The subtle changes many people notice first and what science explains about collagen, aging, skin, joints, and natural renewal processes.

May 11, 2026 | ⏱ 6 minutes reading time | 🔬 Educational content based on scientific knowledge

Collagen is often associated with skincare and beauty, but it is actually one of the body’s most important structural proteins. It is present in the skin, joints, connective tissues, cartilage, blood vessels, and other body structures.

What many people don’t know is that the natural production and organization of collagen can start to change relatively early.

Scientific literature describes gradual changes that can begin during young adulthood, long before visible signs of aging appear. Over time, the body’s ability to produce and maintain its collagen structures changes, and these variations can manifest in different ways.

Below we explain five changes often mentioned in relation to the passage of time and collagen-containing structures, from a clear, educational, and easy-to-understand perspective.

*Important: this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The changes described below can have many different causes unrelated to collagen.

 

1. Your skin no longer seems as firm or elastic as before

Why is collagen important for the skin’s structure?

Collagen makes up an important part of the skin’s dry weight and forms a structural network present in the dermis. This network contributes to the organization, firmness, and mechanical properties of the skin.

During youth, the skin usually has a more uniform structure. As collagen production and organization change with age, the texture, thickness, and appearance may also gradually change.

Research describes a progressive decrease in collagen synthesis during adulthood. Its exact rate varies between individuals and is influenced by factors such as age, sun exposure, daily habits, and hormonal changes.

Changes that some people often notice

Fine lines become more visible

Over time, the skin may appear thinner or less even.

Changes in elasticity

The skin may respond differently to movement or pressure than it did years ago.

Greater sensation of dryness

The hydration and skin care needs can also change with age.

Changes in areas of greatest movement.

The eye contour, expression lines, and neck texture are often some of the first areas where differences are noticed.

📊 The speed of these changes can vary considerably between individuals.

2. Your joints may feel different during movement or exercise.

What role does collagen play in the joints?

Cartilage, the connective tissue that covers and cushions joints, contains collagen as one of its main structural components. Type II collagen is especially present in this tissue.

As the body ages, natural processes related to the maintenance of cartilage and other connective tissues may also change.

This does not automatically mean there is a disease or joint problem. However, many people notice gradual changes in comfort, mobility, or the amount of rest they need after physical activity.

Areas most frequently mentioned.

• Knees.
• Hips.
• Fingers.
• Lower back and spine.
• Shoulders.

Why physically active people often take an interest in collagen.

Athletes and active people subject their connective tissues and joints to repeated mechanical loads. For this reason, collagen is an increasingly studied topic in sports nutrition and connective tissue research.

🦴 Collagen and connective tissues are closely related structurally.

3. Hair and nails can become more fragile over time.

The relationship between collagen and keratin.

Hair and nails are mainly made of keratin. Protein synthesis in the body requires various amino acids, including proline, which is also found in the composition of collagen.

This is one of the reasons why collagen often appears not only in conversations about skin but also in content related to the appearance of hair and nails.

Changes that some people describe over time.

Hair may appear thinner or weaker.

Especially during stages associated with age, stress, or hormonal changes.

Nails can become more brittle.

Some people notice more flaking, breakage, or texture changes.

Texture can gradually change

In some cases, hair may seem less smooth or strong than before.

It is important to remember that these changes can also be related to diet, hormones, stress, sleep, iron levels, certain diseases, and other lifestyle factors.

💅 Proline is present both in the structure of collagen and in various protein synthesis processes.

4. Your body may need more time to rest and recover

Why collagen is part of natural repair processes

Collagen is part of the structure used by the body during normal tissue repair processes.

When the skin or connective tissues suffer an injury, the body generates a temporary matrix that helps organize the tissue during the natural repair process.

This process is part of normal wound healing and tissue recovery.

Which some people notice with age

Small wounds may take longer to heal

Compared to younger stages of life.

The skin may respond differently

Especially after episodes of irritation, dryness, or exposure to environmental factors.

Physical recovery can feel different

Many active people notice that their need for rest after exercise gradually changes over time.

Why this goes beyond appearance

Collagen is not just a topic related to beauty. It is a structural protein present in tissues that need to maintain specific physical properties in different parts of the body.

🔬 Collagen is part of the natural structural framework of many tissues.

5. Collagen and NAD+ are studied in different areas related to aging

The growing scientific interest in NAD+ and collagen

Collagen and NAD+ often appear in different research lines related to aging and cellular function.

NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme naturally present in the body and participates in numerous cellular reactions. Its levels can change with age, as do other biological processes.

Why researchers study these processes

The formation and organization of collagen fibers depend on numerous enzymatic and cellular processes. Meanwhile, NAD+ is involved in various metabolic reactions within cells.

This does not mean that combining both ingredients guarantees a specific combined effect. The possible relationship between the cellular environment and collagen structures remains an area of research.

For this reason, there is growing interest in better understanding how various cellular and structural processes change during aging.

⚡ NAD+ and collagen are studied in different but related areas concerning biological changes associated with aging.

Frequently asked questions about collagen

At what age does collagen production start to change?

Various scientific sources describe a gradual decrease in collagen synthesis during adulthood. In women, hormonal changes during menopause may coincide with more marked variations in the skin's structure and appearance.

Is liquid collagen different from powder or capsules?

Liquid collagen comes in a ready-to-use formula, while powder must be mixed and capsules swallowed. The main practical difference lies in the dose amount, ease of use, and personal preferences, not in a universal superiority of one format over another.

Why do some formulas combine collagen and NAD+?

Some modern formulas combine collagen peptides and NAD+ because both ingredients appear in research areas related to age-associated changes. This combination describes the product's composition but should not be interpreted as a guarantee of specific combined effects.

Do collagen structures change the same way in men and women?

Not necessarily. Hormonal changes can affect the skin and other tissues, especially during menopause. In men, some age-related changes tend to occur more gradually.

This is one of the reasons why some brands develop different formulas for women and men.

What habits can influence the aging of the skin and its structures?

Scientific literature often links the following factors to faster changes in the appearance and structure of the skin:

• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation
• Smoking
• High sugar consumption
• Persistent stress
• Insufficient rest
• Insufficient vitamin C intake

Vitamin C is especially important because it contributes to the normal formation of collagen for the proper functioning of the skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, gums, and teeth.

EssenzaVital® liquid collagen with NAD+

A daily formula with hydrolyzed collagen peptides and NAD+

EssenzaVital® liquid collagen with NAD+ has been developed to combine hydrolyzed collagen peptides and NAD+ in a convenient daily liquid formula.

Main features

• 💧 Liquid collagen format
• ⚡ With NAD+
• 🔬 Hydrolyzed collagen peptides
• 👩 Formula for women available
• 👨 Formula for men available

The two formulas share a base of hydrolyzed collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and NAD+, and incorporate a different botanical ingredient: French maritime pine bark extract in the formula for women and saw palmetto extract in the formula for men.

EssenzaVital® products are food supplements, not medicines. Food supplements should not be used as substitutes for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle.

Final thoughts

Changes in collagen production and organization are part of natural aging. They do not constitute a disease by themselves nor allow for the diagnosis of a specific deficiency.

The appearance of the skin, joint comfort, hair, nails, and recovery time can change with age. However, each of these changes can have numerous causes and should not be automatically attributed to collagen.

That is why it is important to maintain a balanced and evidence-based perspective: no isolated sign confirms a collagen deficiency or a specific medical condition.

What we do know is the following:

Collagen is not only present in the skin. It is a structural protein that is part of numerous tissues in the body and continues to be the subject of research in fields related to aging, nutrition, and active lifestyles.

Legal notice

*This article is offered for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any symptoms or health concerns.

EssenzaVital® products are food supplements. They should not be used as substitutes for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Individual experiences may vary.

This content has been written taking into account the general principles applicable to the communication of food supplements in the European Union and should not be interpreted as a medical or therapeutic statement.