Elastin And Collagen

Elastin or Collagen, Who Is More Important?

Why are elastin and collagen, the small compounds in the skin's dermis, key to the skin's lack of firmness and elasticity? It turns out that these two are two key proteins found in connective tissue that work together to keep the skin firm.

However, over time, the body's own production of these two proteins has declined over the years. Although pure collagen powder and elastin are often mentioned together, there are many differences between these two proteins, as they both have different biological functions.

What Is Elastin?

Elastin is found in many tissues in the body, including the dermis of the skin, the lungs and the large blood vessels (aorta). Although elastin makes up only 2% of the total protein in the dermis (unlike collagen which makes up 75%), it is still important for the elasticity of the skin.

Marine elastin peptides consist of purified, hydrolyzed marine fish elastin. They are extracted from fish skin through a process called "enzymatic hydrolysis". Marine elastin peptides have a low molecular weight - approximately 1,400 Daltons (Da) - making them water soluble, fully digestible and highly bioavailable.

Elastin peptide supplements protect elastin fibers by inhibiting elastase, an enzyme that attacks elastin. Marine elastin peptides promote the biosynthesis of new elastin fibers and stimulate skin cell proliferation.

How Elastin Works?

As the name implies, elastin is an elastic, rubbery protein that allows the skin to "snap back" to its original shape after stretching or contracting. If your skin loses elastin, it will no longer be able to bounce back to its original state.

Elastin fibers are made up of a number of protofibrils grouped together, and elastin protofibrils are formed from multiple elastin molecules. Elastin fibers can stretch to about 200% of their original length before breaking. In contrast, collagen fibers are more similar to "shoelaces" because they do not have elongation, although they are very strong. Therefore, elastin helps to slow down and reduce sagging of the skin. Loss or lack of elastin can affect the appearance of the skin.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein that is a fundamental component of the body's connective tissues, including the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. It is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up between 25% to 35% of the body's total protein content.

Pure collagen powder is composed of a unique combination of amino acids, including glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, and it gives strength, structure, and elasticity to the body's tissues. In the skin, collagen helps to maintain its firmness, elasticity, and hydration. In the bones, it provides strength and supports bone mineralization.

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging. This loss of collagen can also contribute to the development of joint pain and stiffness.

There are different types of collagen, with type I collagen being the most abundant in the body. Type II collagen is mainly found in cartilage, while type III collagen is present in the skin, walls of blood vessels, and internal organs.

Supplementing with collagen may offer several potential health benefits, including improving skin health and hydration, reducing joint pain and stiffness, and supporting bone health. Collagen supplements are available in various forms, including powders, capsules, and drinks.

Overall, collagen is an essential protein for the body's structure and function. Its importance and potential health benefits have led to its growing popularity as a supplement in recent years.

How Collagen Works?

As we age, the synthesis ability of fibroblasts decreases, and if there is a lack of collagen in the skin, collagen fibers will undergo joint solidification, resulting in a decrease in intercellular mucopolysaccharides, and the skin will lose its softness, elasticity and luster and undergo aging, while the fibers of the dermis break down, fat atrophy, and the secretion of sweat and sebaceous glands decreases, resulting in a series of aging phenomena such as skin discoloration and wrinkles. When it is used as an active substance in cosmetics, the latter can diffuse into the deeper layers of the skin, and the tyrosine it contains competes with the tyrosine in the skin and combines with the catalytic center of tyrosinase, thus inhibiting the production of melanin, enhancing the activity of collagen in the skin, maintaining the moisture of the stratum corneum and the integrity of the fiber structure, promoting the metabolism of the skin tissue, and producing good moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on the skin, It has a good nourishing and moisturizing effect on the skin and reduces wrinkles.

Differences between Collagen and Elastin

• Structure - Collagen is a structural protein found in skin and connective tissue, while elastin is a structural protein found in the elastic structure of connective tissue

• Body Abundance - Collagen is the third most abundant protein in the body, while elastin is less abundant

• Color - Collagen powder is white in color, while elastin powder is yellow in color

• Function - Collagen gives strength to the structure, while elastin gives elasticity to the structure

• Production - Collagen is produced throughout life until the onset of aging, while elastin is produced during fetal life.

How to Prevent and Reduce The Loss of Elastin and Collagen

1. Protection from UV rays

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage elastin fibers over time. As the elastin fibers degrade, the skin begins to sag and stretch, eventually losing its elasticity. Although you don't notice the sun's damage when you're young, you will definitely see the effects of UV on your skin as you age over time. According to a study published in the Journal of Dermatological Research, long-term UV-B radiation causes wrinkles to form, accompanied by a decrease in skin elasticity and the curling of elastin fibers in the dermis. Replenishing the skin with strong antioxidants can help protect the skin from free radical damage.

2. Reduce and avoid stress

Stress can cause an overproduction of the hormone cortisol, which makes it difficult for your skin to repair itself and continue to produce collagen and elastin. Exercise can help prevent sagging skin caused by the gradual loss of elastin and collagen.

3. Limit sugar intake

Less sugar = better skin. Sugar intake is a major cause of premature aging. Sugary snacks may taste delicious, but excess sugar in the blood is harmful to collagen and elastin in the skin.

Too much sugar can cause insulin levels to spike and create inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin fibers. This can make your skin look dull and wrinkled.

Sugar molecules attach themselves to the collagen and elastin fibers of the skin in a process called "glycation". This leads to the formation of glycation end-products, which cause protein fibers to become stiff, brittle and discolored. The presence of glycation end-products also makes your skin more susceptible to the effects of free radicals from UV rays and pollution.

How to Increase Elastin and Collagen In Your Skin?

Aging and glycation are a fact of life, but that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do about it. Elastin and collagen, although present in skin creams and serums, are ingredients in topical products, elastin does not allow it to pass through the protective layer of the skin and into the cellular level (such as the dermis).

However, hydrolyzed elastin and hydrolyzed collagen peptide can be taken orally to supplement the skin's needs, as this has been shown to combat the signs of aging.