Collagen is a fundamental protein in the human body, accounting for approximately 30% of total protein composition. It is crucial in maintaining the structure, elasticity, and hydration of skin and connective tissues.
With age and environmental stressors, like UVA/UVB exposure, diet, lifestyle, blue light, and pollution, natural collagen production decreases, leading to visible signs of ageing, such as lines, wrinkles, and dryness.
The Challenge: Ageing Lips & Collagen Decline
The delicate skin of the lips is especially prone to the effects of ageing and environmental stressors. Over time, natural collagen production diminishes, resulting in:
- Reduced lip volume and elasticity
- The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Increased dryness and sensitivity
Traditional lip care solutions often focus solely on temporary hydration.
Collagen Lips is engineered to go further—actively supporting collagen synthesis and moisture retention to restore soft, plump, and youthful-looking lips.
Collagen-based lip care solutions, like IMBIBE Collagen Lips, are designed to address these concerns by leveraging advanced collagen peptide technology to restore and protect the lips' delicate skin.
Lips & Hydration
Lips do not have oil glands (sebaceous glands) to keep them hydrated. Unlike other areas of the skin, which produce natural oils to retain moisture, the lips lack these glands, making them prone to dryness and chapping.
This is why external hydration from lip balms, serums, and products containing moisturising agents—like collagen peptides—is essential to maintain smooth and healthy lips.
Lips stay hydrated primarily through external moisture and natural bodily functions, but they are more prone to dryness because they lack oil glands.
Here's how lip hydration works:
1. Saliva
Moisture from the mouth helps keep the lips hydrated, but excessive licking can actually dry them out as the saliva evaporates quickly, removing natural moisture.
2. External Moisture Sources
Hydrating lip care products, such as lip balms and serums, provide a protective barrier to lock in moisture and prevent water loss.
3. Blood Supply
Lips have a rich supply of blood vessels, which helps keep the tissue nourished and slightly hydrated. This blood flow is also why lips appear pink or red.
4. Internal Hydration
Staying well-hydrated by drinking water helps maintain moisture levels in the skin and lips from within.
5. Environmental Factors
Humidity in the air can help lips stay moisturized, while dry climates, wind, and cold weather can cause them to dry out more easily.
Since lips lack the sebaceous (oil) glands found in other skin areas, they rely heavily on external care and internal hydration to stay moisturized and healthy.
Understanding Collagen and its role in lip care
Collagen is the primary structural protein found in connective tissues, including the skin, where it contributes to firmness, elasticity, and hydration. The lips, being one of the most delicate and exposed areas of skin, are particularly susceptible to dehydration, fine lines, and environmental damage due to the absence of oil glands.
This makes collagen an essential component in lip care products that aim to restore and maintain lip health.
Collagen peptides, particularly the highly purified and biologically active variants like GELITA Sol® C, offer a multifaceted approach to skin and lip health.
These micro-peptides penetrate the epidermis, delivering moisture and promoting the natural synthesis of collagen and elastin. The result is improved skin barrier function, enhanced hydration, and visible reduction in fine lines.
The lips are constantly exposed to environmental aggressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and temperature changes.
Without sebaceous (oil) glands to produce natural moisture, they rely heavily on external hydration and protection. Collagen-based formulations work by replenishing lost moisture, reinforcing the skin barrier, and stimulating the body's natural collagen production. This helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, smooth lip texture, and improve overall lip health.
Skin protection and skin barrier function improved, as shown by the increase of the barrier protein involucrin.
Gelita Sol C clearly demonstrates anti-oxidative reactivity on the skin. It reduced the amount of oxygen radicals by about 12% in comparison with the negative control.
Moreover, collagen peptides can help combat transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a process where moisture escapes from the skin into the environment. By forming a protective barrier on the lips, collagen peptides reduce TEWL, ensuring longer-lasting hydration. This is particularly important for maintaining soft, supple lips in harsh or dry conditions.
In summary, collagen plays a critical role in lip care by addressing the key concerns of hydration, protection, and aging. Products formulated with advanced collagen peptides, such as Collagen Lips, offer a science-backed solution to nourish, protect, and rejuvenate the lips, promoting a smoother and more youthful appearance.
Key Benefits of Collagen Lips
Hydration and Moisture Retention
Collagen peptides exhibit film-forming properties that lock in moisture, providing long-lasting hydration to the lips. According to research on GELITA Sol® C, participants reported sustained skin moisture and an improved skin feel over prolonged periods.
Anti-Ageing and Wrinkle Reduction
The bioactive peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production, addressing fine lines and wrinkles on and around the lips. Clinical evidence from GELITA Sol® C demonstrates that consistent use enhances skin smoothness and firmness while reducing visible signs of ageing.
Barrier Function and Protection
Collagen peptides bolster the skin's barrier, defending against environmental aggressors such as UV radiation and pollution. This protective effect helps mitigate oxidative stress and preserves the lips' natural elasticity.
Compatibility and Safety
Formulated through enzymatic hydrolysis, the collagen peptides used in Collagen Lips are non-allergenic, dermatologically compatible, and suitable for sensitive skin, ensuring safe and effective daily use.
