These 3 Common Habits Damage The Collagen In Your Skin — Are You Doing Them?

This doesn't just mean what products to use, either. How you use them and how you live your life day-to-day is just as important—so here are three mistakes to avoid if you want to keep your collagen intact and thriving as you age:

When you overuse retinoids (and chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, we should add), you're putting your skin at risk for damage. A broken skin barrier will appear red, irritated, and itchy, or you may even experience dermatitis. In general, it's best to cycle through your retinoid and exfoliators one to three times a week (a beloved concept called skin cycling).

Be sure to keep an SPF on your vanity and in your travel bag year-round—here's a list of our favorite clean formulas if you're in the market for a new go-to.

Although, stress is oftentimes unavoidable, and we certainly won't sit here and tell you that managing anxiety is a walk in the park. That said, if you want to cushion your collagen production from the effects of stress, feel free to opt for a collagen supplement to offset the possible collagen loss—here are the best science-backed options (that are actually worth the investment). 

These common habits can damage the collagen in your skin and thus contribute to accelerated skin aging, so remember to space out your retinoids, use SPF every single day, and try your best to ease your stress however you can. When you've checked those off the list, collagen supplementation may be a worthy venture to try regardless—here's why you might want to dabble in the daily practice.