Elastin and Collagen, two very important proteins that have multiple jobs in the body. Elastin is not a type of collagen but another protein altogether. They are often confused for each other and while they do work together, they have very different roles. Collagen’s main job is to provide structure and support to the body while elastin’s main job is to provide stretchiness. And they are both fundamentally important to the skin. Think of collagen as a mattress and elastin is the box spring that supports it. Collagen helps keep your skin plump and smoother looking while elastin helps it snap back and have more spring and bounce. Working together, collagen and elastin help keep our skin firm and bouncy – the hallmark of younger looking skin.  

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Often referred to as the body’s scaffolding, collagen binds tissues and is the glue that holds the body together. Collagen makes up about 75% of the skin and as we’ve mentioned, is responsible for keeping our skin plump and smoother looking.  

Elastin, also very abundant in the body, is a stretchy protein resembling a rubber band. It can stretch out and shrink back – think expand and recoil - and is a major component of tissues in the body that require stretchiness like the lungs, bladder, arteries and even some ligaments. It’s also found in the connective tissue of the dermis layer and it’s what gives the skin the ability to stretch and snap back. Fun fact – elastin is about 1,000 times stretchier than collagen.

As we age, we start losing collagen and elastin. The body’s ability to produce collagen slows down and even produces lower-quality collagen while the loss of skin elasticity is a natural part of the aging process and leads to saggy, crinkled or leathery skin. Environmental factors as well as some of the lifestyle choices we make play a big role in the destruction of collagen and can accelerate the loss of skin elasticity. 

There are things we can do that help support our collagen and elastin. Eat healthy, exercise, always wear a sunscreen with SPF and have a regular skin care routine. Another way to support your collagen and elastin is by adding Glotrition to your wellness routine. 

Glotrtion’s Super Beauty Elixir and Afterglo Gummiceuticals are the perfect combination for younger looking skin. Working on similar skin benefits, each product does it in a different way with its own special ingredient blend. While the Super Beauty Elixir nourishes collagen, Afterglo nourishes elastin. Together, the products work synergistically to enhance skin smoothness, making skin more flexible and elastic. They also both have ingredients to help with skin tone and hydration – both important to healthy and younger looking skin. Super Beauty Elixir and Afterglo work together just like collagen and elastin. #BFFsForever