Collagen is the protein in our bodies that is responsible for the skin's elasticity. It also functions as a skin strengthener. It's a protein we want to pay attention to as it makes up roughly 75 per cent of the skin, nail, hair and joint tissue in our body.

According to Spa experts The Sanctuary, collagen breaks down in our skin at a rate of 1.5 per cent each year from the age of 25. Wrinkles and sagging are a direct result of collagen and elastin fibres breaking down in the dermis, the deepest layer of our skin. As they break down there is less support from underneath for the upper layers of skin, hence the saggy look. This is why if you are after a more youthful, plump complexion you should use moisturisers and treatments containing ingredients that promote the production of collagen.

Seaweed is one ingredient many spa products contain as it is packed with amino acids, which is essentially what collagen is made up of. If we uptake the amount of amino acids in our body by way of products applied to the outside of our skin, and ingesting food rich in these we will help stimulate our bodies collagen production.