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Difference Between Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
Collagen and hyaluronic acid are two crucial components of the skin that play different roles in maintaining skin health and vitality. While both are important for maintaining youthful, radiant skin, they have different functions and properties.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein that makes up about one-third of the total protein in the human body. It is the primary component of connective tissues such as skin, tendons, cartilage, and bones. Collagen is responsible for giving skin its elasticity and strength and for maintaining the structure of bones and joints. As we age, the production of collagen decreases, leading to the signs of aging such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and brittle bones.
Among its functions in the body include providing optimum bone and joint health, improved heart health, maintaining a healthy gut and weight, supporting connective tissues, muscles, and the skin.
It is located most densely in connective tissue (ligaments, skin, joints, tendons,), although it is present in muscle as well. Collagen makes up (by dry weight) −
90 percent of the sclera (the white part of your eye)
80 percent of tendons
70-80 percent of the skin
60 percent of cartilage
30 percent of bones
1–10 percent of muscle mass
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is a glycosaminoglycan, which is a long, unbranched chain of sugars. It is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is found in the skin, joints, and connective tissues. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it can absorb and retain water molecules. It plays an important role in maintaining skin hydration and plumpness. In the skin, hyaluronic acid binds with water molecules, which help to keep the skin moisturized, plump, and smooth. It is also essential for wound healing and tissue repair.
A 70 kg person has approximately 15 g of hyaluronic acid in the body. Hyaluronic acid builds up the intracellular substance in mammals and can be found in a variety of human organs and tissues – skin, heart valves, vitreous, synovial fluid, connective, epithelial, and nerve tissue. More than 50% of it is contained in the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a long, linear, insoluble biopolymer, made up of recurrent disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine, linked by glycosidic bonds. A hyaluronic acid chain may contain 25 000 recurring disaccharides. Its in vivo molecule mass is between5 000 and 20 000 000 Da. The average molecular mass in the human synovial fluid is 3 000 000 – 4 000 000 Da.
Hyaluronic acid of different concentration and under different trade names is used in −
Ophthalmic surgery;
Neurosurgery;
Orthopedics and traumatology;
Skin care, etc.
Differences: Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
One of the key differences between collagen and hyaluronic acid is their molecular structure. Collagen is a large, complex protein that is made up of long chains of amino acids. These chains are tightly packed together to form a triple-helix structure. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is a much smaller molecule that is made up of long chains of sugars. These chains are much less tightly packed than collagen, which makes hyaluronic acid more flexible and able to absorb and retain water molecules.
Another important difference between collagen and hyaluronic acid is their function in the skin. While collagen is primarily responsible for providing strength, structure, and elasticity to the skin, hyaluronic acid is responsible for maintaining skin hydration and plumpness. Both are important for maintaining youthful, radiant skin, but they have different roles to play.
As we age, collagen production declines, which can result in the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Hyaluronic acid levels also decrease with age, which can lead to dry, dull, and dehydrated skin. The good news is that there are several ways to boost collagen and hyaluronic acid production in the skin. Topical treatments such as collagen creams and hyaluronic acid serums can help to increase their levels in the skin. In addition, certain foods such as bone broth, fish, and leafy greens can also help to boost collagen production.
The following table highlights the major differences between Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid −
Characteristics |
Collagen |
Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Collagen is the main protein in human connective tissue |
Hyaluronic acid is a linear insoluble polymer – mucopolysaccharide. |
Origin of the name |
The name of collagen originates from the Greek word “kola”, which means glue, and the suffix “-gen”, which denotes for production |
The name is derived from the Greek word “hyalos”, meaning glass. |
Occurrence in nature |
In nature, collagen is found mainly in mammals, exclusively in animals. |
Hyaluronic acid is synthesized by all living organisms except algae. |
Occurrence in the human body |
Collagen represents 30% of the human protein. Its concentration varies in different parts of the human body and is 23% in the cranial bones, 50% in the cartilage, up to 75% in the skin, etc. |
A 70 kg person has approximately 15 g of hyaluronic acid in the body. More than 50% of it is contained in the skin. |
Chemical structure |
Collagen is made up of long spiral peptide chains. Each chain contains between 19 and 105 amino acids. |
Hyaluronic acid is a long, linear, insoluble biopolymer, made up of recurrent disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine, linked by glycosidic bonds. |
Molecular mass |
300 000– 400 000 Da |
5 000 to 20 000 000 Da |
Synthesis in the human body |
Collagen is constantly produced in the body, after the age of 30 this process progressively weakens over the years. |
In the human body, hyaluronic acid is synthesized by proteins located in the plasma membrane of fibroblast cells. |
Function |
The collagen is responsible for the tightness, firmness, proper humidity, elasticity, and constant renewal of skin cells. It is a major component of the cartilage and joints, teeth and bones, vital for muscle function and blood vessels structure. |
The hyaluronic acid is responsible for the smoothness of the skin and is associated with skin repair. It is the main building block of the vitreous of the human eye, an important structural component of articular cartilage, and a major part of the synovial fluid. |
Use |
The use of collagen includes bone grafts, tissue regeneration, burn surgery, cosmetic surgery, wound care, reconstructive surgical uses, slowing down the aging of the skin, strengthening nails and hair, etc. |
Hyaluronic acid of different concentration and under different trade names is used in ophthalmic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics and traumatology, skin care, etc. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, collagen and hyaluronic acid are two essential components of the skin that play different roles in maintaining skin health and vitality. Collagen is responsible for providing strength, structure, and elasticity to the skin, while hyaluronic acid is responsible for maintaining skin hydration and plumpness.
Both are important for maintaining youthful, radiant skin, and there are several ways to boost their production in the skin. By understanding the differences between collagen and hyaluronic acid, we can make informed decisions about how to best care for our skin and keep it looking healthy and vibrant.
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