What is Collagen?
What is collagen? Collagen fibers? Keratin? What does collagen and keratin have to do with my skin care? Collagen is the main protein found in connective tissues. Collagen makes up 25-35% of the protein content of your entire body. It is also quite unique when compared to other proteins and its triple helix structure has been the subject of scientific study and even modern art.
Scientists have been able to make models of collagen's molecular structure for quite some time, but only recently were scientists able to create it synthetically in the laboratory. The ability to do this has wide-reaching applications from a medical standpoint. Eventually, it may be used for sutures, bandages and other purposes.
Collagen Fibers
Our cartilage, ligaments and tendons are primarily composed of collagen. It is collagen fibers that prevent the skin from sagging and since the production of new fibers decreases with age, it has become a primary ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics of all kinds. But, like most anti-aging remedies, they don't really work.
The molecular structure is too large to penetrate the skin's cells. Even if it were able to penetrate, the processes that manufacturers use to make it soluble also make it inactive. The skin's cells can't use it for anything. From any angle, it is easy to see that you cannot supplement the skin's collagen content by applying the protein to the outer surface. Our collagen fibers are located four to five layers deep in the dermis, which lies below the epidermis.
What is Keratin?
The skin that we see on our faces and bodies is called the epidermis. The primary component of the epidermis is keratin. 95% of the cells of the epidermis are keratin cells. The other five percent are Langerhans cells, Merkel cells and those that are composed of melanin, responsible for the skin's color.
There are some anti-aging creams that do actually work, but they don't contain collagen. They do contain a bio-active form of keratin.
Patented Process is Unique
Using patented processes, a company in New Zealand was able to extract the keratin from sheep's wool and make it soluble, without rendering it inactive. The skin's cells can absorb it, pick it up and use it. In clinical trials, it has been shown to increase the number of new cells, increase firmness and moisture content, while reducing inflammation and the redness that can accompany it.
Bio-active keratin is not the only ingredient that you want to look for. Antioxidants are needed to fight and repair free radical damage, a primary cause of an aged appearance. Older skin cells contain fewer antioxidants and more free radical molecules. Without supplementation, this imbalance will continue until all of the cells and fibers are at least partially damaged. Free radicals can even damage collagen proteins, if they are left unchecked.
The best antioxidant ingredient is NANOLIPOBELLE HEQ10. It has been shown to penetrate through all of the layers of the epidermis and through the epidermis, neutralizing any free radicals that it comes into contact with. There are other important ingredients, as well. Wakame kelp for example provides additional benefit. But, whatever you do, don't buy a cream that contains collagen. It's just a bad idea. Make sure the anti aging skin product contains "functional keratin". It really works. I know from personal experience. -Margaret Bell
Scientists have been able to make models of collagen's molecular structure for quite some time, but only recently were scientists able to create it synthetically in the laboratory. The ability to do this has wide-reaching applications from a medical standpoint. Eventually, it may be used for sutures, bandages and other purposes.
Collagen Fibers
Our cartilage, ligaments and tendons are primarily composed of collagen. It is collagen fibers that prevent the skin from sagging and since the production of new fibers decreases with age, it has become a primary ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics of all kinds. But, like most anti-aging remedies, they don't really work.
The molecular structure is too large to penetrate the skin's cells. Even if it were able to penetrate, the processes that manufacturers use to make it soluble also make it inactive. The skin's cells can't use it for anything. From any angle, it is easy to see that you cannot supplement the skin's collagen content by applying the protein to the outer surface. Our collagen fibers are located four to five layers deep in the dermis, which lies below the epidermis.
What is Keratin?
The skin that we see on our faces and bodies is called the epidermis. The primary component of the epidermis is keratin. 95% of the cells of the epidermis are keratin cells. The other five percent are Langerhans cells, Merkel cells and those that are composed of melanin, responsible for the skin's color.
There are some anti-aging creams that do actually work, but they don't contain collagen. They do contain a bio-active form of keratin.
Patented Process is Unique
Using patented processes, a company in New Zealand was able to extract the keratin from sheep's wool and make it soluble, without rendering it inactive. The skin's cells can absorb it, pick it up and use it. In clinical trials, it has been shown to increase the number of new cells, increase firmness and moisture content, while reducing inflammation and the redness that can accompany it.
Bio-active keratin is not the only ingredient that you want to look for. Antioxidants are needed to fight and repair free radical damage, a primary cause of an aged appearance. Older skin cells contain fewer antioxidants and more free radical molecules. Without supplementation, this imbalance will continue until all of the cells and fibers are at least partially damaged. Free radicals can even damage collagen proteins, if they are left unchecked.
The best antioxidant ingredient is NANOLIPOBELLE HEQ10. It has been shown to penetrate through all of the layers of the epidermis and through the epidermis, neutralizing any free radicals that it comes into contact with. There are other important ingredients, as well. Wakame kelp for example provides additional benefit. But, whatever you do, don't buy a cream that contains collagen. It's just a bad idea. Make sure the anti aging skin product contains "functional keratin". It really works. I know from personal experience. -Margaret Bell
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