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Most people have heard of both collagen and hyaluronic acid. Not only are they naturally key components of your skin, but they’re also very popular skincare ingredients!
When applied topically, both share some similar effects, leading to the question…which one actually does more for the skin? Read on as VouPre compares the visible results provided by each topical ingredient, so that you can easily decide which would be best for your skin.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that’s found throughout the body – in the skin, bones, tendons, connective tissues, and more. Its main role is to provide structural support. When it comes to the skin, this means maintaining firmness and elasticity. It’s the scaffolding that gives your skin its structure from within. Sadly, while the natural production of collagen is plentiful in your youth, it declines with age to quite a significant extent.
The collagen that you find in skincare products is slightly different from natural human collagen. There are a few different types available, from soluble collagen to hydrolyzed collagen. Although these various versions break collagen molecules down into small particles that are easier absorbed by the skin, those molecules are still not small enough to reach the depth of the skin where natural collagen lies.
As a result, although many may think that applying collagen topically will help to compensate for the decline in natural collagen production over the years, this isn’t actually the case. To do this, you’d need to look for skincare ingredients that stimulate natural collagen production. Topical collagen won’t be able to provide literal backup to your skin’s own collagen, although, as you’ll soon find out, it can definitely boost your complexion in other ways.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Just like collagen, hyaluronic acid is a compound that’s naturally produced in the human body. It’s primarily found in the skin, connective tissues, and eyes, with its main purpose being to retain moisture to keep the tissues within the body hydrated. Just like with collagen, the natural production of hyaluronic acid slows down with age, which is where topical application comes in.
Again, there are various forms of hyaluronic acid available in skincare products. From sodium hyaluronate to hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, the main difference between these ingredients is molecular weight. The smaller the molecules of the ingredient, the deeper they can be absorbed into the skin.
With that said, don’t assume that this automatically means that low-molecular forms of hyaluronic acid are better. The skin needs hydration at all levels, from its surface to its deeper layers. Once you understand more about what the ingredient does for your skin, you’ll know which form of it your skin needs the most.
The Similarities Between Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
The reason why collagen and hyaluronic acid are often compared to each other is that they offer some very similar benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the perks that these ingredients would bring to your skin:
Skin Hydration
Both collagen and hyaluronic acid are humectants. This term refers to ingredients that have moisture-binding abilities. They’re able to draw in moisture from the environment around them and hold onto it. This creates a moisture reservoir that surrounding skin cells can use as needed.
The great thing about humectants is that they work pretty much immediately. They’ll start bringing moisture to the skin as soon as they’re applied. This is why both collagen and hyaluronic acid are often found in hydrating skincare products.
Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
When you hydrate your skin with a humectant, one of the knock-on effects is that your skin quickly looks plumper and fuller. This, in turn, smooths away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Although this effect may only be temporary and at surface level, it’s a great way to achieve a more youthful-looking complexion while giving your skin cells the moisture that they need.
Gives the Skin a Glow
The more hydrated your skin is, the more reflective its surface will be. Treat your skin to the hydrating properties of collagen or hyaluronic acid, and not only will the moisture boost leave your skin looking fresher and more radiant, but your skin will be able to reflect light more effectively. This will give it a gorgeous glow.
Suitable for All Skin Types
While some hydrating skincare ingredients aren’t suitable for all skin types, collagen and hyaluronic acid are both gentle enough to be used by all. Unlike the ingredients that most commonly cause irritation, collagen and hyaluronic acid don’t stimulate the complexion in any way. Instead, they simply provide a moisture boost, along with the additional benefits that accompany this.
Collagen vs Hyaluronic Acid: Which One Should You Use?
As you now know, hydration is the main benefit provided by both collagen and hyaluronic acid. However, which one does it better?
Hyaluronic acid is undeniably the more effective humectant. It can attract and retain more moisture than collagen, making it more hydrating.
However, the way in which collagen helps to keep the skin barrier feeling supported means that the ingredient shouldn’t be dismissed. While its hydrating effects may not stack up to those of hyaluronic acid, regular use of topical collagen can leave your skin feeling stronger and more resilient.
When it comes down to it, why choose between the two? In many ways, the two ingredients work synergistically together, making it worth adding both to your skincare routine!
Adding Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to Your Skincare Routine
Like the idea of adding both collagen and hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine? Here are some VouPre products that bring these two superstar ingredients together:
The Collagen Cooling Set
Let’s start with the Collagen Cooling Set because, as you can tell from its name, this one is all about collagen! There are three topical products in this set (plus a cooling globe), and each one contains both collagen and sodium hyaluronate, which is a lower molecular weight hyaluronic acid.
These products work together to soothe, replenish, and hydrate the complexion. From the Collagen Plumping Mist to the HydroCollagen Lift Mask to the Advanced Soothing Cool Cream, this cohesive set provides a spa-like experience that will leave your skin feeling beautifully balanced. While the mask should only be used weekly, the other two products can easily be incorporated into a daily skincare routine to give your skin cells regular access to both collagen and sodium hyaluronate.
The Aqua Collection
The VouPre Aqua Collection is a skincare set that consists of three topical skincare products, as well as a 0.3mm derma roller. This collection is designed to leave the skin feeling deeply hydrated, so it should come as no surprise that both collagen and hyaluronic acid can be found in all three products.
The Aqua Melting Mask brings in several other hydrating humectants too, including squalane, aloe vera, and peptides. It’s loaded with antioxidants too, which work beautifully alongside humectants. The Aqua Hydration Serum brings even more humectants into the mix, such as lactic acid and coconut oil. Meanwhile, the Aqua Nano Cream combines our favorite duo with seaweed extract, glycerin, and peptides. All of these boast hydrating properties as well!
The String Lift Sculpting System
If you’re looking to give your skin an intense moisture boost, it doesn’t get much better than the String Lift Sculpting System. The first product in this two-part system is the Golden Sculpting Serum. Hyaluronic acid plays a key role in this formula. In fact, you’ll find six different forms of it in this serum. Each one has a slightly different molecular weight. That’s how this serum is able to hydrate the skin so effectively.
The second product in this system is the Elastic Collagen Threads. Each thread contains both collagen and hydrolyzed collagen. Again, bringing together different molecular weights means that multiple layers of your skin will feel hydrated.
The Facial Anti-Aging Firming System
Face masks are a great way to give the complexion a boost, which is exactly what the Facial Anti-Aging Firming System was created to do. This mix-it-yourself mask makes use of an array of hydrating ingredients to plump and smooth the look of the skin.
To use this mask, you’ll need to mix together two products. The first is the Collagen Firming Mask Powder, where you’ll find both hydrolyzed collagen and sodium hyaluronate. The second is the Firm Boost Essence, which contains even more sodium hyaluronate. This time, it’s joined by a blend of peptides and plant extracts. Niacinamide is in this essence too – a great ingredient for evening out the look of the skin.
The 24K Cleopatra Nano Regimen
If you want to give your skin a truly luxurious experience, the 24K Cleopatra Nano Regimen is worth your attention. Again, this skincare system consists of three products. Each one is brimming with uncommon but extraordinarily potent compounds that will leave your skin looking luminescent.
The 24K Cleopatra Nano Silk Serum is where you’ll find a variety of unique plant extracts, including those from different algae. Algae polysaccharides, which are incredibly hydrating, can be found in this serum too, along with sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed collagen.
While the Nano Gold Sheets consist of nothing more than gold, the 24K Cleopatra Nano Silk Cream features sodium hyaluronate once again. It also boasts several other super-powerful hydrating ingredients, including mushroom extract and sodium polyglutamate.
Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid? There’s No Need to Choose
There’s no denying that when it comes to hydrating power, hyaluronic acid outshines collagen. However, giving your skin multiple sources of hydration is always a good thing, meaning that collagen shouldn’t be ignored either. It offers other benefits too, and the fact that it works so well alongside hyaluronic acid makes it worth having both of these ingredients in your skincare routine.
Click here to elevate your skincare routine even further with more bestselling products from VouPre.
