Collagen is the key to firm, tight, supple, skin. Treat yours like it is literally gold—because it really is that valuable for youthful-looking skin. And as with any precious asset, you’ll want to multiply your investment. 

Enter collagen banking, or the concept of stimulating more collagen now so your body can use more of it later. The extra collagen support can keep signs of skin aging (fine lines, crepiness, and the like) from cropping up earlier than you’d like. Think of it like a collagen savings account! How’s that for a finance crash course?

Find a few ways to boost your collagen levels below. It’s never a bad idea to start saving… 

Research suggests that LED light therapy can help improve collagen production in the body. One study even found that patients receiving red light therapy on their face twice a week for 30 total sessions experienced improved skin complexion, skin tone, skin smoothness, and collagen density (as measured with an ultrasonographic test).

“Some theories suggest that red light therapy may reduce damaged collagen in the skin from traumatic injury or UV damage altering the balance to make way for new collagen production to occur,” board-certified dermatologist Erum Ilyas, M.D., MBE, FAAD, told mbg about the technology. 

The thing is, there are plenty of knockoffs in the skin care space. To make sure you have a quality collagen-promoting device, look for clinical studies, a stamp of FDA approval, and, ideally, praise from derms and estheticians. Or you can browse our favorite options here—we did the vetting for you. 

If you’re not protecting your body’s precious collagen, all the high-quality supplements and high-tech devices in the world just won’t help.

Smart sun care is critical, as UV exposure is one of the primary causes of collagen decline. In fact, one study observed collagen under UV light and found that there was a “significant decrease” in collagen structure afterward. This is because UV rays contribute oxidative stress in the skin, which affects skin at the cellular level and leads to photoaging. All the more reason to invest in a daily sunscreen and practice smart sun care habits (read: no sunbathing for sport). 

Antioxidants can fend off free radicals that lead to oxidative stress, thus further protecting skin from photoaging. One of the most famous players for collagen support is vitamin C, which protects the collagen you already have by working against collagen-degrading enzymes. 

“Vitamin C is a key cofactor in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, [which help] give your skin that plump and youthful appearance,” adds Keira Barr, M.D., dual board-certified dermatologist and mindbodygreen Collective member. That’s why some star collagen supplements include vitamin C in their formulas—but you can slather on the antioxidant topically, too. Here, find our favorite serums.