What is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein in our body and is found in mostly our connective tissues, such as the skin, hair, nails, cartilage, and bones.

Our body stops producing as much collagen as we age, so we need to look to external sources if we want to rejuvenate it, such as using skin care products with collagen or taking collagen supplements.

Different Types

There are several types of collagen, but the 5 main types are:

Type I: This is the most abundant type, making up 90% of your body’s collagen, and is needed to support connective tissues.

Type II: This helps support your joints.

Type III: This is found internally in our bodies, such as in your organs and muscles.

Type IV: This is found in layers of the skin.

Type V: This is found in the eyes as well as skin and hair.

Benefits of Collagen

There are several benefits of collagen, which can all help promote healthier and youthful skin.

Improved skin elasticity and hydration:

 Collagen is a major component of your skin, and plays a role in strengthening skin as well as in elasticity and hydration. It helps to improve the skin's moisture retention, keeping it hydrated and plump.

Due to the lower production of collagen as you get older, your skin may become dry or develop wrinkles. But adding collagen can assist in improving the elasticity and hydration of the skin, which can help to lessen wrinkles.

Increased skin firmness:

Increased collagen can help make the skin firmer and tighter, which in turns allows your skin to appear more youthful. 

Nail and Hair Health:

Collagen also surprisingly can benefit the health of nails and hair - increased amounts can help strengthen your nails so they will not be as brittle, and it can help your hair grow longer. 

Stronger bones:

Collagen is a major component of our bones and gives it the strength and resilience it needs. However, just as our collagen production decreases as we age, so does bone mass. This means our bones can be more prone to bone diseases and can take longer to heal if they break. Taking collagen can help make your bones denser which could reduce the risk of broken bones. 

To review, collagen is a powerhouse with multiple helpful benefits such as improving skin health which could lead to a bright and youthful complexion as well as nail, hair, and bone health.

Collagen-abundant foods:

Despite what we may think, eating foods with a lot of collagen does not automatically translate into higher levels of it in our body. This is because it's broken down into amino acids which are absorbed and reallocated by our body.

But don’t lose hope just yet - many foods can help stimulate collagen production and can be incorporated into a healthy diet. Some foods that help boost collagen production are animal bone broth, chicken, fish, or egg whites.

Some plants also include nutrients and amino acids that help the body produce collagen. Foods that include zinc and vitamin C are especially helpful, such as nuts, legumes, broccoli, bell peppers, or leafy greens.

But sometimes if you want an extra boost or are unable to get a substantial amount of collagen from foods, try using a collagen product to achieve your desired results.

Japan is known for creating excellent products, and collagen products are no different. Japanese products are highly effective and made with only high quality ingredients, making them a top choice for collagen products.

Keep reading for our picks of the top 3 Japanese collagen products.

Our Top 3 Collagen Picks

Yunako Collagen+

Yunako is a leading Japanese supplement manufacturer, and one of their new products is Collagen+, which is designed to help you achieve smooth and youthful skin.

Exclusive formula with HQ ingredients:

Yunako has worked with a leading Japanese university and supplement company in order to develop this formula that isn't in other similar products. 

Furthermore, it not only includes the magical collagen, but also various other high quality ingredients that work together to provide you with your healthiest and most glowing skin. 

Let’s take a deeper look at what it includes:

Collagen: This is a protein that makes up most of our body and is essential for various parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, or muscles. Supplementing with it has been shown to improve skin health, joint health, and muscle mass.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin is a molecule that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and is great for reducing joint pain. It also helps to maintain the structure and function of cartilage.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in the body and plays a crucial role in the production of collagen. It also helps to improve wound healing and skin and bone health.

Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is also an antioxidant that is produced by our bodies and is needed for maintenance and growth. It can improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and improve exercise performance.

With all these amazing ingredients, Collagen+ certainly stands out amongst all of the plethora of other collagen products out there.

Buy it here: Yunako Collagen+

DHC Super Collagen Cream:

DHC is a popular Japanese beauty brand and the DHC Collagen Beauty line includes various products infused with collagen, including creams, serums, and supplements.

DHC Super Collagen Cream is a moisturizing cream with collagen peptides to keep your skin hydrated. It also contains Vitamin C as well as other hydrating oils and includes no added fragrance, colorants, or parabens so it is ideal for all skin types.

Buy it here: DHC Super Collagen Cream

Hada Labo Gokujun α Hari Toner 

Hada Labo, another skincare brand commonly used in Japan, is renowned for their hydrating products. Hada Labo Gokujun α Hari Toner is no different, and includes hydrolyzed collagen along with the hydrating hyaluronic acid to help retain skin firmness and moisture. This product is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and doesn't contain any mineral oil, so it can be used for those with sensitive skin types as well.

Buy it here: Hada Labo Gokujun Alpha Hari Toner

Tablet vs Topical Form

Did you notice that out of the 3 products mentioned above, only 1 was in tablet form? That's right - Yunako Collagen+ is a supplement to be ingested while the other 2 are to be applied on the skin.

So what’s the difference between tablet and topical versions, and which one is better?

Short answer: Tablet form!

Long answer: Well, the effects are minimal if the product is only applied on your skin. The molecules are too large to get through the top layer of the skin (called the epidermis) and thus it is not as effective. However, if you take collagen in tablet form, the effects can work from within your body and will be effectively absorbed all throughout your body.

Conclusion

If you want to keep your skin healthy and prevent wrinkles as much as possible, adding some collagen to your skin or diet may be a good idea. There are an abundance of collagen products out there, but many of them are topically applied which are not as effective as the tablet versions. Yunako's Collagen+ contains multiple beneficial ingredients and is in tablet form, meaning you can reap all the benefits of collagen in just one product!

Make sure to check it out on ZenPlus!

Other articles you'll enjoy

For more Japanese cuisine and foodie insights, check out the articles below:

1. Best Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Yunako Hyaluronic Acid+
2. 5 Japanese Anti-Aging Skin Care Products You Need to Try

Thanks for reading!