Collagen has become one of the most talked-about topics in beauty and wellness — and for good reason. This powerhouse structural protein keeps our skin firm, plump, hydrated, and youthful. But as we age, collagen levels naturally decline, and external factors can speed up the process even more.
In this updated guide, we’re taking a clear, science-backed look at what causes collagen loss, how aging and hormonal changes — especially during perimenopause and menopause — impact your skin, and the most effective ways to protect, support, and rebuild collagen naturally.
What Is Collagen, Really?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up nearly 30–40% of total protein and about 80% of the skin’s structure. It acts like scaffolding — giving skin its firmness, elasticity, and resilience while also supporting muscles, bones, tendons, and connective tissue.
Think of collagen as your body’s built-in support system — the glue that keeps everything lifted, bouncy, and strong.
What Causes Collagen Loss?
Collagen loss is a natural part of aging, but genetics, hormones, lifestyle choices, and environmental stressors all influence how quickly it happens. The major causes include:
Natural age-related decline
Estrogen depletion during perimenopause and menopause
UV exposure
Chronic inflammation
Poor diet
Smoking and excessive alcohol intake
Stress and lack of sleep
Let’s break down the biggest contributors.
Collagen Loss With Age
Collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are produced in the dermis by fibroblast cells. Beginning in our mid-to-late 20s, fibroblast activity slows, and we lose approximately 1% of our collagen every year.
By our 40s, this slow decline accelerates — and during perimenopause and menopause, collagen loss becomes even more dramatic.
Common signs of age-related collagen loss include:
Thinner, more fragile skin
Fine lines and creases
Loss of firmness and volume
A more hollow look around the eyes and cheeks
Slower wound healing
Emepelle
Emepelle is the first and only skincare line available to address collagen loss and restore the natural function of estrogen-deficient skin without the use of hormones.
How Hormones Affect Collagen
Estrogen plays a critical role in collagen production. It helps activate fibroblasts, regulates moisture, supports elastin, and strengthens the skin barrier.
When estrogen levels begin to fall:
Collagen production declines sharply
Hyaluronic acid and ceramide levels drop
Skin becomes drier and less elastic
Volume loss becomes more noticeable
Fine lines deepen
Women experience a 30% collagen loss in the first five years of menopause, followed by an additional 2% every year afterward. This is one of the main reasons menopausal skin changes feel so sudden and dramatic.
Men also lose collagen with age, but their decline is steadier without the steep hormonal drop-off.
Why Emepelle Is Essential for Estrogen-Deficient Skin
Emepelle is the only skincare line clinically proven to restore the function of estrogen-deficient skin without using hormones.
Its patented MEP Technology™ reactivates key cellular pathways that slow down during menopause — helping the skin behave more like it did before estrogen loss.
Benefits include:
Improved firmness and elasticity
Increased hydration
Brighter, smoother skin
Stronger collagen and elastin support
For a deep dive, explore our full Emepelle collection on Art of Skin Care.
Environmentally-Induced Collagen Loss
UV Exposure
The #1 cause of premature aging.
UVA rays penetrate deeply, increasing free radicals and activating enzymes (MMPs) that break down collagen.
Pollution
Triggers oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
Smoking
Reduces circulation, damages collagen fibers, and slows fibroblast activity.
Diet High in Sugar
Excess sugar causes glycation — a process that weakens collagen and leads to stiffness and wrinkles.
Chronic Stress and Poor Sleep
Elevate cortisol, which inhibits collagen formation.
Signs of Collagen Deficiency
Beyond visible changes in the skin, collagen loss can affect connective tissues throughout the body.
Body symptoms may include:
Joint stiffness
Weaker ligaments and tendons
Brittle nails
Increased hair breakage
Digestive issues
Skin symptoms include:
Facial volume loss
Thinning, sagging skin
Fine lines and wrinkles
Hollow eyes
Sunken or flat cheeks
Crepey texture
How Can I Restore Collagen Naturally?
The good news: While we can’t stop collagen loss completely, we can significantly slow it down and stimulate new collagen growth with targeted lifestyle choices, nutrition, and evidence-based skincare.
Collagen-Rich and Collagen-Boosting Foods
The best foods for collagen support contain amino acids, antioxidants, and healthy fats:
Bone broth
Fatty fish (especially salmon)
Dark leafy greens
Berries
Eggs
Citrus fruit
Chia and flax seeds
These foods help fuel the building blocks your body needs for collagen synthesis.
Microcurrent & Fascia Release to Support Collagen Production
Microcurrent has become one of the most effective ways to support healthy aging because it works with the skin, muscles, and fascia — the connective tissue network that plays a critical role in cellular communication, circulation, lymphatic flow, and collagen production.
Fascia isn’t just a structural layer. It carries biochemical signals that tell fibroblasts when to activate and repair tissue. When fascia becomes tight or dehydrated, these signals weaken, leading to reduced collagen activity, stagnation, and visible signs of aging such as sagging, puffiness, and dullness.
Why Microcurrent Helps
Microcurrent delivers gentle electrical impulses that mimic the body’s natural current. This increases ATP (cellular energy), boosts collagen and elastin synthesis, improves muscle tone, and enhances overall skin vitality. It is one of the few non-invasive technologies that works at the cellular level to restore function rather than simply treating the surface.
Myolift Triwave + Anma Lift: A Powerful Fascia-Centered System
The Myolift Triwave system has become a favorite among estheticians for its ability to:
Stimulate collagen and elastin production
Increase ATP by up to 500%
Lift and tone facial muscles
Improve microcirculation
Encourage healthy lymphatic drainage
When paired with the Anma Lift attachment, the benefits increase even further. The attachment is specifically designed to release fascia tension while simultaneously moving lymphatic fluid — helping reduce puffiness and improving nutrient and oxygen delivery to the skin.
How Fascia Release Supports Collagen
Releasing tight fascia:
Improves fibroblast communication
Enhances cellular repair pathways
Increases nutrient flow to collagen-producing cells
Allows muscles and skin to glide properly
Boosts the effects of microcurrent by reducing resistance
This makes microcurrent paired with fascia release one of the most effective at-home techniques for restoring firmness, improving contours, and supporting long-term collagen health.
Skincare Ingredients That Increase Collagen and Elastin
When it comes to rebuilding collagen, certain bioactive ingredients make a powerful difference. Stem cells and growth factors help restore healthy communication within the skin, signaling fibroblasts to increase collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Exosomes boost this process even further by enhancing cellular repair and improving the delivery of active ingredients. Peptides support collagen by strengthening the skin barrier and encouraging firmness, while Vitamin C provides essential antioxidant protection and is required for strong, healthy collagen formation. Together, these ingredients form the foundation of a results-driven routine that supports firmer, healthier, more resilient skin.
Collagen Supporting Favorites
LED Light Therapy for Collagen Health
LED light therapy is one of the most effective non-invasive technologies for supporting collagen production. Red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate into the dermis, increasing ATP (the cell’s energy source) and activating fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin. Regular LED use helps strengthen the skin’s structure, improve firmness, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall skin repair. Devices like Omnilux offer clinically proven results and make it easy to support collagen health consistently at home.
The Bottom Line
Everyone loses collagen — but you have incredible influence over how quickly it happens.
By supporting your hormones, nourishing your body, choosing the right skincare, and protecting your skin from UV damage, you can dramatically slow collagen loss and help rebuild your skin’s natural strength and elasticity.
Healthy, firm, radiant skin is absolutely possible at every age — and we’re here to help you achieve it.
Looking for expert skincare guidance? Our team of licensed estheticians will help you create or refine a routine that fits your skin’s unique needs — starting with a free email skincare checkup.
FAQ: Collagen Loss, Aging, and Skin Health
What causes collagen loss in the skin?
Collagen loss is primarily caused by natural aging, declining estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause, UV exposure, inflammation, stress, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet and smoking. These factors weaken fibroblasts, slow collagen production, and accelerate collagen breakdown.
At what age do we start losing collagen?
Collagen production begins to decline in our mid-to-late 20s, decreasing by about 1% per year. This loss accelerates significantly for women during perimenopause and menopause due to reduced estrogen levels.
How does menopause affect collagen levels?
Estrogen is vital for collagen synthesis. During menopause, falling estrogen levels cause a rapid drop in collagen—women typically lose up to 30% of their collagen in the first five years of menopause. This leads to thinner, drier, less elastic skin and visible volume loss.
Can you restore collagen naturally?
Yes. While you can’t fully stop collagen loss, you can support natural collagen production by eating collagen-rich foods, taking targeted supplements, protecting your skin from UV rays, using collagen-stimulating skincare ingredients, and maintaining healthy sleep and stress habits.
Which skincare ingredients boost collagen the most?
Ingredients that have the strongest impact on collagen include stem cells and growth factors, exosomes, peptides, extremozymes, and vitamin C. These support fibroblast activity, protect against collagen breakdown, and enhance the skin’s repair processes.
Does LED light therapy help build collagen?
Yes. Red and near-infrared LED wavelengths increase cellular energy (ATP) and activate fibroblasts, leading to improved collagen and elastin production. Consistent LED use can help firm the skin, reduce inflammation, and improve texture over time.
Do collagen creams actually work?
Most topical collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. Instead, look for products with ingredients that stimulate your own collagen production—such as peptides, vitamin C, growth factors, and stem cell technologies.
What are the signs of collagen deficiency?
Signs of collagen loss include thinning or crepey skin, fine lines, decreased elasticity, sagging, hollow under-eyes, sunken cheeks, brittle nails, joint stiffness, and slower wound healing.
How can I prevent premature collagen loss?
You can protect your collagen by wearing daily sunscreen, reducing sugar intake, managing stress, supporting healthy hormones, using antioxidant-rich skincare, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking.
Is collagen loss reversible?
While you can’t fully reverse collagen loss, you can rebuild and strengthen your collagen matrix with consistent use of collagen-stimulating skincare, LED therapy, a collagen-supportive diet, and ingredients like stem cells, peptides, vitamin C, and exosomes.
Author
Jeana LeClerc
Jeana LeClerc is a licensed esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist, and the founder and CEO of Art of Skincare . With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the skincare industry, Jeana specializes in regenerative skincare —a powerful, holistic alternative to conventional anti-aging treatments.
Rejecting the pressure of injectables and invasive procedures, Jeana champions science-backed, skin-nourishing solutions that support healthy, youthful skin from the inside out. Her mission is to help clients achieve lasting skin transformation through personalized routines, professional-grade products, and a deep understanding of how the skin functions and regenerates.
At Art of Skincare, Jeana leads a team of expert estheticians dedicated to delivering results-driven skincare, from clearing acne to supporting healthy aging . Her blog and online consultations are trusted resources for those seeking radiant, resilient skin without compromise.
