You can get collagen back in your body through a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, the use of specific skincare ingredients and supplements, and professional medical treatments.
Although you can't fully replace lost collagen, modern aesthetic therapies have made it possible to significantly improve skin texture, firmness, and elasticity by encouraging natural collagen regeneration over time.
There's no proof that collagen treats skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis.
Amino acids, which your body uses to produce collagen, are found in protein-rich foods such as poultry and beef, fish and shellfish, eggs, dairy, soy, and legumes. Vitamin C plays an important role as well, as it helps amino acids convert to collagen, and helps protect collagen.
These signs and symptoms include:
Five signs collagen is working include firmer, more hydrated skin with fewer fine lines, stronger and faster-growing nails, healthier and thicker-looking hair, less joint stiffness, and better gut health/recovery, with initial improvements often seen in skin and nails within weeks, while deeper benefits like joint support take longer.
The "3-minute rule" for eczema is a key skincare guideline: apply moisturizer to damp skin within three minutes of getting out of a bath or shower to lock in moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent dryness and itching. This practice, recommended by dermatologists, involves gently patting the skin dry, leaving it slightly damp, and immediately applying a thick cream or ointment to seal in hydration, reducing eczema flare-ups and soothing the skin.
Jing jie (schizonepeta bud or stem) and fang feng (ledebouriella root) are a classic combination to reduce itching and dispel wind. While some standard formula use dang gui (Chinese angelica root) for eczema, this herb should be avoided in acute cases as it may exacerbate the damp factors.
Exercise Boosts Collagen Production for Firm, Plump Skin
Collagen is the key protein responsible for keeping your skin firm and youthful. Regular exercise increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin cells, which enhances collagen production.
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is the ideal drink for glowing skin. Anarme is rich in antioxidants, especially ellagic acid and punylagins, which protect collagen from degradation and promote skin regeneration. Pomegranate juice is an excellent collagen booster drink for breakfast.
While collagen production naturally declines with age, many lifestyle factors accelerate its breakdown. These include excessive sugar intake, UV exposure, smoking, alcohol use, chronic stress, poor sleep, and environmental pollution.
Collagen-rich foods include bone broth, beef, and chicken skin. These foods contain many nutrients, but they can also be high in fat. Plant-based foods don't contain collagen. But foods like legumes, whole grains, and fermented soy contain amino acids, which might increase your collagen production.
Poor diet and nutritional deficiencies (e.g., too much alcohol and sugar, and not enough vitamin C, zinc, copper, amino acids, or proteins) Chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes) Certain medications (prolonged steroid use can decrease collagen production and weaken skin structure.)
A single case study, published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements involving an 18-year-old boy with severe eczema, found an association between vitamin B12 blood levels and severity of eczema symptoms. Doctors also reported a “clinically significant improvement” in his symptoms after he took vitamin B12 supplements.
If you have eczema, your skin probably has a higher than normal pH. A natural skin pH level under 5.0 is considered healthy. Apple cider vinegar is a mild acid, so applying it to your skin may restore the natural pH level, relieving eczema symptoms. Use mild soaps or body cleansers.
When you have eczema or atopic dermatitis, it's key to use a moisturizer. Dry skin can often make eczema worse. Moisturizers lock in water and create a barrier against things that can irritate your skin. You can choose from plenty of products, but they're not the same.
Avoid collagen saboteurs: Sugar and ultra-processed foods (they trigger glycation, damaging existing collagen) Smoking + pollution (oxidative stress = collagen breakdown) Unprotected sun exposure (UVA rays are collagen's worst enemy)
Because collagen isn't considered a medical treatment by the NHS, not much is known about its side effects or long-term risks. For this reason, you should never use it as a substitute for NHS-approved medication that your GP has already prescribed.
Skinade: the collagen supplement Victoria Beckham, Millie Macintosh and Emma Louise Connelly all swear by. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body – it's in your skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and blood.
Many collagen vascular diseases are autoimmune diseases, such as:
If you're using Collagen supplements, avoid these things for best results.
As collagen production slows, the effects become more noticeable. Skin loses firmness, hair thins, and joints feel stiffer. But deficiency doesn't look the same for everyone. Some may notice dry, crepey skin, while others struggle with weak tendons or digestive issues.