strength, while proteoglycans lubricate and cushion our joints.

Healthy cartilage relies on a finely balanced process that breaks down collagen and certain proteoglycans and replaces them both with a newly-formed matrix. If the process is disturbed, increased matrix breakdown leads to a loss of cartilage and joint function. Peptan® collagen peptides are designed to keep this process in balance.

Proven joint benefits of Peptan®

• Reducing joint discomfort and stiffness
• Increasing collagen and certain proteoglycan production
• Helping to prevent cartilage degeneration and support healthy joints
• Uniquely helping to reduce joint inflammation, a leading cause of joint discomfort

 Additional facts highlighted by recent scientific studies:

• Subjects with the greatest joint deterioration benefited the most from the effects of collagen peptides.
• Healthy athletes with reduced joint discomfort also benefited from collagen peptides when walking, standing or carrying objects.

We've spared you the scientific details, and simply listed the proven benefits of Peptan® here. However, you can check this page to read the scientific studies and findings in more detail.

The skin is a multi-functional organ (the largest in the body), and its appearance generally mirrors the health and efficiency of its underlying structures.

The skin’s fundamental role is to act as a protective barrier against damage from the external environment, providing shielding from UV irradiation, pathogens, toxicity and dehydration. Being in constant contact with the external environment, the skin is subject to more damage than most of our other organs, and is where the first visible signs of ageing appear.

Skin composition

The skin is composed of two layers: an outer epidermal layer - the protective interface between the external environment and our body tissues - and the inner dermal layer, which ensures strength and elasticity and provides nutritional support to the epidermis. Within the dermis is a matrix of complex proteins, which are particularly rich in collagen fibres. This constitutes about 75% of the dermis, water weight aside. Fibroblasts - cells in the dermis - are heavily involved in the synthesis of the matrix components, including collagen.

Nutrients and skin

Nutritional status is important for skin health and appearance. Evidence of this is seen in many vitamin deficiency diseases which result in significant disorders of the skin. The vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy is characterised by skin fragility, easy bruising, bleeding gums and corkscrew hairs, as well as impaired wound healing. This is because vitamin C is needed for making collagen, an important component in connective tissues.

ALSO SEE: Results From Scientific Collagen Studies

Vitamin C and collagen synthesis

In collagen synthesis, amongst other roles, vitamin C helps other elements (proline and lysine) stabilise the collagen molecule. Vitamin C deficiency is associated with the loss of a number of important skin functions. In particular, poor wound healing (associated with collagen formation.)

Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, supporting important and well-known functions, stimulating collagen synthesis, assisting in antioxidant protection against sun damage, and also helping to hinder hyperpigmentation.

Buffered vitamin C

We’ve added 500mg of buffered vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) to each serving of Beauty Gen Beauty Greens®. Calcium ascorbate is buffered with calcium and is a less acidic form of vitamin C. Calcium ascorbate is gentler on the stomach than regular vitamin C, helping to support overall wellness.

Buy your Beauty Greens® here

This is a popular question we get asked since both our products contain Peptan® collagen. Collagen is a form of protein, so the first thing to determine is how much protein one’s body needs daily. 

Daily protein requirements

The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, but the right amount of protein for any individual depends on a bunch of factors, including activity level, age, muscle mass, physique goals and current state of health. For example, expert panels say physically active individuals need more protein than average: from 1.4 grams up to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight daily.

Protein, amino acids and collagen

There are many different sources of proteins and each source contains different amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Different amino acids provide for many functions in the body, so taking in a well-balanced, varied diet with many different sources of proteins is what benefits our bodies the most.

Collagen is high in three amino acids that you won't find enough of in plant protein, whey protein and muscle meat proteins. If you want to get technical, they're called: glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. A collagen supplement therefore provides the body with the building blocks needed to build collagen – the fibrous protein that keeps our skin firm, hair and nails strong, and our bones, joints and cartilage healthy.

The benefits of taking collagen supplements daily

Collagen is a well known all-natural supplement with very few side effects. Hydrolysed collagen has a very low molecular weight and is therefore easy for the body to absorb, and is generally well-tolerated.

Most studies relating to skin health have been performed using 10g of collagen peptides a day. Peptan®’s latest study utilised 5g per day. Both doses have been shown to benefit the skin and hair. You can read about these studies in full here: Beauty Gen Studies 

Peptan® has also performed studies using 15g of collagen peptides, and 20g (10g x twice daily) in relation to sports nutrition - where the protein requirements in individuals were higher. In both these studies, an improved quality of life was reported. (Besides the mild, uncomfortable side effects of taking in too much collagen - feeling overly full - there is not necessarily a point of taking too much collagen.)

The bottom line

So, what do all of the stats above tell us? Well, based on the science, consuming up to 20g of collagen peptides per day is recommended for most optimal results. This is especially in the case of increased protein requirements. Since single servings of Beauty Greens® and Naked Collagen® each offer roughly 10g of collagen protein, taking both daily perfectly meets the suggested daily requirements. We'd suggest splitting the dose into 2 servings, so as not to feel overly full. We'd also recommend including various sources of protein in the diet, to benefit from the different amino acids.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, constituting 70% of our skin.

The bad news? The collagen matrix that provides skin firmness and structure starts to break down with age. Our skin becomes dehydrated and thinner, and fine lines, wrinkles and deeper furrows start to appear.

Science says nutrition can positively influence our skin by contributing to optimum levels of well-organised collagen fibres.

Collagen peptides, in particular, have proven skin beauty benefits, contributing to healthier, younger-looking skin.

Many studies have shown that Peptan® has a positive effect on the composition of the skin. Peptan® stimulates the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which results in increased skin hydration, firmer skin and decreased wrinkles and fine lines.

Here are five incredible anti-ageing benefits of Peptan® - backed by science:

Anti-ageing Peptan® benefit: Restructuring collagen 

A randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial showed an improvement in the skin’s collagen structure and density after 12 weeks of Peptan® intake (10g daily).
 
9% improvement in skin collagen density
31% decrease in skin collagen fragmentation

Anti-ageing Peptan®benefit: Increase skin hydration 

A randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial showed that after 8 weeks of Peptan® intake (10g daily), skin hydration level is increased.
 
28% increase in skin hydration
91% of the research group reported higher skin hydration level

Anti-ageing Peptan® benefit: Stimulating hyaluronic acid and collagen synthesis 

Demonstrated in an ex vivo study, Peptan® stimulates collagen production and moisture by increasing the amount of water-binding hyaluronic acid in the epidermis.
 
Peptan® strongly increased the amount of hyaluronic acid present in the epidermis.

Anti-ageing Peptan® benefit: Increasing the strength of hair 

The same clinical trial showed that Peptan® increases the mechanical strength of hair, especially important for ageing hair, which is thinner and weaker than in younger people.
 
13% increase in the mechanical strength of hair in 90 days
 
These results show that Peptan® collagen peptides are a very powerful nutricosmetics supplement. Peptan® supplementation helps make skin denser and better-looking, and strengthens hair.

Anti-ageing Peptan® benefit: Reducing wrinkles around the eye 

A randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial showed that after 90 days of Peptan® intake (5g daily), participants showed significant improvements in the overall appearance of the skin.
 
13% decrease in periorbital wrinkles (around the eyes)
10% decrease in nasolabial wrinkles (from bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth)

A reduction of the visibility of pores in the region of the cheekbones in 57% of the Peptan®-supplemented participants.

Pretty impressive stuff, huh? Get your Naked Collagen now to start reaping the benefits: Shop Naked Collagen

All women, everywhere... Rejoice! There IS a solution to unsightly cellulite. Well, at least a way to improve the appearance of it long-term. Here's the good news in science lingo:

"Long-term therapy with orally administered collagen peptides leads to an improvement of cellulite."

What causes cellulite?

As we know, cellulite is a complex problem that affects about 85% of women over the age of 20. It occurs mainly on the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen and is characterised by orange peel or cottage cheese appearance.

Factors linked to cellulite include genetics, gender, age, ethnicity, diet, sedentary lifestyle, and pregnancy. It is characterised by the presence of:

• Excess fat bulges to the dermis
• Blood and lymphatic disturbances
• Altered dermal extracellular matrix

Although cellulite is often present in healthy individuals with a normal body weight, it is exacerbated by being overweight.

How to treat cellulite

When it comes to combatting this unwanted visitor, it is known that improving dermal strength and skin elasticity are two important therapeutic aims. Oral therapy with bioactive collagen peptides (i.e. our Beauty Gen products) is based on the premise that specific collagen peptides can improve and increase dermal firmness and skin elasticity from the inside.

What science has to say

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, the efficacy of bioactive collagen peptides on the cellulite treatment of normal and overweight women was investigated.

The results of the study demonstrated that a regular ingestion of collagen peptides over a period of 6 months led to a clear improvement of the skin appearance in women suffering from moderate cellulite. Based on the current data, it can be concluded that a long-term therapy with orally administered collagen peptides leads to an improvement of cellulite and has a positive impact on skin health.

Ready to start saying goodbye to that cottage cheese and orange peel? Shop our Beauty Gen products here: Shop Beauty Gen Online

Study ref: Schunck, M. et al. (2015). Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology. Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 18, pp. 1340–1348.

It can be a little tricky navigating your way through the many different types of collagen. If you want to know exactly why we use Peptan® collagen peptides (and are ready for a little science lesson), read on!

What is Peptan®?

Peptan® is a natural, high-purity, bioactive product with an impressive protein content of over 97%. Being a Type 1 collagen, Peptan is identical to the collagen found in human bones and skin.

What are collagen peptides?

Collagen peptides are characterised by their high levels of amino acids - glycine, hydroxyproline, proline and alanine, to be precise. These peptides act as important signal molecules to stimulate cells, as well as building blocks supporting the connective tissues and musculoskeletal health. This specific combination of amino acids provides collagen peptides with their unique bioactive properties. Which you won't find in other protein sources.

What makes Peptan® so powerful?

Peptan® hydrolysed collagen peptides are easily digestible. This means they quickly reach the parts of your body where they are most needed – and with maximum effect. 90% of Peptan collagen peptides are digested and available within the connective tissues just a few hours after digestion. 

ALSO SEE: Beauty Greens With Peptan® Collagen

Peptan has gained worldwide recognition due to the substantial scientific evidence that backs it up. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies and results have been published in leading scientific journals. Peptan offers benefits in key areas of healthy ageing, skin beauty, joint and bone health and sports nutrition – a holistic solution to support skin beauty and also maintain the health of the musculoskeletal system.

The proven benefits of Peptan®

Peptan® has been scientifically proven to:

• support skin health
• increase skin hydration
• increase dermal density
• reduce wrinkles
• reduce visibility of pores
• increase strength of hair
• promote joint health
• promote bone health

Where does our Peptan® come from?

Peptan is manufactured by Rousselot in state-of-the-art HACCP- and ISO9001-certified plants which meet the highest international food quality standards, and ensure traceability of products and processes. The utmost care is taken in selecting materials as well as raw material suppliers, and submitting them to the strictest quality control programs.

Our Peptan (derived from bovine hides) is produced in Brazil where the cattle industry is still based on pasture-raised farming – giving Brazilian cattle an important advantage. Our Peptan is a premium, 100% natural collagen peptide product, sourced predominantly from grass-fed cattle, is safe and free from any preservatives or additives, and is certified Halaal & Kosher at the source.

You'll find our Peptan® collagen peptides in our Naked Collagen, available for purchase online.

If there’s one thing we often learn the hard way from food labels, it’s that ingredient names are regularly misused. It therefore becomes our duty as the individual to unpack exactly what a product is offering. As a beauty buzzword of the moment, collagen is being thrown onto the face of many beauty and health products. But there are many types of collagen, as well as other substances that it may be confused with. We thought we’d unpack three ingredient-names that often get misused: collagen, gelatin and collagen peptides.

Collagen

First things first, collagen is a safe and natural ingredient. It can be found in foods like bone broth and gelatin-desserts. Its solubility, absorption and digestibility levels vary from one grade to another. Native collagen – the kind that exists organically in our bodies – is composed of large chains of amino acids (protein) and strengthens the structure of our body. It is not soluble (that means it doesn’t dissolve).

Gelatin

Gelatin and collagen are often confused. Gelatin is obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen. Partial is the keyword here. For those of you ready for a science lesson, partial hydrolysis occurs when collagen’s large chains of amino acids are broken down and pulled apart into individual strands of protein. Gelatin will only dissolve in hot water and will jellify when it is cooled (this is the same gelatin you would get in the bone broth you prepare at home).

Collagen peptides

Now, when gelatin is hydrolysed even further, those individual strands of protein are broken down into small peptides of amino acids. Collagen peptides are soluble in cold water, highly digestible, rapidly absorbed and highly bioavailable (that means they have an active effect when introduced into the body).

In summary: we have collagen; when it breaks down partially it becomes gelatin; after it breaks down even further we have collagen peptides.

The power of collagen peptides

These collagen peptides, also known as hydrolysed collagen or collagen hydrolysate, act as building blocks, renewing bodily tissues, such as skin, bones and joints. It has also been proposed that they may act as a messenger to our cells, triggering the synthesis and reorganisation of new collagen fibres, thereby supporting our tissue structure.

A number of scientific studies have demonstrated the health benefits of collagen peptides, which are plentiful! They offer the most support to healthy ageing, joint and bone health, sports nutrition, skin beauty and hair health. This makes them a better option for functional foods and beverages and dietary supplements than gelatin. Consuming collagen peptides allows your body to maximise the benefits that collagen has to offer.

Peptan® collagen peptides are a pure and bioactive protein, derived from a 100% natural source and free from any side-effects. (If you want the scientific explanation, Peptan® collagen peptides are extracted from high-quality raw materials by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of natural native collagen and are purified and dried to produce a pure protein powder.) This is why we chose pure Peptan® collagen peptides for our Beauty Gen products – because collagen peptides are more effectively and easily absorbed and used in the body than other grades of collagen.

The solubility, absorption and digestibility of different grades of collagen:

So, there's a good reason collagen is a hot topic at the moment. Collagen is everywhere in our bodies. It's in our bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and skin, as well as our smooth muscle tissue, blood vessels and other organs. Collagen is even a major component of our hair and nails.

Collagen is the main protein in the connective tissues of our bodies and represents almost 30% of all human protein content. That's a pretty big deal. Think of it as, literally, the glue that holds everything together – a key structural protein that ensures the cohesion, elasticity and regeneration of all our connective tissues, strengthening the musculoskeletal system and the integrity of our skin.

Different cells in our body are responsible for the production of collagen. The cells use specific amino acids and peptides as building blocks for the production of the large collagen helix structure. This is then organized into the strong fibres that provide structural tissue support, flexibility and the ability to withstand forces.

Makes sense, then, that we'd want to make sure we have enough of it.

Collagen and ageing

With age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, bringing to light the first signs of ageing. For most of us, this process begins around the age of 30. In our 40s, it accelerates, adversely affecting our skin, joints and bones;

Skin: As our skin cells become less active, the collagen network that provides skin firmness and structure breaks down. Our skin becomes dehydrated and thinner, plus lines, wrinkles and deep furrows start to appear.

Bones: Our bone turnover becomes imbalanced; that means there is more bone loss than bone formation. This causes bones to become more fragile and easier to break.

Joints: Lower levels of collagen and other matrix components can cause loss of cartilage and joint function. This results in joint discomfort.

Muscles: A gradual loss of muscle mass and strength caused by ageing can affect our balance, gait and overall mobility.

Collagen in food

Collagen has a long history of use in foods, mainly in the form of gelatin found in gummies and desserts. Collagen is also naturally present in high amounts in some cooked foods, e.g. bone broth and in the skin of fish and chicken. Since ancient times, collagen has been known to benefit human health. For centuries, people have been consuming collagen in the form of bone broth to support their joint and bone health and in more recent times, to promote skin beauty.

The easiest way to take in more collagen

With our fast-paced lifestyles, who has the time to make bone broth!? We thought an easier solution was essential.

Our 5 in 1 Beauty Greens with Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides is our premium product – 5 ingredients all in 1 simple scoop – that work synergistically for beautiful skin, hair and nails. With two great flavours, Beauty Greens can be added to smoothies, oats, yoghurt or simply stirred into water.

Our Naked Collagen is neutral in taste (really neutral - not the "wet dog" taste that often gets reported alongside other "neutral tasting" collagen powders). This one is great in tea or coffee too!