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Reilly et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2021;8:2 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153 Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for
skin health and beauty

David M. Reilly , Jennifer Lozano 2
1
1 Research and Clinicals, Minerva Research Labs, London W1S 1DN, UK.
2 NPD and Regulatory, Minerva Research Labs, London W1S 1DN, UK.
Correspondence to: Dr. David M. Reilly, Research and Clinicals, Minerva Research Labs, 106 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London
W1S 1DN, UK. E-mail: davidr@minervalabs.com
How to cite this article: Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plast
Aesthet Res 2021;8:2. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153
Received: 20 Jul 2020 First Decision: 2 Oct 2020 Revised: 15 Oct 2020 Accepted: 9 Dec 2020 Published: 8 Jan 2021

Academic Editor: Salvador Gonzalez, Raúl González-García Copy Editor: Monica Wang Production Editor: Jing Yu

Abstract
Collagen-based supplements have become a keystone in the management of the ageing process, with proven ability
to repair skin damage, bestowing a youthful and healthy appearance sought in the pursuit of beauty. Collagen is an
essential scaffold protein that gives smoothness and elasticity to skin, but its production declines with age. Finding
ways to tackle this problem is now strongly promoted as an effective way to transform skin and hair, repairing age-
related deterioration. A growing number of scientific studies show exciting evidence that it is possible to rejuvenate
ageing or damaged skin, improve function of worn joints, and support personal wellbeing and vitality. In recent
times, research on the mechanisms which impact the production of collagen in skin and the ideal organization into
functional fibres which give skin its characteristic elasticity and firmness has provided new insights into how this
bio-scaffold can support cells, tissues and organs. The factors which influence collagen production over a lifetime
(e.g., puberty, pregnancy, menopause, andropause), intrinsic factors (e.g., genetics, age, ethnicity) and extrinsic
factors (e.g., UV-radiation, pollution, smoking) and the potential for new technologies, ingredients and devices to
restore collagen and matrix components to their optimal condition are improving the ability to deliver anti-aging
strategies with unprecedented results. This paper will review skin collagen production, structure and function
throughout the lifestages, emphasizing its relationship with health, appearance and beauty.

Keywords: Collagen, health, beauty, ageing, skin

© The Author(s) 2021. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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