💔 In addition to the natural aging process, free radicals are primarily responsible for the breakdown of collagen: They are caused by UV radiation, for example, and then destroy the collagen fibers in the skin. This process is called photodamage .
Other environmental factors that promote collagen degradation include chronic stress , the consumption of stimulants , and an unhealthy diet . These factors impair the body's own collagen production by slowing the overall metabolism.