The Skin Nerd: The bittersweet facts about sugar and the skin

Eating sugar in excessive amounts can offer a temporary high but it leaves an indelible mark on your skin

A high intake of sugar can contribute to glycation, a process that damages collagen and elastin — proteins that give the skin its plumpness and structure.

Reaching for something sweet is common when looking for comfort, but sugar is far from comforting to our skin. If you are seeing sagging, dullness or breakouts, it could be down to a sugar overload. We are all aware of the importance of a balanced diet when it comes to good health, but what is it about sugar that makes it such a bad guy when it comes to our complexions?

A high intake of sugar can contribute to glycation, a process which occurs when sugar in your bloodstream grabs onto protein molecules and turns them into advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Collagen and elastin — the things that give the skin its plumpness and structure — are proteins, meaning that they can get damaged via this process, leaving your skin looking lacklustre and haggard. Not so sweet now, hey? Along with inflammation, glycation also causes free radical formation and oxidative stress — key factors in accelerated ageing.