If your skin has been feeling dull, congested, and lacking radiance, a high-sugar diet could be a culprit. Let’s explore how sugar impacts your complexion, from triggering oil production and breakouts to accelerating collagen breakdown, leading to advanced skin aging. We share our top tips for achieving youthful, clear, healthy skin!
1. How Sugar Accelerates Skin Aging
When you eat sugar, your body breaks it down into glucose, causing a blood sugar spike. This glucose spike triggers a process called glycation, which is the destruction of collagen and elastin —proteins that keep skin firm and bouncy. This results in:
Effects of Glycation on Skin:
- Wrinkles & Fine Lines: Less elastic skin means more noticeable wrinkles.
- Sagging Skin: Collagen damage causes skin to lose firmness.
- Dull Complexion: Glycation makes skin appear dull and uneven.
Sweet Tip: Use products with antioxidants like vitamin C to fight glycation damage. We recommend starting with our Environ Vita-Antioxidant AVST Moisturiser 1 which is rich in Vitamin A, C, E & Antioxidants for healthy collagen production and improved skin function.
2. Sugar and Acne Breakouts
Too much sugar can cause acne by spiking insulin levels, which can stimulate your sebaceous glands - causing them to produce more oil. This can clog pores and lead to a proliferation of acne causing bacteria, resulting in inflammation and breakouts.
How Sugar Triggers Breakouts:
- Oil Production: Higher insulin can cause the sebaceous glands to overproduce oil.
- Inflammation: When the body processes high amounts of sugar, it can fuel inflammation, making acne (and scarring) worse.
- Weakened Skin Barrier: Excessive sugar consumption can disrupt the skin microbiome, which is one of the key components of the skin barrier defense systems in the skin.
Sweet Tip: Incorporate a retinoid to regulate oil production, normalize cell shedding, and reduce inflammation. Our best-selling Osmosis Clarify Blemish Retinal Serum contains retinaldehyde and mandelic acid, effectively clearing acne and reducing scarring for clear, breakout-free skin.
3. Our Top Tips: Skincare and Lifestyle
Skin Wins:
- Focus on Blood Sugar Regulation: Less glucose spikes = better skin
- Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, and heathy fats.
- Prioritize Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and consider supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Use Collagen Boosting Skincare: Build a skincare routine around collagen synthesizers like retinoids, peptides, growth factors and Vitamin C.
- Collagen Stimulating Treatments: Treatments like Microneedling, LED Light Therapy (Red Light), and Peels stimulate the bodies production of collagen and elastin.
Pro Tip: Buy 3 Collagen Builder Facials and get your 4th FREE!
*Even one microneedling session has proven to boost collagen for up to 1 year post-treatment
Take Action for Healthier Skin
The path to glowing skin starts with smart lifestyle choices and a personalized skincare routine. Need expert advice? Book an Appointment with a Face Club Skin Therapist today!