These 3 Types Of People Should Definitely Be Taking Collagen Daily

Before jumping right in, let me be clear: Everyone can benefit from taking collagen. If you think you might be a good candidate—guess what!—you probably are.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, found in our tendons, ligaments, skin, muscles, bones, and blood vessels, but it decreases with age—so supplying your natural reserves is definitely a good idea. 

A telltale sign you should start using collagen? Fine lines, especially etchings that don't go away after pinching your skin. "Fine lines are often considered to be baby wrinkles," board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., previously told mbg. Those fainter folds can mature into deeper wrinkles later on, which is why it's essential to catch them early. 

Enter, collagen peptides: Research shows these are able to support skin elasticity and dermal collagen density1. They do this by promoting the body's natural production of collagen2 and other molecules that make up the skin, like elastin and fibrillin; and these skin-critical proteins are inherent in skin's elasticity and smoothness.

Technically, anyone at any age can start taking collagen (your natural production declines by an average of 1% each year2 once you hit your mid-20s, so many would consider that their starting point). 

But people who experience menopause see a dramatic drop (about 30%) in collagen production during that time, which is why many start to see major skin shifts (like fine lines and sagging) during that time. So, they might be more interested in taking collagen to support their natural levels. 

Finally, if you want firm, bouncy, hydrated skin (I'm assuming that's everyone here), then you should certainly consider taking collagen. In fact, consuming collagen is crucial for achieving "Jello skin," a concept that went viral after content creator Ava Lee (otherwise known as Glow With Ava) posted a video of herself mid-facial. 

When her facialist pinches her cheek, it immediately holds its shape. "That just shows you have enough of a support cushion underneath," her facialist explains. "The way that it bounces… It's the perfect consistency of Jell-O. That's a perfect sign that you have a beautiful level of collagen in the skin." 

Everyone can benefit from taking collagen, but those concerned about fine lines, skin changes during menopause, or who just want to secure a plumper, more hydrated complexion should definitely invest.