These are just three of the ways I keep collagen production top of mind when it comes to my skin-care routine. (For even more tips, read our full report here.) And in the meantime, I’m going to work on being kinder to myself—and my reflection.
Reader Question
I’ve been swimming a lot this summer and my nails are super brittle. How do I get them to stop breaking?
— asks Anonymous Allure Reader
Dear Reader,
Go bare. Give your nails some TLC in-between manicures and add a strengthener to your nail-care routine, along with a hydrating cuticle oil.
Have a burning skin-care question? Send one in.
Editor’s Pick
BEST OVER-THE-COUNTER RETINOL: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream
- Smooths fine lines and clears breakouts over time
- Formulated with 1% retinol
- Spiked with soothing ingredients, like chamomile, to balance the powerful retinol strength
Quick Tip
While we’re on the topic of boosting collagen production, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the growing number of ingestible powders on the market today that claim to do just that. The thing is, though, there’s simply no data to prove these add-to-water concoctions actually boost anything.
And even if there was some sort of scientific evidence that guzzling daily DIY skin-firming cocktails worked—which, again, there’s not—”[collagen] doesn’t know where to go in your body—it’s not like that,” dietician and nutritionist Keri Gans previously told Allure. Meaning, that even after you’ve chugged your drink, the alleged benefits wouldn’t immediately spring to your face.
So skip the powders, and instead, add a topical retinol to your skin-care routine.
Book Club
Somewhere to Stay by Grace Turner
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ .5 out of 5
Warning: You must enjoy spicy, forced-proximity age-gap romances in order to read this book. It’s so hot and steamy I’m almost embarrassed to recommend it here, but I’ll be brave. Stacy’s Ryder’s single mom has it going on, and his BFF, Theo, is very interested—and now they’re roommates. What could possibly go wrong? 😅