We've heard a lot of talk about collagen and its anti-ageing qualities, and cosmetics ranging from face creams to mascaras are loading up on collagen to attract consumers looking for a more effective skin-repair regime. But what exactly is collagen and how does it work?
'Collagen is a protein and one of the major building blocks of the skin, keeping it firm and young,' says Lynsey Hughes, spa director at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, explaining that low levels of collagen contribute greatly to skin ageing.
According to Clinique research, repetitive facial movements, such as squinting, smiling and frowning, break down collagen fibres in the skin, causing it to sink in and form a wrinkle. Continual irritation at the base of the wrinkle leads to a continuing depletion of collagen, and an effective skin-repair product needs to replace these damaged cells with new, active cells that produce the protein.
Clinique launched its Repairwear Deep Wrinkle Concentrate (HK$600) as a solution to this problem. The product contains a peptide complex, which includes hydrolysed fish collagen and fish atelocollagen, to increase collagen production, and soy peptides, which encourage faster cell turnover. As a result, the wrinkle is reduced and skin elasticity is improved.
Fans of Thalgo's marine products and treatments will be glad to know that the brand, known for its expertise in marine cosmetology, has launched a Marine Collagen Cream (HK$490). Containing pure marine collagen, the product limits 'insensible water loss' by forming a layer of moisturising film over the skin, while the collagen strengthens the skin's regenerative properties and the support fibres.
For an intensive collagen spa treatment, both the Mandarin Spa at the Mandarin Oriental and Spa by MTM offer youth-boosting facials. The Mandarin Spa's Caviar Collagen facial (HK$1,400/75min) is a six-step treatment that uses 20 per cent caviar extract and 80 per cent collagen for an experience that leaves skin rejuvenated and hydrated. Meanwhile, Spa by MTM offers a custom-blended Collagen Restructuring Treatment (HK$1,800/90min) that uses bipolar radio frequency to penetrate into the dermis and stimulate collagen restructuring, followed by a hydrating face mask and a collagen mask to boost the skin's radiance.