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11 Of The Best Collagen-Boosting Products For Plump, Bouncy Skin
Plump, bouncy skin is something we’re all in pursuit of so it’s no wonder that collagen continues to be big news in beauty. Given that collagen production starts to decline in our mid-30s, it’s no wonder that searches for the best collagen skincare continues to rise. “Collagen is like the scaffolding for your skin, giving it structure, firmness, and elasticity,” says Martine Jarman, skin health expert and founder of Skin Script+. “As we get older, our collagen production naturally drops, which can lead to sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. So, keeping that collagen game strong helps keep your skin looking youthful and firm.”
To ensure your collagen is not just maintained, but optimised, there are certain things you can do, like making sure you’re eating a diet full of collagen-boosting ingredients, and of course using the right skincare products packed with collagen-boosting properties like retinol, vitamin C and peptides. Here is Vogue’s pick of the best collagen-boosting products to try.
The best collagen-boosting skincare at a glance:
- Best for sensitive skin: Kate Somerville MEGA-A Skin Transforming Serum, £72
- Best for boosting overall appearance: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, £59.50
- Best for long-term skin health: Dr Sam Bunting Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum, £62
- Best for fine lines and wrinkles: Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP, £79
- Best for tired-looking eyes: Absolute Collagen Deep Lift Eye Cream, £40
In this article:
1/11Best for sensitive skin: Kate Somerville MEGA-A Skin Transforming Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Vitamin A is a standout ingredient for many reasons, but one of the things that it does best is encourage collagen synthesis in the skin. Not only that, but it also helps to inhibit the breakdown of collagen at the same time, making it a great option for anyone looking to actively maintain a plump, bouncy skin texture. Powered by retinal, which studies prove is even more effective than retinol (and better tolerated too), this also contains hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate and improve elasticity.
Key ingredients: retinal, hyaluronic acid, squalane
2/11Best for boosting overall appearance:
Why it’s Vogue-approved: a great all-rounder for skin that’s showing signs of accelerated ageing, this formula contains a blend of retinoid esters (a gentler form of retinol) along with encapsulated retinol and botanical extracts known to have similar skin-boosting effects on collagen production. To improve UV-induced discolouration and promote a more even-toned complexion CoQ10, bisabolol and cactus extract are also included.
Key ingredients: retinoid ester blend, liposomal-encapsulated retinol blend, blue-green algae, CoQ10, bisabolol, cactus extract
3/11Best overnight solution: Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Helping to ensure zero irritation but maximum effect on collagen production, this overnight serum contains encapsulated retinal that goes to work where it needs to, targeting everything from fine lines and wrinkles to sagging jowls and neck lines. Not only does skin feel suppler and more lifted over time, other ingredients like olive and oat extracts and alpha glucan ensure skin stays balanced healthy and hydrated.
Key ingredients: retinal, olive extract, oat extract and alpha glucan
4/11Best for smoother skin: Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: The combination of retinol and ferulic acid in this tried-and-tested formula not only helps to stabilise retinol and reduce any potential irritation, but it also helps boost the efficacy of retinol for better, more visible results AKA smoother, more youthful skin. Also helping to promote collagen production are rambutan and bakuchiol.
Key ingredients: retinol, ferulic acid, bakuchiol, rambutan, hyaluronic acid
5/11Best for brightness and firming: Paula’s Choice C15 Booster
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Although vitamin C is most associated with skin brightness, studies have shown that it also helps in the formulation of new collagen in the body, making it essential if you want to maintain firmness and elasticity. This also contains vitamin E and ergothioneine, which help boost the efficacy of vitamin E, as well as encouraging healing.
Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, ergothioneine, ferulic acid, peptides
6/11Best for long-term skin health: Dr Sam Bunting Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: With 15 per cent vitamin C and the addition of NAD+ boosting ingredients, this silky serum not only stimulates collagen production and diminishes the look of fine lines, but also re-energises skin cells and primes them for better long-term health and ageing.
Key ingredients: vitamin C, sunflower shoot extract, ectoin
7/11Best for discolouration: Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: While the 20 per cent vitamin C helps encourage more efficient collagen production for firmer skin, an orange extract complex and an antioxidant offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits to keep skin protected against collagen-degrading free radicals. They also help to improve radiance and diminish discolouration caused by oxidative stress.
Key ingredients: vitamin C, orange extract complex, glutathione
8/11Best for refining skin texture: Dr Barbara Sturm The Better B Niacinamide Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Niacinamide has been shown to increase the expression of collagen, which means it’s an important ingredient to include in your skincare routine. Alongside ectoin, the niacinamide helps strengthen the skin’s structure and improve its elasticity, while marine plankton reinstates a healthy skin barrier.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, ectoin, marine plankton, panthenol
