[Should I Drink Collagen] Beauty Queens Won't Tell You This But, Why Are Collagen Hotpots So Popular

From Collagen hotpot (aka Mei Ren Guo) to collagen-infused chocolates to collagen-anything. Why the collagen craze? Collagen is said to be the key to baby-skin forever~ There are so many collagen in the market? Which is for me? Here's a quick dummy guide! How does collagen help us?

Our body needs and produces collagen so we have healthy organs, bones and skin. It is also a popular beauty supplement you drink to boost your collagen level for the ever youthful elasticity in your skin and obvious slow-down of ageing.

Have you tried the collagen hotpot? Collagen is a type of protein commonly found in fish and meats. So legit, anything with fish or bovine bones and fats will have collagen. What you're getting is actually just meat and fish broth (good marketing i'd say!)

Photo from Momiji shabu shabu

Watson has an entire range dedicated to Collagen as it's known as 'The Anti-ageing Stuff'

Photo from karenmnl.com

A decline in collagen production in our body will give us premature sagging boobs and wrinkles! Our body generates a healthy level of collagen on its own UNTIL our mid-twenties, that's when we may need some extra help. Yes, if you see signs of ageing earlier than normal,  you really should try taking in collagen now!

Photo from Shiseido

Some popular brands include Shiseido, Kinohitmitsu, Fancl and other made in Japan/ Korea brands.

Photo from callmemissrose.blogspot.com

Fancl Collagen

Photo from http://life-bite.blogspot.com/2013/08/dhc-collagen-7000mg-drink-review-results.html

Laneige Collagen

Photo from http://www.chiamhuiy.com/2015/03/laneige-collagen-drink-review-and.html

The recommended age to start drinking collagen is in your mid-twenties. A word caution to young beauty queens, do not start drinking it too early as your body is still producing a healthy level of collagen. It may end up counter-productive to your body's own production of collagen. Needless to say, it's an unnecessary burn in your pocket.

Expert's Recommendation: 5000mg of collagen per day
For younger consumers or new starters, you may consume those that are around 2000 mg before increasing the amount. Do not consume the very strong (7000 mg) immediately. Build it up over time and let your body get used to it.

Collagen drinks are made from extracting the good stuff found in fish or animals. Therefore, it is common to taste or smell a slight whiff of animal fat/fishy taste. The taste of collagen pills, powder or drinks should be taken into consideration before purchase.  If you're not keen on pork for religious purposes, do make sure it says 'Fish Collagen'

Photo from Paleo Hacks

Marine Collagen is usually more expensive. Apart from branding, they come in different concentration or different sources. Some consists of collagen + something different (eg. hyaluronic acid, birds nest ...) Buy what you need and not just the price tag!

Photo from weekender

When Li Nan Xing was asked, "how do you take care of your skin and still look so handsome after all these years?" He replied:

I use hydrating gel that helps to hide my wrinkles. [laughs] I also pack loose powder. I don't really like using a lot of products — I'd rather look rugged and masculine than soft and supple.

I also drink MU's collagen drink a lot. I drank it three times every day when I was filming in Taiwan. There’s a peach flavour that I kept thinking about.

Scientifically, collagen basically holds our insides together. Without it, we will literally fall apart. Our body generates collagen on its own but with age, the production of collagen decreases and it becomes a concern. So ingest collagen to keep up with your beauty health! Here's a summary:

Photo from foodfaithfitness.com

We are obsessed when it comes to beauty and female-related topics. We want value-for-money options and not to spend a fortune on beauty stuff only to give it away or worse, hoard it and let it rot until it's found by your granddaughter~

Drink up if you're in your mid-twenties or above today, investment in collagen will certainly go a long way~

Text By: Girlstyle SG