From collagen and protein synthesis to hyaluronic acid, skin ageing and the science behind your daily routine.
Collagen has become one of the beauty industry's most talked-about ingredients. You'll find it in powders, capsules and ready-to-drink formulas, often accompanied by the same message: more collagen, better skin.
But there's a question just as interesting as how much collagen a product contains: How does the body actually make its own collagen? It was one of the starting points when we developed Nourie Skin. Rather than adding collagen itself, we chose to look more closely at protein synthesis, the amino acids that make up the body's proteins and the nutrients involved in normal skin function. The result is a vegan formula combining glycine, glutamine, HMB, hyaluronic acid and carefully selected vitamins and minerals.
Here's everything you need to know about Nourie Skin, the science behind its ingredients and how it fits into a more considered approach to skin health.
01. What Is Nourie Skin?
Nourie Skin is a Swedish-developed food supplement formulated with a focus on normal skin function and the body's protein metabolism. The formula combines the amino acids glycine and glutamine with HMB, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin, zinc, selenium and inulin. Each ingredient has its own role. Together, they reflect a broader perspective on skin health than focusing on collagen alone. Nourie Skin contains no collagen and is entirely vegan.
02. Why Doesn't Nourie Skin Contain Collagen?
To understand that, we first need to understand what collagen actually is. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and a central component of connective tissue. It provides structure to the skin, but is also found in tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones.
In the skin, collagen is particularly important for firmness and strength. It works alongside elastin and other components that give skin its characteristic properties.
As we age, the balance of collagen changes. Skin cells gradually produce less new collagen, while existing collagen fibres are affected by ageing and environmental factors. This is why collagen is so often at the centre of conversations about skin ageing. But there's an important distinction: Taking collagen and making collagen are not the same thing.
When collagen is consumed, much of it is broken down during digestion into smaller peptides and amino acids. Some collagen peptides may be absorbed and have biological effects, and research has shown promising results for certain skin parameters.
However, that doesn't mean the collagen we consume travels directly to the skin and becomes new collagen there. The body produces its own collagen through a regulated biological process. Nourie Skin takes that process as its starting point. We chose a formula built around selected amino acids and nutrients rather than animal-derived collagen. This isn't a claim that collagen supplements have no effect, but a different way of approaching the nutritional needs of skin.
03. What Does Protein Synthesis Have to Do with Skin?
More than you might think. Protein synthesis is the process through which the body's cells use amino acids to build proteins, from enzymes and transport proteins to structural proteins such as collagen and keratin.
In the skin, collagen is produced primarily by fibroblasts, specialised cells that help maintain the skin's supporting structure. Collagen formation requires amino acids, but the process is more complex than simply having building blocks available. Cellular activity, biological signals and the availability of certain nutrients all play a role.
As we age, fibroblast activity changes, which is one reason the skin's collagen production gradually declines.
It was this understanding of the body's own protein production that inspired the development of Nourie Skin. Rather than adding collagen itself, we chose a vegan formula with selected amino acids and other ingredients, including vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
04. What Role Does Vitamin C Play in Collagen Formation?
This is where the science of collagen becomes particularly interesting.
Having amino acids available is only part of the process. Once collagen's protein chains have been synthesised, they undergo a series of chemical modifications that help them develop their characteristic structure. The enzymes responsible for these processes require vitamin C to function normally.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. This is an established physiological function, not simply another beauty trend. Vitamin C also contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. That makes it a valuable part of Nourie Skin's combination of amino acids, HMB, hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals.
An Often-Overlooked Detail: Vitamin C and Heat
Not all ingredients are equally stable. Vitamin C can degrade when exposed to heat, oxygen and light. The extent of degradation depends on several factors, including temperature, exposure time, acidity and formulation.
It's an interesting consideration in a category where many powders are marketed as something to stir into your morning coffee. A hot drink doesn't automatically destroy all the vitamin C it contains. But when vitamin C is part of a formula, understanding how preparation may affect the ingredient is worth considering.
To us, thoughtful formulation means looking beyond an ingredient's individual benefits and considering how the finished product is actually used.
05. Collagen Isn't Just About Production. It's Also About Breakdown.
When we talk about preserving skin collagen, the focus is often on how the body can produce more. But collagen balance is also influenced by how quickly existing collagen is broken down. One of the mechanisms involved in this process includes enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases, or MMPs.
These enzymes have normal functions in tissue turnover. However, their activity can also increase following factors such as UV exposure, contributing to collagen breakdown in the skin. Oxidative stress is another part of the biological picture. It occurs when the production of reactive oxygen species exceeds the body's ability to manage them.
Reactive oxygen species are naturally produced in the body, but are also influenced by external factors. They can affect signalling pathways involved in skin ageing. This is why it makes sense to consider skin collagen from two perspectives: the body's ability to produce new collagen and the processes that affect the collagen already present.
Nourie Skin contains vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium, all of which contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
06. Why Did We Include 120 mg of Hyaluronic Acid?
Because collagen isn't the whole story when it comes to skin structure and function. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the skin and forms part of the extracellular matrix — the environment of molecules that surrounds and supports skin cells. It is particularly well known for its ability to bind water.
It's also important to distinguish between hyaluronic acid applied topically and hyaluronic acid taken orally. They are used differently and have different bodies of research behind them.
Nourie Skin contains 120 mg of hyaluronic acid per daily serving. This dosage has been investigated in studies of oral hyaluronic acid, with some findings suggesting improvements in aspects of skin hydration.
Hyaluronic acid is part of our broader approach to skin composition, where both structural proteins and water-binding components play important roles.
07. What Does Inulin Have to Do with Skin?
Skin and gut health are increasingly being studied together. Researchers refer to this relationship as the gut–skin axis, exploring how the gut microbiome, immune system and skin may influence one another.
Nourie Skin contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre that can be fermented by bacteria in the gut. While research into the gut–skin connection is evolving, inulin adds another dimension to our approach to wellbeing beyond the skin itself.
08. What Does Nourie Skin Do for Hair and Nails?
It's easy to group skin, hair and nails together. Biologically, however, there are both similarities and important differences. Hair and nails are primarily made of keratin, not collagen. Keratin is also a protein, but it has a different structure and function. This means nutrients relevant to skin do not necessarily play exactly the same roles in hair and nails. That's why Nourie Skin also contains biotin, zinc and selenium.
Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin.
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails.
Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails.
It's worth remembering that these functions relate to maintaining normal physiology. A higher intake doesn't automatically lead to thicker hair or stronger nails if the body already receives sufficient amounts of these nutrients.
09. Did You Know Collagen Is Also Important for Joints?
Collagen isn't exclusively a skin protein. It is found throughout the body and plays a structural role in tendons, ligaments and joint cartilage. Different types of collagen are found in different tissues. Type I, for example, is common in skin and tendons, while type II is a central component of joint cartilage.
The collagen network in cartilage contributes to its ability to withstand mechanical stress. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage. It's another reason to understand collagen as part of the body's fundamental biology, rather than simply an ingredient associated with skin appearance.
10. What Can You Do to Influence Skin Collagen?
There's a difference between providing nutrients and influencing the mechanisms that regulate collagen turnover in the skin. For anyone interested in understanding skin more deeply, several areas are particularly worth exploring.
Retinoids and Fibroblast Activity
Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A and among the most extensively studied skincare ingredients for photoageing. Certain retinoids can influence gene expression and processes involved in collagen production and breakdown. Their effects depend on the specific retinoid, its concentration and how long it is used. This is a different mechanism from supplying amino acids through the diet. Retinoids aren't suitable for everyone, can cause irritation and certain types should not be used during pregnancy.
Protein Intake and Amino Acid Availability
The body needs an adequate protein intake to build and maintain its tissues. But protein quality and variety also matter. Different protein sources have different amino acid profiles. Combining foods such as legumes, grains, soy, nuts and seeds can help provide a varied amino acid intake. This is particularly relevant for those following a plant-based diet.
Skin Collagen and Hormonal Changes
Skin collagen is influenced by more than chronological ageing. Oestrogen plays a role in skin structure, and changing hormone levels around menopause can affect both collagen content and skin properties. This is one reason some people notice a more pronounced change in skin firmness during this period. A supplement cannot be expected to compensate for these hormonal changes, but understanding them helps explain why skin can change throughout life.
Professional Treatments
Certain dermatological treatments, including specific laser procedures and microneedling, are designed to stimulate the skin's repair processes. These treatments differ in effectiveness, risks and recovery time, and should be assessed by a qualified practitioner. They illustrate another important point: collagen can be influenced through several biological mechanisms. Nutrition is part of the bigger picture, but it isn't the only factor.
11. How Do You Take Nourie Skin?
We've made Nourie Skin simple to use.
Step 1: Mix Your Daily Serving
Mix according to the instructions on the packaging with cold or room-temperature water.
Step 2: Find Your Time
Choose a time that fits naturally into your day. What matters most is that the routine is easy to maintain.
Step 3: Stay Consistent
Take Nourie Skin according to the recommended dosage and consider it a complement to a varied diet and thoughtful everyday habits.
The flavour is a refreshing combination of lemon and elderflower.
12. When Can You Expect Results?
There is no exact timeline that applies to everyone. Protein synthesis is an ongoing process, but skin structure changes through several biological mechanisms operating over time.
During Nourie's development, a study was conducted with 20 participants over eight weeks.
The findings were encouraging:
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100% of participants showed improved skin elasticity.
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Improvements in skin elasticity reached up to 22%.
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70% of participants reported that their skin felt firmer.
The study was conducted on an earlier version of the Nourie formula, before hyaluronic acid was added. These findings are a valuable part of our product development and provide an interesting foundation for further research into the formulation.
For us, Nourie Skin represents a long-term perspective on skin, bringing together science, carefully selected ingredients and consistent everyday habits.
13. Why Does Consistency Matter?
Because skin is living tissue, not a static surface. The body continuously synthesises and breaks down proteins. Skin cells renew themselves, and tissue structure changes over time. But it's important to distinguish these biological processes from the effects of a supplement. Taking Nourie Skin every day does not guarantee a visible change. However, a regular routine makes it easier to use the product consistently according to the recommended dosage.
We don't see Nourie Skin as a short-term intensive treatment. It's a considered complement to the way you look after yourself over the longer term.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nourie Skin
Does Nourie Skin contain collagen?
No. Nourie Skin is a vegan formula containing glycine, glutamine, HMB, hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals.
Why did you choose amino acids instead of collagen?
Because we wanted to take the body's own protein production as our starting point. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, while vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
Can I take Nourie Skin alongside my regular skincare routine?
Yes. Nourie Skin is a food supplement designed to complement your regular skincare routine.
What's the best time of day to take Nourie Skin?
Choose the time that works best for you and follow the dosage instructions.
Is Nourie Skin vegan?
Yes. Nourie Skin contains no animal-derived collagen.
What does Nourie Skin taste like?
Lemon and elderflower.
A Different Perspective on Skin Health
No single ingredient can explain skin health. Collagen matters. But so do the amino acids that make up the body's proteins, vitamin C's role in collagen formation, nutrients that help protect cells from oxidative stress, and the biological processes that change throughout life. It was with this understanding that we developed Nourie Skin.
A formula without collagen, but with a clear purpose behind every ingredient.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Always follow the recommended dosage.