Collagen Supplements vs. Collagen-Boosting Foods: Which is Better for Acne Scars?

If you currently have acne, there is a chance that you might get tiny scars on your skin once the acne blemishes start to heal. There might be many reasons that cause acne scars like when the pimple swells up and pops or if you keep on squeezing or picking the acne. But don’t worry, because collagen can help reduce these acne scars and improve your overall skin health. After reading this blog, you will clearly understand:

• What is collagen
• How does collagen help with acne scars
• Collagen boosting foods
• Collagen Supplements
• Collagen-boosting foods Vs. Supplements, which is better for acne scars

What is Collagen

Collagen is the structural protein that makes up to 30% of the protein in our body that supports the skin, tendons, bones, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue. This protein is made up of amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Collagen can also be found in your organs, intestinal linings, and blood vessels.

How Does Collagen Help With Acne Scars? 

Collagen helps your body with the growth of new cells in the middle layer of your skin. It also replaces dead skin cells and gives strength to your skin. Collagen also creates a protective cover for your organs and helps your blood to clot. It gives elasticity to your skin by giving a proper structure of proteins. There are collagen-boosting foods as well as collagen supplements, let’s look at them in detail.

Collagen Boosting Foods 

As we turn old, our body produces less and less collagen in the skin which can make your acne scar last for a long time. Here are some collagen-rich foods that you can have to help your body build amino acids:

• Bone Broth: This is a broth that is made by slowly cooking animal bones in water. The bones have collagen, magnesium, phosphorus, and other nutrients.

• Fish: Fish meat has ligaments and bones that are made out of collagen and it can be absorbed easily. Fish can help build your skin elasticity and overall health.

• Fruits: Oranges, limes, grapefruit, and lemon are other citrus fruits that are pro-collagen foods that help build collagen in your body.

• Chicken: Chicken meat has a high number of proteins, connective tissue, and the chicken thighs have more collagen than the breasts.

• Egg Whites: Egg whites have more proline content which is one of the amino acids that produces protein for collagen.

• Garlic: Foods like garlic have sulfur which helps prevent the breakdown of collagen, but it should be consumed in less amount.

• Berries: Berries like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries also have vitamin C and good nutrients.

• Tropical fruits: Tropical fruits like pineapple, guava, mango, and kiwi have zinc and other factors that produce collagen.

• Beans: Beans have lysine which is one of the amino acids that is important for producing collagen and maintaining skin health.

• Leafy Greens: Along with being a healthy diet food, leafy greens like kale, spinach, etc provide skin benefits by producing collagen.

• Tomatoes: Just a medium-sized tomato is a high source of vitamin C and nutrients that help your body produce collagen.

• Bell Peppers: When you’re making some salads or cooking some vegetables, add in some bell peppers to get vitamin C.

Collagen Supplements 

While you can consume foods that are rich in collagen-producing factors, you can also take some supplements to help your body produce collagen which reduces acne scars. Collagen supplements are available in the form of:

• Collagen capsules: These collagen capsules are easy to consume every day and will help reduce acne scars by improving skin elasticity.

• Collagen peptides: Collagen peptides are proteins that are found in animal products that can be easily absorbed to repair acne scars.

• Collagen gummies: These collagen gummies are tasty and flavorful supplements that can be taken to increase collagen in the skin.

• Collagen powder: Collagen powders can be mixed with food, beverages, and smoothies to improve your skin texture and reduce acne scars.

Conclusion: Collagen-Boosting Foods vs. Supplements– Which is Better For Acne Scars 

When it comes to collagen-boosting foods versus collagen supplements to treat your acne scars, it’s important to consider both options, as each can improve skin health. Some people find that a balanced diet rich in natural collagen sources, combined with supplements, yields good results for enhancing skin elasticity and reducing acne scars. However, if you choose collagen supplements, you might need to take them long-term, as your body relies on a steady supply of collagen to produce enzymes, which natural collagen in your body typically replaces. If you’re aiming to reduce acne scars, consider whether you prefer natural foods that promote collagen production or supplements. Additionally, professional acne scar removal treatment can help achieve noticeable and lasting results in reducing scars effectively.