Collagen is a natural fibrous protein found in cartilage. As aging process gains pace, collagen disintegrates and results in wrinkles and saggy skin. Artificial collagen creams are believed to slow the natural process of collagen depletion, consequently preventing aging signs on skin.

How natural is Collagen Cream?
In fact, collagen creams are prepared from natural collagen. Natural collagen is wide spread in the body: it is the main ingredient of the connective tissues such as cartilage and ligaments. The soft yet tough structures such as external ear, tip of nose etc., are cartilage. Once the depletion of collagen begins, joints stiffen and skin loses elasticity. Collagen creams are promoted with a promise of preventing and correcting the aging signs.

How effective is Collagen Cream?
On the face of it, collagen creams appear to do miracles. Since skin has collagen, application of similar cream improves the faults. However, the fact is contrary. Collagen molecules are too large to penetrate skin. So, the creams are temporary applications which smooth the skin until the next shower. Another benefit is that such creams hold moisture and thus keeps the skin supple.

Most of the collagen creams are primarily gelatin, another natural product. There seem to be specially prepared collagen creams now available, which contain finer molecules that are likely to penetrate skin. However, even such creams are found to be of no permanent use. There are some companies which claim to have developed ‘soluble’ or ‘absorbable’ collagen, whose credentials are not yet satisfactorily proved.
Even though collagen creams are around for decades, they remain temporary skin softeners. There are also collagen injections which are know to iron out the wrinkles from below the skin. Of course, such methods are not without unwanted side effects. There is another approach to stimulate natural collagen synthesis in the body.