Collagen for Sun Season: How to Support Your Skin Before, During, and – Bare Bones

Collagen for Sun Season: How to Support Your Skin Before, During, and After UV Exposure

Summer vibes are calling — and while we’re all about chasing those golden rays, sun-kissed shouldn’t turn into sun-damaged.

Sunscreen? Non-negotiable. But your skin needs more than SPF to stay protected, healthy, and glowing. It needs more collagen.

As your skin’s ultimate wellness ally, collagen helps it stay hydrated and resilient through every beach day and backyard hang.

Fewer sunburns, less dryness, and way better selfies? Yes, please! Let’s break down the science behind skin that actually thrives in the sun, all season long.

🌞 UV PROTECTION FOR SKIN: SKIP IT, REGRET IT

Why does every dermatologist talk about how to protect skin from sun damage? Because of photoaging, aka premature skin aging caused by UV exposure.[*]

Ultraviolet rays — especially UVA and UVB — damage your skin on a cellular level. They generate harmful free radicals, break down collagen and elastin, and trigger inflammation.[*][*]

That’s why scientists blame sun exposure for the most visible signs of aging. We’re talking:[*][*][*]

Fine lines and wrinkles
Discoloration and hyperpigmentation
Uneven texture
Sagging, less elastic skin
Dry, dull skin

And yes, UV exposure also increases your risk of skin cancer.[*][*]

That’s why UV protection matters so much. It’s your skin’s defense strategy and your glow’s insurance policy. And it starts with collagen.

✨ COLLAGEN FOR SKIN HEALTH: WHERE STRENGTH MEETS RADIANCE

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in your body.[*] It acts as the structural support system for your skin, keeping it firm, plump, and smooth.[*]

But your body produces less collagen every year (bummer).[*] And when you combine that natural collagen decline with UV damage? You’re looking at deeper wrinkles, darker spots, and looser, less elastic skin.[*][*]

Not exactly the summer glow-up we’re after.

Adding collagen to your diet helps refill your tank. It also nudges your body to make more, so you can keep your bounce, suppleness, and long-term strength.[*][*]

Here’s what the research on collagen and skin health shows:

💫 COLLAGEN FOR SKIN TIGHTENING: REBUILD WHAT TIME TRIES TO STEAL

Skin elasticity — your skin’s ability to bounce back — depends on collagen and elastin.

But over time and with repeated UV exposure, these decline and your skin’s support system starts to slack. That’s when firmness fades, volume drops, and a subtle sag creeps in.

Thankfully, collagen can help write your comeback story! Studies reveal supplementing may help:

Stimulate collagen and elastin production [*][*]
Boost elasticity and firmness [*]
Tighten and strengthen skin structure [*][*]

In one study on collagen for skin elasticity, women aged 35–55 saw noticeable improvements in just four weeks — and those results held steady even after they stopped supplementing.[*]

No, it’s not a facelift in a scoop. But it is a gentle way to support bouncier, firmer skin as time (and the sun) do their thing.

💦 COLLAGEN AND DRY SKIN: HYDRATION STARTS WITHIN

One of the sneakiest signs of collagen loss? Dry, tight skin that still feels thirsty after moisturizer.

That’s because collagen plays a major role in keeping your skin supple and hydrated. When your body makes less of it (thanks again, aging and UV), moisture slips away too.[*]

Having extra collagen in your routine can:

Boost skin hydration [*]
Improve texture [*]
Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles [*]
Firm and plump your skin [*]

Best part? Better hydration means stronger UV protection.[*]

😎 COLLAGEN AND SUN EXPOSURE: STAY SUPPORTED OUTSIDE

Sunburns aren’t just a painful buzzkill; they’re strongly linked to a higher risk of skin cancer.[*] The safest option? Avoid the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Good in theory. Except most of us aren’t trying to live like vampires.

For us sun lovers, research suggests collagen may help us better handle UV exposure by reducing or even preventing some of the damage.[*][*]

⚠️ PSA: Collagen is not a replacement for sunscreen. But if it means more skin support for beach days, hikes, and poolside fun? We’re all in!

🩹 COLLAGEN FOR SKIN REPAIR: WHERE RECOVERY BECOMES RENEWAL

Forgot to reapply your sunscreen? It happens to the best of us. So now what?

Research on collagen for skin healing shows this mighty protein can help repair damaged skin and support your body’s natural regeneration — both when ingested and applied topically.[*][*]

To explore the link between collagen and sun damage, researchers tested a specific form of collagen on mice post-UV exposure. It helped them:[*]

Clear out UV-damaged collagen
Promote new collagen growth
Heal damaged skin faster and better

So, does collagen help sunburn? ✅.

Does collagen hydrate skin? Also ✅.

But now you’re probably wondering:

🧴 WHAT ABOUT COLLAGEN IN SKINCARE?

Viral peel-off masks, moisturizers, eye creams — collagen is everywhere in skincare these days. But when it comes to results? Dietary collagen still takes the crown.[*]

That’s because collagen molecules are usually too big to sink past the surface of your skin. Most topical products stay on the top layer, offering short-term hydration and a subtle plumping effect, but not deep, structural change.[*]

When you consume collagen, it’s broken down into amino acids that your body uses to build new collagen where it’s actually needed.[*][*] Think of it as investing in your skin’s foundation, not just the decor.

🪄 So smooth on one and sip the other — together they’re skincare magic, and just one part of a smarter sun routine.

✅ HOW TO PROTECT SKIN FROM THE SUN (SPF, COLLAGEN, + MORE!)

We’re not here to tell you to stay in the shade all summer. But if you want your skin to hold up under the sun, there are a few habits worth stacking — before, during, and after you’re out there.

💪 BEFORE SUN EXPOSURE: BUILD YOUR SKIN’S DEFENSES

Give your skin a head start by prioritizing hydration and protection before you get outside.

Habit: Start your day with our Elevated Drink Mix or Instant Bone Broth. Both are rich in collagen and nutrients that hydrate and nourish resilient skin.

Stack It:

Don’t skip the SPF. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to block both UVA and UVB rays.[*]
Add vitamin C to your breakfast. Toss some berries, citrus, or spinach into a collagen smoothie to boost collagen production, lessen UV damage, and fight free radicals that break down your skin’s structure.[*][*]

Prepping your skin before sun exposure ensures it’s better equipped to handle the heat. Now let’s talk about what to do once you’re out there.

🍹 DURING SUN: DEFEND AND HYDRATE

Sun and heat? Ultra dehydrating — and a fast track to cranky skin and moods if you’re not on top of it.

Habit: Drink collagen like you would water. Toss our portable Elevated Drink Mix or Instant Bone Broth packets in your bag so you can sip collagen-packed lemonade or chilled bone broth (yes, cold broth is a thing!) straight from your water bottle.

Both give you natural collagen, electrolytes, and amino acids to support hydration and repair exactly when your skin needs it most.

Stack It:

Reapply your sunscreen. Set a timer for every 2 hours if you’re on dry land, and more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.[*] Spray sunscreen is your friend — especially for on-the-go touch-ups (even over makeup!).
Mix in physical UV defense. A wide-brimmed hat or visor, polarized sunnies, and breathable UPF clothing help block rays and keep your skin shaded while you stay outside longer.

The goal isn’t to hide from the sun — it’s to outsmart it. And once you’re back indoors, it’s time to shift into recovery mode.

🌅 AFTER SUN EXPOSURE: REPAIR + RECOVER

Your skin’s been through it — sun, heat, maybe a little burn — and now it’s time to cool things down, calm inflammation, and help your skin rebuild stronger.

Habit: Wind down with your collagen beverage of choice.

If the vibe is cozy, sip warm Instant Bone Broth while you Netflix and chill. Feeling fun? Mix up mocktails with Elevated Drink Mix and make recovery feel like a party.

Stack It:

Cool it down. Take a cool shower or use ice rollers on your face to calm redness and reduce inflammation. Follow with a hydrating serum and moisturizer.
Try a collagen face mask. Keep it in the fridge for extra soothing post-sun power.
Got a burn? Apply aloe to help speed healing and ease burn-related pain.[*]
Make your meals and snacks work harder. Cooking with collagen-rich bone broth adds flavor and function to healthy eats — and yes, we’ve got a guide for that. 😊