Collagen has been one of the biggest buzzwords in the beauty industry for the past few years, with countless products offering 'collagen-boosting' effects designed to improve the appearance of your skin and retain that youthful glow.

From reducing wrinkles to improving skin texture and hydration, collagen is what helps us look younger for longer.

But at what age does collagen production decrease in our bodies? Read on to find out all of the facts about this unique protein and why it's the glue that holds us together.

What is natural collagen?

To understand the statement 'at what age does collagen production increase', you first need to understand what collagen is and what happens to its production over the average human lifespan.

Found just about everywhere in the body, there is a range of different types of collagen, from type I to type V.

But these different categories all have one thing in common; they're created from the same protein substance.

In fact, 25% of our body's protein is formed from collagen, making it one of the most essential substances within our body.

For plumped skin, fewer wrinkles and even faster healing of scars, collagen is a must. It's the glue that holds our body together; the cement between the bricks that ensures the whole house doesn't fall down.

Collagen is found in just about every part of your body, from your hair to your nails, your bones to your organs and joints.

Type I collagen, the most common of these proteins, has a strength higher than steel. It functions by providing a support structure for your body - the equivalent of the frame of a house.

It works to bind cells together as well as forming strands to support other bodily systems such as the skin and connective tissues.

Why does collagen decrease after a certain age?

At what age does collagen production decrease? In most cases, from the age of 30 onwards you can expect the amount of collagen in your body to decrease over time - even by as little as just 1 or 2% per year.

This reduction is the body's response to the ageing process and is a natural part of what happens as we age.

The protein structures within our bodies begin to reduce flexibility and are more likely to break or be degraded over time.

However, certain lifestyle choices or habits can increase this degradation, such as exposure to UV rays, smoking and even pollution.

Choosing to wear sun cream when out, stopping smoking and living in less polluted areas can all help to reduce the decreasing of collagen within the body - but will not entirely prevent the process.

What less collagen does to your body

There are several noticeable effects of less collagen in the body, but the one which is most advertised and talked about is the reduction of elasticity in the skin.

Collagen is required to create the smooth, more 'bouncy' looking skin that indicates youth, and is often the focus of collagen-based skincare routines and products.

Having less collagen in your body leads to skin that is duller, and often, older skin sags more over time.

Wrinkles are another visible effect of the reduction of collagen in the body, a common indicator of age.

Scarring on the skin - from acne, injury or otherwise - also tends to become more prominent, as the body doesn't have the same capacity to recreate the youthful skin it once had.

But collagen affects more than just your outward appearance; reduction in this protein over time can also lead to muscle pain and joint pain, both additional symptoms of ageing.

How you can improve your collagen production

While skincare brands and beauty products may be quick to suggest their collagen-rich products can directly have an impact on your skin, this, unfortunately, isn't the case.

Because of the design of collagen, and the size of the molecule, it isn't easy for topical solutions to replenish the level of collagen within your skin.

However, there are certain types of supplement that are effective for rebuilding collagen - and these are known as collagen peptides.

Unlike traditional collagen, these collagen peptides are broken down to a far smaller scale, allowing for their easy absorption and incorporation into the body.

Collagen drinks or liquid collagen supplements are one example of an effective way to reintroduce extra collagen into the system in order to gain the anti-ageing properties of the protein.

Other solutions include taking tablet supplements, both of which offer all the benefits you'd expect from a collagen-based supplement, including more elastic skin, better hydration and other reduced signs of ageing.

Marine collagen peptides and anti-ageing

The most commonly used form of collagen for this purpose is derived from fish and marine life and is known as type I collagen peptides or marine collagen peptides.

This form of collagen is widely used for its proven anti-ageing properties.

For those wondering what age does collagen production decrease when taking these supplements, there's plenty of information and guidance out there about the positive effects of marine collagen peptides, from improving skin elasticity to enhancing the overall healing factor of the body.

Choose Absolute Collagen for your collagen needs

Using the technology behind collagen peptides to introduce increased collagen into the body quickly and effectively, Absolute Collagen is the solution you need to restore your skin to its hydrated, flexible, wrinkle-free best.

With long-lasting effects, including plumped skin, thicker hair and even reduced joint and muscle pain, Absolute Collagen restores all that your body has lost with equally effective marine collagen peptide to give you a look you'll love.

What age does collagen production decrease? With our collagen drinks, you don't need the answer to that question.

By restoring and maintaining the level of collagen in your system with our high-protein supplement drinks, you can keep clear, beautiful and wrinkle-free skin for far longer.