Do Women Lose Collagen Faster Than Men?

The health of our skin is so important, and not just for aesthetic reasons. As our largest organ, it helps with detoxification, temperature regulation, protection, and so much more.

And a critical part of our skin is collagen. Collagen benefits the skin by keeping it firm and hydrated. But as we age, this collagen slowly breaks down, and it appears that this may happen faster in women than in men.

Let’s take a deeper look at what collagen is, the benefits of collagen, and the major differences between men and women, so that we can not only know what the warning signs are regarding collagen loss, but more importantly, what we can do about it.

What is Collagen and it’s Role?

What is collagen? Collagen is made up of a sequence of amino acids, called peptides, which have various physiological effects in the body.

Collagen and collagen peptides make up a significant amount of the protein we have in our bodies. In fact, studies suggest up to 30% of our total protein is in the form of collagen.1 It provides strength and structure to various tissues – think skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones. In our skin, collagen peptides form a fibrous network that keeps the cells healthy and firm.2

Our bodies produce at least 28 different types of collagen peptides that all have different functions, but types I, II and III are the most abundant and notable, especially for our skin.3

Unfortunately, as we age, collagen naturally starts to break down, which leads to typical signs of aging such as wrinkles and dry and sagging skin. Besides aging, it’s believed that lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, smoking and sun exposure can also speed up the breakdown of collagen peptides.4

Do Women Lose Collagen Faster?

While collagen breaks down for all of us at some point, it sadly does seem to do so faster in women. Why?

Both men and women and women start off losing collagen at roughly the same rate, around 1% per year in adulthood … up until women hit menopause. That’s when things between the sexes change.

You see, estrogen plays a critical role in collagen synthesis, so once hormones start shifting and estrogen drops, women can experience a sudden and rapid loss of collagen. Some studies suggest this loss could be up to 30% during the menopause years!5

After this initial drop, women continue to lose approximately 2% of their collagen per year thereafter.5 Protecting the collagen we have becomes even more important than ever.

How Skin Thickness Affects Aging

We know that collagen keeps our skin firm and hydrated, so it goes without saying that as we age, the thickness of our skin declines as well. As the matrix of collagen peptides slowly breaks down, we lose the structure and durability of the skin, and this can lead to skin that looks dry, thin, and pale.5

This loss of thickness is definitely accelerated during menopause as rapid declines in estrogen lead to more noticeable signs of aging.

Signs of Collagen Loss in the Skin

Collagen loss is usually very subtle at first, but it starts to get more noticeable over time. Here are some tell-tale signs that your skin is losing collagen and collagen peptides:6

• Sagging skin: Skin may feel less elastic and loose, particularly around the eyes, jawline, and cheeks.
• Fine lines and wrinkles: The loss of collagen peptides leads to less structural support in the skin, which can allow creases and lines to form.
• Dryness and thinner skin: With less collagen to hold onto moisture, the skin becomes more dull, dry, and thin.
• Slower healing: Blemishes and other inflammatory issues on the face may take longer to clear or heal because there is less collagen activity.

Ways to Boost Collagen Naturally

While collagen loss is a natural part of aging, the good news is that we can help the body boost collagen peptides and regain some of the benefits of collagen again.

Certain lifestyle factors and even collagen supplements can provide a well-rounded approach for optimal skin support. Here are a few suggestions:

1 Eat a collagen-supportive diet

A healthy diet with a host of nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods is the best first step to support your collagen levels naturally. Think of foods such as:

• Lean proteins
• Fatty fish (high in Omega 3’s)
• Citrus, leafy greens, peppers (high in Vitamin C)
• Berries, nuts, seeds, legumes (high in antioxidants)
• Bone broth (natural source of collagen)

2 Add a collagen supplement.

Studies show that adding a daily collagen supplement may help improve skin hydration, elasticity, and reduce the incidence of fine lines and wrinkles.7

What is the best collagen supplement? There’s no shortage of collagen supplements on the market but look no further than Body Kitchen’s Youthful Beauty Advanced powder, providing a blend of collagen peptides in addition to other supportive nutrients, or Body Kitchen’s Collagen + Elastin, which also offers collagen plus additional vitamin and antioxidant support.

3 Protect your skin from the sun.

We know that UV light can be very harmful to the skin and is known to cause damage collagen. Don’t forget to use daily sunscreen to protect yourself from UV-induced collagen breakdown.

4 Stay active.

Regular exercise helps circulate blood and oxygen to all the tissues and can help regulate our hormones. All of these factors can be a huge boost for collagen production and overall skin health. So, stay active year-round for max collagen benefits.

5 Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Other simple steps such as prioritizing sleep, reducing stress, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol and sugar, can all help our skin’s collagen production.

Final Thoughts

So, do women lose collagen faster as men? The answer is yes – but there are many steps we can take to help ward off some of those effects. A well-rounded approach to optimal collagen health includes eating a healthy diet, staying active, getting good sleep, protecting yourself from the sun, and considering a collagen supplement for extra support.

And don’t forget that Body Kitchen has several top-quality collagen supplements to support your skin health journey. Whether you are in your 20s or your 60s, taking care of your skin and protecting your collagen is a long-term goal that’s worth investing in.

References

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4989561/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10707495/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37587815/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37587815/
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7859014/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29738498/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31627309/