Let's start with a reality check: by our mid-twenties, our bodies are already producing less collagen—the essential protein that gives skin its strength, firmness, and structure. And while collagen often gets all the attention, elastin is just as critical. Together, they form the foundational support system of skin. As both decline, skin starts to lose its youthful bounce, volume, and resilience.

But here's the good news: you can help defend and preserve what you have now. Read on to learn what collagen and elastin do, why they break down over time, and how Dermalogica's Pro-Collagen Banking formulas are designed to help protect skin's future.

What is collagen?

Collagen isn't just a buzzword: it's the most abundant protein in our bodies, accounting for a significant portion of our skin, hair, nails, bones, and connective tissues. You can think of it as the scaffolding that holds everything together. It gives the skin its strength and structural support – maintaining its elasticity and firmness for a youthful, supple appearance.

The different types of collagen

There are over 28 types of collagen in the human body – but the majority of collagen in the skin (80-85%) is Type I collagen, which is responsible for skin's overall structure. Skin also contains Type III collagen (10-15%) for support and flexibility.

Why do we need collagen?

Collagen is the key to maintaining youthful-looking skin. It provides the framework that keeps our skin taut, wrinkle-free, and resilient. Collagen also aids in wound healing and tissue repair, as it forms a 'scaffold' for the growth of new tissue. Essentially, collagen is the foundation for glowing, healthy-looking skin.

Don't forget elastin

Elastin gives skin its elasticity; the ability to stretch and return to shape. Think of collagen as the cushion and elastin as the spring. While collagen production gradually, elastin is produced early in life and regenerates very little. Once it starts to degrade, skin loses its ability to "bounce back," leading to visible sagging and dullness.

What causes collagen + elastin loss?

Starting around age 30, we lose about 1% of our collagen each year. Elastin degradation happens earlier and is harder to reverse. Key contributing factors include:

• UV exposure: UV radiation accelerates both collagen and elastin breakdown.
• Environmental pollutants: Smog, smoke, and particulate matter increase oxidative stress.
• Chronic stress: Elevated cortisol levels impact collagen synthesis and hydration.
• Dehydration: Skin that lacks moisture shows fine lines more prominently.

What can I do to preserve the collagen + elastin I have?

Traditional collagen products often focus on replenishment but prevention is more powerful. Dermalogica's Pro-Collagen Banking Serum helps promote, protect, and preserve skin's collagen with every use. And the new Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream extends that protection to include elastin—making it a next-gen approach to skin longevity.

Pro-collagen banking serum + water cream

Pro-Collagen Banking Serum helps protect and preserve skin's collagen today, so you have more for tomorrow—supporting visibly plumper, more luminous skin and hydrating to help reduce the look of fine lines into the future. Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream helps plump and preserve collagen and elastin, supporting skin's resilience and barrier strength for visible bounce—now and into the future.

Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream is clinically proven to boost collagen by 44% and elastin by 56%*

This intensely hydrating water cream features water-burst technology delivers deep hydration to the skin. It allows water-based ingredients like multipeptides and humectants to break into tiny droplets upon application, creating a light, hydrating sensation on the skin. What makes this a next-generation water cream is that in addition to hydrating and plumping skin, it also fights oxidative stress to help preserve collagen and elastin. Bank collagen and elastin to support skin's resilience and barrier strength for visible bounce—now and into the future.

*Based on in vitro testing versus untreated skin.