

We Lose Collagen As We Age. 10 Ways To Naturally Boost It.
We've all heard that "Black don't crack". It ultimately comes from the belief that due to the extra doses of melanin that we've been blessed with, our skin doesn't age as quickly as, well, others do. Yet when it comes to taking preventative measures to keep our skin as ageless as possible, for as long as we can, it's also important to keep our collagen levels up. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our system and, thanks to the approximately 16 different kinds that we have around connective tissues like tendons, teeth and bones, when we've got a good amount of it in our body, it helps to keep our joints healthy, increase our muscle mass, give us longer hair and stronger nails, increase our protein and offer our skin extra hydration and elasticity.
So, as you can see, collagen is essential. Unfortunately, with just about every birthday, the fibers that make collagen up start to become thinner and looser. That's why it's imperative that we become as proactive as possible about boosting our collagen levels over time. While again, collagen is necessary for a myriad of health-related reasons, today, I'm mostly going to focus on how it can get your skin (and hair and nails) right, so that you can be as timeless as possible for as long as possible. Here are 10 tips to make that happen.
1. Become a Huge Fan of Vitamin C
If you want to produce more collagen, it's absolutely essential that you get more Vitamin C into your system. The reason why is because it's the nutrient that actually helps your body to produce more collagen; it does this by boosting up the synthesis of collagen. You can get more collagen into your body by eating foods that are loaded with Vitamin C such as citrus fruit, chili peppers, kale, broccoli, kiwi, guava, tomatoes, potatoes, mangoes and cauliflower or by taking a Vitamin C supplement. Oh, and if you want to get some Vitamin C into your skin from "the outside in", a Vitamin C serum certainly can't hurt either. Oprah Daily published a list of some of the best current Vitamin C serums that are on the market. You can check it out here.
2. Eat Less Sugar and Caffeine
If you've been trying to cut back on coffee and sugar, here's a major motivator to do just that. While sugar actually breaks down collagen, caffeine then turns around and reduces the amount of new collagen that forms within your body. That's why, as far as your sweet tooth goes, it really is better to consume more honey. It contains a type of alpha hydroxy acid known as gluconic acid that helps to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. And if you feel as if you need a bit of a caffeine fix, even after what I just shared, how about some green tea? The antioxidants in it help you to maintain your collagen levels while still giving you a bit of an energy boost too.
3. Eat More Hyaluronic Acid Foods
I'm pretty sure you've seen a skincare commercial that talks about its products having hyaluronic acid in it before. Well, did you know that it's actually a substance that your body produces — one that helps to keep your skin, connective tissues and eyes moist? Not only that but it's the kind of acid that helps with cellular regeneration, wound repair and it supports collagen remaining healthy.
Believe it or not, there are foods that are full of hyaluronic acid. Some of them include bone broth, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens (because the magnesium in them help to produce hyaluronic acid), carrots, beets, Tempe, tofu, liver, cocoa and whole grains (the zinc in them help you to maintain your hyaluronic acid levels). If you eat more of those, there's no need to spend a mint on beauty products that contain it.
4. Cook with Fresh Herbs
Do you enjoy cooking? If so, another way to add more collagen into your system is to cook with the kinds of herbs that stimulate production of it in your body. Some of those include cilantro, calendula, thyme, paprika and rosemary. Just make sure they're as fresh as possible; that way, you can get more collagen (or Vitamin C) from them.
5. Drink Some Aloe Vera Juice
You don't have the time and I don't have the space to talk about all of the benefits of Aloe vera. As far as beauty is concerned, it contains bioactive compounds, antioxidants and antibacterial properties which help to strengthen your hair; soothe an itchy scalp; protect your hair and skin from UV damage; replenish dry skin; help to heal eczema and psoriasis and reduce the appearance of acne. Aloe vera is also dope because if you drink it in pure juice form, it's able to significantly increase the amount of collagen your skin produces as well as improve your skin's elasticity over the period of a couple of months. So, make sure that the next time you pick some up that you not only get some 100 percent gel to put on your body but that you also get some juice (or tablets) that you can take internally as well (most health and vitamin stores carry it, by the way).
6. Consider a Collagen Supplement
Listen, when it comes to giving my body more of what it needs, I am all about adding a supplement into my system. As far as what a consistent dose of a collagen supplement can do, it's able to relieve joint discomfort; prevent bone loss; promote gut health; keep your hair and nails strong; boost your metabolism levels; increase muscle mass and so much more. As far as if there is a downside of taking this supplement, the main thing to keep in mind is you should read the labels before making a selection. The reason why is because some of them contain shellfish or egg protein which isn't good if you happen to be allergic to either one. Anyway, if you want some help in picking out the best collagen supplement for you and your lifestyle, Health has some of the best ones that were selected by health experts that you can check out here.
7. Or an Algae One
Did you know that one of the main reasons why our skin ages before its time is due to oxidation? If you're familiar with that word yet you're not exactly sure what it means, it's when our skin is exposed to things like inclement weather and air pollution and, as a direct result, the cell growth of our skin is damaged. A great remedy for this is algae. The properties in it are amazing when it comes to blocking oxidation from happening; plus, it reduces the appearance of cellulite; deeply hydrates your skin; helps to tone your skin; speeds up the healing process of pimples and even diminishes the appearance of hyperpigmentation. While red, green, blue and brown algae are all beneficial, green or red is probably what you should look for in a supplement. Most health and vitamin stores carry this too.
8. Create DIY Ginseng and Tamanu Seed Oil Face Mask
If you're someone who likes to treat yourself to a DIY facial (and if you aren't, you definitely should become that kind of person; check out "8 Solid Reasons Why You Should Give Yourself A Facial Once A Month"), consider making a face mask out of ginseng and tamanu seed oil every once in a while.
Ginseng is dope because it's packed with nutrients that help to remove dead skin cells and nourish your skin. Not only that but it's also an herb that balances oil production, reduces the appearance of dark circles underneath your eyes and decreases the appearance of acne (thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties). Also, because it contains phytonutrients, ginseng has the ability to protect your skin from free radicals, boost its metabolism and yes, stimulate the production of collagen.
As far as tamanu seed oil goes, because it's an emollient, it's loaded with fatty acids that will moisturize your skin. It's also loaded with vitamins C and E. And, thanks to other properties that it contains, tamanu seed oil can help to prevent damaging UV rays from breaking down the collagen that's in your skin as it boosts the production of collagen simultaneously.
To create a ginseng and tamanu seed oil face mask, just blend two teaspoons of ginseng powder with a teaspoon of magnesium powder, a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and 5-7 drops of tamanu seed oil. Let the mask sit on freshly washed damp skin for 10 minutes, then rinse with first warm and then cold water (cold water will close your pores). Finally, apply your favorite moisturizer. Your skin will almost immediately start to glow! (Etsy and online shops like iHerb are where you can easily find tamanu seed oil).
9. Apply a Carrot Seed Oil Blend onto Your Face (and Neck) At Night
If there are two oils that I will do a free commercial for, right here and right now, it's sweet almond oil and rosemary oil. These days, I pretty much apply the first in the day, the second at night and lawd — the wonders it does for the texture and appearance of my skin! On the collagen-boosting tip, one that you might want to consider using is carrot seed oil. Aside from the fact that its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties are great at treating/healing acne, because it is also rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, carrot seed oil can also repair damaged tissue and rebuild the collagen that is underneath your skin too.
10. Stress. Less.
A hormone that we naturally have in our body is cortisol. Some health experts call it a "built-in alarm system" because it's what goes up and down based on your stress levels. Well, when we're too stressed out, something that automatically happens is your collagen gets damaged and that ultimately leads to fine lines, wrinkles and less firmness in your skin. That's why, I don't care if it's a person, place, thing or idea — be hypervigilant about not allowing anyone or anything to "get you there". It's not good for your overall health or well-being, including your skin. Amen? Amen.
Join our xoTribe, an exclusive community dedicated to YOU and your stories and all things xoNecole. Be a part of a growing community of women from all over the world who come together to uplift, inspire, and inform each other on all things related to the glow up.
Featured image by Getty Images
Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Why Do Millennials & Gen-Zers Still Feel Like Teenagers? The Pandemic Might Be The Reason.
There’s nothing quite as humbling as navigating adulthood with no instruction manual. Since the turn of the decade, it seems like everything in our society that could go wrong has, inevitably, gone wrong. From the global pandemic, our crippling student debt problem, the loneliness crisis, layoffs, global warming, recession, and not to mention figuring out what to eat for dinner every night. This constant state of uncertainty has many of us wondering, when are the grown-ups coming to fix all of this?
But the catch is, we are the new grown-ups.
As if it happened without our permission, we became the new adults. We are the members of society who are paying taxes, having children, getting married, and keeping our communities afloat, one iced latte at a time. Still, there’s something about doing all these grown-up duties that feel unnaturally grown-up. Enter the #teenagegirlinher20s.
If there’s one hashtag to give you the state of the next cohort of adults, it’s this one. Of the videos that have garnered over 3.9M views, you’ll find a collection of users who are overwhelmed by life’s pressing existential responsibilities, clung to nostalgia, and reminiscent of the days when their mom and dad took care of their insurance plans.
@charlies444ngel no like i cant explain to her why i had to buy multiple tank air dupes from aritzia #teenagegirlinher20s #fyp
The concept of being a 20-something or 30-something teenager is linked to the sentiment of not feeling “grown up enough” to do grown-up things while feeling underprepared and even nihilistic about whether that preparation even matters.
It’s our generation’s version of when we ask our grandmothers how old they are and they simply reply with, “I still feel 45,” all while being every bit of 76 years old. In this, we share a warped concept of time while clinging to a desire for infantilization.
Granted, the pandemic did a number on our concept of time. Many of us who started the pandemic in our early or mid-20s missed out on three fundamental years of socialization, career development, and personal milestones that traditionally help to mark our growth.
Our time to figure out and plan our next steps through fumbling yet active participation was put on pause indefinitely and then resumed provisionally. This in turn has left many of us hanging in the balance of uncertainty as we try to make sense of the disconnect between our minds and bodies in this missing gap of time.
Because we’re all still figuring out what the ramifications of being locked away and frozen in time by a global pandemic will have on us as a society, there really is no “right” way of making up for lost time. Feeling unprepared for any new chapter of life is a natural rite of passage, pandemic or not. However, it’s important to not stay stuck in the last age or period of life that made sense to us because self-growth is the truest evidence of personal progress.
So whether you’re leaning on your inner child, teenager, or 20-something for guidance as you fill the gap between your real age and pandemic age, know that it’s okay to grieve the person you thought you would be and the milestones you thought you’d hit before you ever knew what a pandemic was. If there’s anything that the pandemic taught us, it’s that we have the power to reimagine a better world and life for ourselves. And if we tap into our inner teenager as a compass, we can piece together our next chapter with a fresh outlook.
Sure, we’ve lost a couple of years, but there are still some really amazing ones ahead.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Stephen Zeigler/Getty Images