If your social media feed has been filled with jokes about being "trentahin na kasi" or "kaming mga trentahin," you're not alone. Behind the humor is a reality many people are beginning to experience as they approach their 30s: career shifts, evolving priorities, and physical changes, including those that affect the skin.

This was one of the topics discussed by Dr. Maika S. Slatensek, a registered surgeon and cosmetic dermatologist, during the launch of MyColla C, a hydrolyzed marine collagen with vitamin C supplement from Pascual Laboratories, held on June 30 at Manila House in Bonifacio Global City.

According to Dr. Maika, one of the changes that comes with entering the 30s is the gradual decline in the body's natural collagen production. This decrease can affect the skin's firmness, hydration, and overall radiance.

"Collagen helps support the structure of the skin," she said. "As the body matures, natural collagen production changes. For many women, this can show through skin that feels less firm, looks dull, or needs more support than before."

She also explained that collagen comes in different forms and highlighted why marine collagen, the main ingredient in MyColla C, is commonly used in collagen supplements.

"Marine Collagen is a familiar option in skin wellness because it is commonly used in products made for daily beauty support," she said. "It is sourced from fish and is often associated with Type I collagen, the type closely linked to skin's structure. When hydrolyzed, it is broken down into smaller peptides, making it easier to include in a daily routine."

While collagen supplements can complement a beauty routine, Dr. Maika emphasized that they should go hand in hand with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle to ensure the body receives the nutrients it needs. She also noted that consistency is important, as the effects of supplementation are seen through long-term habits. Beyond hydrolyzed marine collagen, MyColla C also contains vitamin C, a nutrient that plays an important role in collagen formation.

"Vitamin C is involved in collagen synthesis," she said. "That is why the conversation should go beyond collagen intake alone. We need to understand how nutrients work together in the body."

For individuals with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux, Dr. Maika s offered guidance on how to take the supplement. "It is recommended to drink in the morning or anytime of the day," she told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. "But if you have acidity, take it with the meal or with your antacid to be safe. But it's important to ask your doctors."

While the effects of collagen decline start in the 30s, she also noted that collagen supplementation can begin as early as a person's 20s, as this is when natural collagen production starts to decline.

Dr. Maika noted that collagen production begins declining as early as the mid-20s, although the effects usually become more noticeable in the 30s. "As early as your 20s you can start supplementing, because nowadays life is very fast-paced. There are a lot of external factors that are contributing to the degradation of collagen production."

MyColla C contains 3,000 mg of premium hydrolyzed marine collagen with vitamin C and is available in powder drink and chewable tablet formats. It comes in Strawberry Milk Powder, Unflavored Powder, and Strawberry Milk Tablet variants, and is available at select drugstores.