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In the world of beauty and skincare, collagen is a very big deal. But the frustrating thing is that all this good stuff doesn’t last.

From your mid-20s you start to lose more collagen than you make which means your natural levels deplete at a rate of around 1 percent every year. Now, 1 percent might not sound like a lot, but what this actually means is that by the time you hit your 60s you could have lost about 50 percent of your collagen. Ouch!

So why is this important skin component so vital for the health of your complexion? And how can you hold on to it for as long as possible? Of course, you can't stop the clocks but there are plenty of ways to help your skin hold on to all that healthy, quality collagen for as long as possible.

Here are five of the best steps you can start taking today ...

In the world of beauty and skincare, collagen is a very big deal. But the frustrating thing is that all this good stuff doesn’t last.

Here are five of the best steps you can start taking today ...

1. Retinol All The Way

It’s a well-known fact that retinol is a major player when it comes to looking after your collagen. The science behind it is that retinoids (which includes retinoic acid, retinol and retinyl palmitate) stimulate the activity of your fibroblasts, encouraging collagen production and therefore improving the quantity of collagen fibres in your skin.

Not only that, but retinol also slows down the enzymes that break down any existing collagen you have in your skin giving it more strength and extra longevity. It’s a must for your routine. We repeat, a must.

Try: Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum which harnesses the power of retinyl palmitate, a gentle derivative of retinol that’s ideal for all skin types – even sensitive skin.

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Need to Know: Always, always moisturise after applying a retinol product such as Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum. Imperial Moisturiser, Night Elixir and Organic Hydration Gel are all fantastic options that work in conjunction with Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum.

2. Sun Protection

Just a few hours of exposure to sunlight plays havoc with your collagen because UVA rays, in particular, penetrate deep into your skin where they destroy collagen (and elastin!) fibres. Is it really worth it?

To counteract the damage UV radiation does to your collagen, and to help prevent all those signs of premature ageing that come along for the ride (hello dark spots, wrinkles and sagging skin), you must protect your skin 24/7. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to any exposed areas of your skin. All this will protect your collagen and keep your skin looking fabulous for so much longer. Result!

Try: Organic Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 25 which comes in four adaptive, lightweight shades and is ideal for everyday use. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and protective clothing are also essential.

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Good to Know: Your body makes around 28 different types of collagen fibres, two of which are the absolute foundation of healthy skin. Making up around 75 percent of your dermis – collagen fibres work like scaffolding, providing an important structural framework for your skin and giving it strength, suppleness, hydration and that lovely plump, spongy feeling.

3. Get On The Vit C

Vitamin C is a big favourite for any skincare pro. Sure, its skin-brightening powers are second to none, but the benefits of vitamin C go so much deeper than that ...

Not only does topical vitamin C trigger your fibroblasts into action, but it’s essential for fighting off the collagen-damaging effects of pesky free radicals. And free radicals are collagen’s worst enemy, breaking it down so it’s unable to do its job.

Applying topical vitamin C to your skin is one of the most trusted, beneficial free-radical-fighting antioxidants that exists in skincare.

Try: Our antioxidant-rich Organic Age-Defying Facial Oil to really help take your skin to the next level!

FACT: You can further reduce the number of free radicals in your skin by eating an antioxidant-rich diet, staying out of the sun, minimising alcohol and refined sugars.

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4. Vegan Seaweed Collagen

Don't be fooled here. It is not uncommon for skincare products to run with easy-to-source, animal-derived collagen which is a) difficult for your skin to absorb and b) not the kind of stuff we want to put on our skin in the first place.

However, certain types of collagen can be very well tolerated and absorbed by the skin. And ethically and sustainably derived too. Take seaweed collagen, for example.

Extracted from nutrient-rich seaweed, this type of collagen has a very similar molecular structure to human collagen which means it penetrates the skin way more easily and gives much better, visible results in the long run.

Try: You'll find your daily fix of seaweed collagen in Imperial Moisturiser for your face AND our fantastic Imperial Eye Gel to take care of your precious peepers.

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5. The Wonders of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid's water-binding abilities don’t just hydrate the surface of your skin to keep it soft, supple and healthy. It has also been shown to surround the skin’s internal cells with moisture which provides a better environment for fibroblasts to do their thing – ie: produce great quality collagen! And the proof is in the pudding ...

FACT: Studies show that skin treated with hyaluronic acid on a regular basis contains higher levels of collagen than skin that’s not.

Try: Our fabulous Night Elixir, Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum, Imperial Eye Gel, Natural Element Clay Mask, Organic Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 25, Imperial Moisturiser ... You get the gist!

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