Do you have a sugary donut in hand? Here's some news to get you off the pastries and walk away: Sugar ages you. While there are many factors that ruin your skin, sugar is probably one of the worst culprits for the total aging of your face and body. Not only should you avoid sugar for dietary reasons (U.S. health guidelines recommend that you trim far back), you now have the added incentive to protect your looks from the aging ravages of sugar. Here's a closer look at how sugar ages your face.
The effects of sugar on your skin
Sugar damages your skin through a natural process called glycation. The sugars in your bloodstream bind to proteins and produce harmful free radicals known as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). When AGEs build up (the more sugar you eat, the more they develop), they damage the proteins around them.
1. Damage collagen & elastin
The proteins most susceptible to damage are the ones that act as building blocks for your skin: collagen and elastin. These proteins keep the skin firm and elastic and are responsible for the plump and springy properties of a healthy and youthful complexion. AGE make your collagen and elastin stiff, dry, and brittle and zap them of strength and spring. The effects on your complexion can be seen in the form of fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles.
2. Affects the type of collagen you have
A high-sugar diet also affects the type of collagen you have. Your skin contains three main types of collagen (aptly referred to as Type I, II, and III). The stability and resilience of collagen builds up at every stage: Type I is the weakest and Type III is the strongest. Glycation breaks down Type III collagen into Type I, reducing the structural strength and stability of your skin.
3. Deactivates natural antioxidant enzymes
AGEs not only damage your skin's essential proteins, they also deactivate your body's natural antioxidant enzymes. Without protection from antioxidants, your skin is more prone to free radical damage caused by environmental factors such as pollution, blue light, and UV rays. Free radicals trigger oxidative stress, which contributes to premature skin aging (and binds to your skin's structural proteins).
Signs that sugar is aging your skin
According to the British Journal of Dermatology, the visible effects of glycation appear in women around the age of 35. At this point, oxidative damage, hormonal changes, and the AGE development link accumulate. Your skin, unable to counteract the oxidative damage caused by adequate collagen and elastin synthesis, shows wear and tear. Here are the tell-tale signs on your face that sugar is the culprit that is aging your skin:
- The surface of your skin looks hard and shiny.
- Deep hatch lines appear along your upper lip.
- Discoloration and hyperpigmentation mark your skin.
- Deep gaps occur especially in the area of the smile line.
- The skin around your cheek area is slack.
7 ways to prevent sugar damage to your skin
The good news is that you are never late to prevent the visible signs of aging. Now that you know how sugar can damage your skin, here are some ways to fight the destruction and look your best:
1. Reduce sugar
Eliminating sugar from your diet entirely can be difficult, but there are a few ways you can reduce it. Prevention recommends limiting the added sugar to no more than 10% of your daily caloric intake and staying away from “hidden sugars” such as barley malt, fruit juice concentrate and maple syrup. Worst of all: high fructose corn syrup. This type of sugar, found in soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, and many packaged foods, produces the most AGE.
2. Increase your water intake
Drinking water does not directly affect the hydration of your skin, it helps your body more effectively perform the key functions that support healthy skin. Water is essential for the production of collagen and elastin. Keeping your body hydrated can improve its ability to counteract the aging effects of glycation. Drink plenty of water and include water-rich foods like cucumber, tomatoes, and watermelon in your diet to help maintain hydration.
3. Supplement your diet
Vitamins B1 and B6 are mentioned as AGE inhibitors in a number of published studies. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is found in green peas, sesame seeds, and spinach and has powerful antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is essential for skin development and care, is found in chickpeas, pinto beans and sunflower seeds.
4. Load up antioxidants
Antioxidants neutralize and protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. These naturally occurring vitamins and minerals negatively affect glycation by preventing sugars from attaching to proteins. Your body naturally produces antioxidants, but you can also find them in everyday foods like berries, leafy greens, and coffee. You can even find them in your skin care regimen. Look for products that contain Vitamins C and E help collagen and elastin hold their shape and maintain their strength for your skin.
5. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of our best beauty secrets. While you sleep, your skin goes into full swing, regenerating and repairing any damage caused during the day. Studies show that Lack of sleep contributes to finer lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and less elasticity. But it comes down to more than the amount of sleep; Quality is just as important. Your body works most of its time in deep sleep to counteract the aging effects of sugar and other stressors.
6. Try a skin detox
“The advantage of detoxifying the skin is that it gives the skin a fresh start. Detox stimulates a healthier environment for the skin and can encourage increased collagen and elastin production. These changes can help increase cell turnover and improve the overall skin barrier. "
ON Skin detox is another way to mitigate the damage caused by glycation. Eminence Organics Product support team leader Alicia Hawthorne explains: “The benefit of detoxifying the skin is that it gives the skin a fresh start. Detox stimulates a healthier environment for the skin and can encourage increased collagen and elastin production. These changes can help increase cell turnover and improve the overall skin barrier. "
Check out this In The Mix video for skin detox tips that can help your complexion:
(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNulGuapd8M (/ embed)
Adopt a skin care routine
We may suggest cutting out the sugar, but there is nothing wrong with using deliciously sweet and delicious products on your skin. That is a dessert delight Chocolate mousse hydration mask. Rich in cocoa flavors, this mask will remind you of a decadent chocolate indulgence. When it comes to cleansing, the acai mask for firm skin offers fruitful indulgence for the skin and a concentrated boost of vitamins and nutrient-rich ingredients that help your skin look refreshed and revitalized.
If you are dealing with dry lips or fine lines around the mouth, Rose Hip and Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF 15 is a moisturizing lip balm that contains zinc oxide, rose hip oil, lavender and SPF protection. This delicious formula ensures that your wrinkles look plump and perfect.
The Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant gives your face a gentle exfoliation for a radiant complexion. Rice powder absorbs oil, while lactic acid and salicylic acid remove dead skin cells, and strawberries and rhubarb infuse the skin with antioxidants. Who can resist a little forbearance every now and then?
Have you tried any of these? Skin care products for the signs of aging caused by sugar? We'd love to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and follow us on social media to join the conversation.
This post was originally published in January 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.