The benefits of marine collagen and vitamin E supplements for the skin

Collagen is an abundant protein that contributes to the hydration and elasticity of our skin. Unfortunately, collagen levels decline as we age, which is why supplementation with collagen has become popular for supporting the skin. Marine collagen (derived from the skin and scales of fish) is commonly used in food supplement products for the skin because fish collagen is considered a type I collagen. Type I collagen fibres make up the majority of the collagen found in healthy skin (70-80%), so marine collagen may be the most bioavailable type for replenishing lost collagen in the skin.

Vitamin E is a vital fat-soluble vitamin we can only obtain through diet. It is involved in many processes in the body but primarily acts as an antioxidant to protect cells from oxidative damage. Oxidative damage from unpreventable internal processes or external factors is a major driving force behind tissue ageing. Vitamin E is commonly used in supplements or topically on the skin.

This article will cover the benefits of vitamin E supplementation for skin health and also how these benefits can be compounded by combining it with marine collagen. You will also learn about any interactions between the two ingredients and how to take full advantage of marine collagen and vitamin E for the skin through a combined collagen complex supplement.

Vitamin E supplements for the skin

The skin is constantly being exposed to environmental damage, and the most significant environmental contributor to skin ageing is exposure to UV radiation. This radiation generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can damage cellular structures, including DNA and proteins, leading to signs of tissue ageing. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant to buffer this oxidative stress. In fact, vitamin E is the predominant antioxidant that is found in the skin.

ROS can also be generated as an unfortunate by-product of metabolism, meaning their build-up over time is unpreventable. However, it does highlight the importance of supplementing with antioxidants to support the body (particularly the skin) as we age.

Hydrolysed marine collagen for the skin

Collagen contributes to skin elasticity and skin hydration; losing it over time results in wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. Many people take a marine collagen food supplement over bovine collagen or bone broth to support the skin. Marine collagen, isolated from fish, is considered a type I collagen due to its high proportion of type I collagen fibres. Human skin also has primarily type I collagen fibres, so it is thought that marine collagen may be the most bioavailable type for replacing the collagen that we lose.

Marine collagen that has been hydrolysed (broken down into smaller pieces) is also considered more bioavailable than consuming collagen proteins found in food, for example. This is because hydrolysed collagen can be rapidly digested and absorbed into the body. Marine collagen powder supplements also speed up absorbance. It has been shown that supplementation with collagen peptides stimulates normal collagen formation. This may help to maintain collagen levels as we age.

Taking marine collagen with vitamin E

Both men and women experience collagen decline at a rate of 1-1.5% per year after the age of 30. This decline can be primarily attributed to oxidative damage. As mentioned, oxidative stress can be caused by intrinsic (e.g. metabolism) and extrinsic (e.g. UV radiation) factors, but it is impossible to avoid oxidative stress in the body and the skin completely.

Oxidative stress causes a decline in collagen levels in multiple ways that exacerbate one another. ROS stimulate the breakdown of collagen structures while also inhibiting collagen production. The fragmentation of collagen structures prevents the collagen matrix from interacting with the fibroblast cells correctly, leading to fibroblast collapse. Collapsed fibroblasts also generate even more ROS, further compounding this effect. This demonstrates the importance of antioxidant supplementation for protecting the skin and the collagen matrix from oxidative damage.

Taking marine collagen, vitamin C and vitamin E together

Vitamins and minerals have been well studied, and it is understood that the function of vitamin E and vitamin C are tightly linked. Vitamin E and C both function as antioxidants, while vitamin C plays a vital role in collagen synthesis. More interestingly, vitamin E and vitamin C can regenerate one another.

Vitamin C has a relatively short half-life, meaning that it will degrade relatively quickly, at which point it is ineffective for synthesising collagen. Vitamin E helps to extend the half-life of vitamin C so it can carry out its normal functions for longer. Vitamin E can improve the efficacy of vitamin C eight-fold. Pairing vitamin E with vitamin C and marine collagen is especially important if you want to get the most out of your supplement.

Other ingredients to pair with marine collagen

Evidently, nutrients do not function independently from one another, so it is vital to consider the possible ingredient combinations that could improve the outcome of collagen supplementation. We have covered marine collagen, vitamin E and vitamin C. Another popular ingredient to pair with marine collagen is hyaluronic acid for its moisture holding capacity; another is biotin for its importance in maintaining normal skin and hair.

Beauty Complex is a hydrolysed marine collagen powder supplement that offers a high dosage of marine collagen and provides the ideal amounts of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin and phytoceramides. This collagen complex also contains Selenium and Copper for maintaining normal hair, skin and nails and hair pigmentation, respectively.

Our powdered marine collagen supplement is portioned into daily sachets for convenience and effective nutrient delivery. The orange and pineapple-flavoured marine collagen drink is also free from carbohydrates, artificial colours, fillers, binders and stimulants so that you can enjoy the benefits of Beauty Complex without the nonsense.

Sources

1. Oxidative Stress and Human Skin Connective Tissue Aging
2. Synthesis and structure of collagen in skin
3. Cosmetic Potential of Marine Fish Skin Collagen
4. A review of skin ageing and its medical therapy
5. Oxidative stress and ageing
6. Vitamin E in human skin: Organ-specific physiology and considerations for its use in dermatology
7. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials
8. Oxidative stress and ageing
9. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
10. Vitamin C in dermatology
11. Ingestion of an Oral Hyaluronan Solution Improves Skin Hydration, Wrinkle Reduction, Elasticity, and Skin Roughness: Results of a Clinical Study
12. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging