Do you know the scary facts about sugar and your skin?
I’m not a fan of eating refined and added sugars for many reasons, but particularly because of their effects on the skin. A diet heavy in foods with refined and added sugars nearly always leads to a variety of skin issues. Don’t believe me? Keep reading to discover these scary sugar facts and the alarming ways sugar ruins your skin.
With a few dietary changes, you can get beautiful skin in no time!
INFLAMMATION: One of the main ways sugar ruins your skin is by causing inflammation in the body. Sugar is highly acidic, and while all acidic foods cause inflammation to some degree, sugar is one of the worst. How so? Sugar causes blood sugar levels to surge, which triggers inflammation. A sign of inflammation is breakouts, so avoid refined sugars as well as foods with added sweeteners, including cane sugar, agave syrup, molasses, maple syrup, and honey, particularly if you’re prone to breakouts. If you want a touch of sweetness, opt for fresh fruit or the natural sweetener Stevia instead.
WRINKLES: A diet high in sugar can damage elastin and collagen molecules in the skin, increasing fine lines and sagging skin. Sugar creates wrinkles by affecting what type of collagen your skin is composed of. The most abundant collagens in the skin are types I, II, and III. Type III is the most stable and longest-lasting plump wrinkle-resistant collagen. When we are young, our skin has a great deal of type III. However, when you eat a diet high in sugar, excessive glycation transforms type III collagen into type I, a thinner and more fragile collagen – creating wrinkles. I discuss in-depth here the root causes of wrinkles and fine lines.
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BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE: Sugar causes significant, rapid changes in blood sugar. Whenever you eat foods with high sugar content, your blood sugar rises rapidly. Then, once insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, is released into your cells, it falls again. When you experience this sugar crash, you often feel hungry, shaky, and moody. Every time this happens, your body experiences internal stress, which often leads to breakouts and dull-looking skin. To protect yourself and maintain balanced blood sugar levels, eat meals that contain plenty of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Looking for something healthy and delicious that will balance your blood sugar and care for your skin and body? Check out the 19 best foods for your skin.
FREE RADICALS: Free radicals are the components that cause inflammation and disease in the body. Studies have linked high-sugar foods and high-sugar diets with creating free radicals in the body. Antioxidants are essential fighters in the war against free radicals, and foods with natural sugars, such as fruits and vegetables, are excellent sources. Follow a plant-based diet as much as possible, avoiding foods with added sweeteners, to boost your antioxidant levels and help your body win its fight against free radicals. Combat free radical damage from the inside out by using a pure source of omegas like The Spa Dr. Astaxanthin + Omega Krill and use an antioxidant serum like Nourish to help combat environmental damage on the outside.
REDNESS AND RASHES: The inflammatory properties of sugar also cause red, irritated skin. Many people who suffer from rashes or are prone to yeast imbalances can blame their issues on a diet loaded with sugar. To clear your skin, eliminate refined and added sugars and focus on beautifying green veggies and fiber-rich foods. To learn more about the root causes of redness and rashes check out my book Clean Skin From Within.
DEHYDRATION: Collagen is what keeps your skin looking young and wrinkle-free, but sugar attacks and eats collagen at the cellular level. This has a dehydrating effect on your skin and makes it look dull. And, of course, dehydration also leads to premature wrinkles. Sugar also sucks the water from your body’s cells, leading to dry, puffy skin and those terrible under-eye circles that we all hate. In addition to drinking plenty of water stay hydrated, avoid eating sugary foods, especially when you want to look your best.
DIGESTION PROBLEMS: Many people experience digestive issues after eating sugary foods, such as gas or a stomach ache. This is because sugar is very hard on your digestive tract, thanks to the fact that it creates inflammation and flora imbalances in the gut. Besides, sugar cannot be broken down into nutrients beyond pure glucose. Once the glucose is gone and your blood sugar spikes, sugar creates a toxic state in your stomach. And, any time food doesn’t digest well, it shows in your skin. Eliminating sugar tends to lead to a better functioning digestive tract, healthy microbiome, fewer food cravings, and better skin.
BREAKOUTS: Sugar creates a perfect environment for acne to thrive. First off, sugar increases inflammation throughout your body, making blemishes extra red and painful. Sugar can create imbalances in your gut microbiome, which leaves you vulnerable to skin that is acne-prone. And, increases in blood sugar cause insulin to rise, which triggers excess sebum production in the skin and androgen activity. This makes Olivia skin types more prone to breakouts.
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Reader Interactions
Very helpful, thank you for posting
very insightful. Thank you!
awesome article well explained about sugar and the effects on wrinkles,free radicals,redness rashes on skin no one is aware of this symptoms are related with intake of much sugar. my personal experience i die for sugar wherein i was suffering from rashes and did consult many dermatologist but no issue but your article does helped me. thanks
Thanks. I will stay away from sugar. I have been having weight gain, unexplained itching. I believe sugar is the cause. As of today no more sugar of any kind.
Thank you for this article. I have been itching and couldn’t quite tag what is doing it. I WAS sugar-free for years, but lately have added the occasional sweet in because I figured ‘why not?’ A month or so ago I started itching – a little at first in the head, more and more as time went on. I have now scratched raw, and noticed today that about 2 hours after eating a cooky, made with sugar, I started itching and my face is hot. I am hoping this is the cause – it makes me avoid sugar (mentally – if I have a good reason NOT to eat it, then I won’t – LOL!). Hoping getting rid of it will ease the itching over time. BTW, bentonite clay mixed with charcoal and spread all over helps immensely.