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Many of us become more aware of our skin and joint health as we age, and may want to take steps to support our joints or address signs of sun damage on our skin. But with such a saturated market of products all claiming to offer miracle results, how can you know which ones are worth your while?
Science is beginning to understand the benefits of two key products when it comes to skin and joint health – collagen and hyaluronic acid. And evidence suggests that they may be even more powerful when used together.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with supplement company Revive Active to explore the potential benefits of combining these wonder ingredients. Revive Active offers a range of scientifically formulated health supplements – and both their Beauty Complex and Joint Complex are packed with high-quality marine collagen and hyaluronic acid to help you feel your healthiest, happiest self.
Note: It’s important to speak to your GP before adding any new supplements to your diet as they may not be suitable for everyone.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein found naturally throughout the body. It’s mainly produced by connective tissue cells and is the most abundant protein in the human body – making up one-third of our entire protein mass.
There are 28 types of collagen, but the four most common are…
- Type I – the most common type, found in all connective tissue
- Type II – located in joints and intervertebral discs (the spine’s shock absorbers)
- Type III – the main component of reticular fibres (found in the connective tissue of skin and blood vessels)
- Type IV – a component of the kidneys, eye lens, and inner ear
Because collagen is a key component of connective tissues – including tendons, muscles, cartilage and ligaments – that form the framework for various organs and support the body as a whole, it plays an important role in joint and bone health.
Plus, collagen makes up 75-80% of skin structure and is used to maintain skin elasticity and hydration – as well as in the growth of new cells and replacement of damaged, dead skin cells.
Research shows that collagen levels peak between the ages of 25 and 34 and, on average, production starts to decrease by about 1.5% per year after a person reaches their late 20s.
This is why our risk of developing brittle, weak bones, and osteoporosis increases with age; and why we may begin to notice signs of ageing on our skin like dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Therefore, to boost skin and joint health, some people take marine collagen, which is a form of type I collagen, and one of the most popular collagen supplements around – largely due to its bioavailability (the extent and rate at which the body can absorb it). Derived from the skin, bones, and scales of fish, it’s also a great option for people who can’t use other types of collagen such as bovine or porcine (derived from cows and pigs) – for example, due to religious reasons.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the fluids of our eyes, skin, and joints.
Hyaluronic acid plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin, and one of the main draws is its ability to retain moisture. According to research, it’s capable of retaining over 1,000 times its weight in water. This means that hyaluronic acid is able to hold water molecules on the surface of the skin, helping to keep it hydrated.
Hyaluronic acid is also an important component of synovial fluid, which is important for joint health and mobility. Synovial fluid is responsible for lubricating and cushioning our joints, and prevents them from grinding against one another and causing injury.
However, just like collagen, the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid significantly decreases with age. This is another reason why our skin can begin to lack hydration, plumpness, and even tone, and why our joints become more susceptible to pain and injury.
Other functions of hyaluronic acid throughout the body include wound healing, reduced inflammation, and improved eye health.
Why combine collagen and hyaluronic acid for skin and joint health?
Both collagen and hyaluronic acid play an important role in skin and joint health. So, even by introducing just one to your routine, it’s likely that you’ll notice a difference. But for maximum benefit, why not combine them?
Below we’ll cover some of the reasons why collagen and hyaluronic acid make a powerful duo for skin and joint health.
You can buy collagen and hyaluronic acid in supplement form on Revive Active’s website.
Collagen and hyaluronic acid for skin health
Our skin contains around half of all the hyaluronic acid and three-quarters of all the collagen in our bodies, and both play an important role in maintaining skin structure, plumpness, and hydration. It’s unsurprising, therefore, that, as the production of these declines with age, the health of our skin and joints may be impacted.
However, research suggests that introducing collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements to your diet can have powerful benefits.
For one, we know from research that dry skin is one of the main prerequisites for signs of ageing, so taking steps to boost hydration is important – and both collagen and hyaluronic acid are effective hydration boosters. Collagen helps to strengthen skin barrier function, reduce water loss, and improve overall moisture levels; while hyaluronic acid has impressive moisture-retaining capabilities and helps attract water to the skin.
Pairing collagen and hyaluronic acid together can help to optimise the skin’s ability to lock in moisture. In this study, collagen supplements improved skin moisture, elasticity, and hydration; while another study found that hyaluronic acid supplements improved skin moisture in just three weeks – with the benefits continuing for two weeks after treatment ended.
Similarly, skin barrier injuries – which are often caused by overexposure to UV radiation (including sunlight) – are one of the leading factors in premature ageing. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid play key roles in the repair of the skin barrier – particularly when it comes to damage from UV radiation. Plus, hyaluronic acid is needed for skin tissue repair and studies have linked having higher levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin with scar-free tissue repair.
There’s also evidence that collagen and hyaluronic acid may boost each other’s abilities. This study linked higher intake of hyaluronic acid with increased collagen production; and other studies have found that collagen supplements improved the body’s natural production of both collagen and hyaluronic acid.
Collagen and hyaluronic acid are available in topical form, but research suggests that supplements may be more effective. While collagen-infused skincare products only impact the skin’s surface, this study concluded that high-quality collagen supplements are a safe and effective method of reaching the deeper layers of the skin to improve skin appearance and texture from within.
Similarly, oral hyaluronic acid is thought to be more effective at entering skin tissue than topical treatments.
Revive Active’s Beauty Complex supplements combine marine collagen and hyaluronic acid, along with skin-friendly nutrients like vitamin C and biotin, to offer high-quality care for your skin from within.
Note: It’s important to speak to your GP before adding any new supplements to your diet, as they may not be suitable for everyone.
Collagen and hyaluronic acid for joint health
Collagen and hyaluronic acid are important for joint health and can be a powerful duo when it comes to caring for and supporting joints.
Hyaluronic acid is a key component of synovial fluid, which is responsible for cushioning and lubricating our joints. And, according to the Arthritis Foundation, the hyaluronic acid present in synovial fluid breaks down over time, which can contribute to joint pain and stiffness.
However, there’s evidence that supplementing with hyaluronic acid may help to relieve symptoms. In this study, when people with osteoarthritis – particularly those aged between 40 and 70 – took 80-200mg of hyaluronic acid supplements each day for two months, they reported significant reductions in knee pain.
Nevertheless, cushioning and lubricating joints can only go so far unless the joints themselves are strong and healthy – which is where collagen comes in.
Collagen provides structure and support for the connective tissues in our body – including our bones and cartilage (the rubber-like tissue that protects our joints). So, reduced collagen levels can expose our joints to injury, impact bone density, and increase the risk of osteoporosis. However, research has noted that collagen supplements may help to prevent these changes.
In this study of post-menopausal women (a high-risk group for osteoporosis), those who took collagen supplements for 12 months experienced an increase of up to 7% in bone density compared to those who didn’t take collagen. Other studies also suggest that hyaluronic acid assists in preventing cartilage breakdown and encouraging cartilage regeneration.
Lastly, collagen’s role in muscle health is also worth noting when it comes to our joints. Having stronger muscles helps to reduce the amount of pressure and strain placed on joints. Studies suggest that taking collagen supplements may help to boost muscle mass in people with sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass that occurs with age.
Revive Active’s Joint Complex supplements combine hyaluronic acid and marine collagen, along with powerful nutrients like vitamins D and C, to help keep your joints healthy and supple.
Note: It’s important to speak to your GP before adding any new supplements to your diet, as they may not be suitable for everyone.
Final thoughts…
Both collagen and hyaluronic acid play an essential role in our health – including that of our skin and joints. However, as the body’s production naturally decreases with age, whether in the form of less supple joints or damaged skin, we can begin to feel the effects.
However, research suggests that adding collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements to your diet can be a powerful way to boost your health and wellbeing.
You can browse Revive Active’s supplement range, including their Beauty Complex and Joint Complex supplements, using the button below.
Note: It’s important to speak to your GP before adding any new supplements to your diet and they may not be suitable for everyone.
For further reading, head over to the general health section of our website. Here, you’ll find everything from tips on taking care of heart and lung health to information on important health checks for over 50s.
Are you interested in combining collagen and hyaluronic acid for skin and joint health? Have you experienced any of the benefits yourself? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
