Skin Care

Your Skin on Sugar

It's no surprise that overdoing it on the chocolate cake can make you pack on the pounds, but did you know it can also give you wrinkles? Through a process known as glycation, sugar destroys your skin. Here's what you can do about it

by Dawn Davis

1 of 7

Diet Tweaks to Make Now First, it's important to point out that glycation isn't only caused by refined sugar -- fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also turn into glucose when digested. However, they don't all act the same in the body. "Foods that rapidly convert to sugar when eaten cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels ... and cause a burst of inflammation throughout the body," explains Perricone. Therefore, these sugars are more likely to form AGEs -- and wrinkles. Sugar and flour fall into this category.

Perricone recommends following a low-sugar, anti-inflammatory diet. He suggests eating high-quality protein like fish, poultry, and tofu; low-glycemic carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils; healthy fats like wild salmon, nuts, and seeds; and drinking antioxidant-rich beverages like green tea.

When cooking, use less heat and cook foods slowly. "Don't barbeque or sear your foods," says Brandt. It creates a chemical byproduct called Acrylamide that has a high potential for glycation.

Finally, Brandt suggests taking carnosine supplements, which help build proteins and prevent glycation.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Serums to Combat the Damage

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

products mentioned

Dr. Brandt Collagen Booster

10.0

L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Serum

0.0

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub-D/Neck

7.5

BUY NOW

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex

0.0

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Eye Firming Treatment

10.0

leave a comment

Older comments

Thanks for the advice.

by Monique3 Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 06:15PM Report as inappropriate

This motivates me to eat less sugar, but most of the suggested products are out of my price range.

by purple9a Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 06:08PM Report as inappropriate

ill try not to eat a lot of sugar!

by mlyvng Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 12:41PM Report as inappropriate

Craving chocolate now.

by aimela Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 05:42PM Report as inappropriate

UGH. This sucks. It's going to be so hard to cut back on my sugar intake because all my teeth are sweeth teeth lol. I'm going to look more into buying a serum that helps this though!

by storrevillas Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 05:33AM Report as inappropriate

I did not know this about SUGAR (more than knowing it's bad for us), but knowing why is a powerful weapon. Good article. But, don't give up that POWERFUL anti-oxidant dark chocolate !!!

by islands4me Monday, March 4, 2013 at 07:02AM Report as inappropriate

Can't live without my chocolate. Thanks for the helpful tips

by Chica181 Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 04:56PM Report as inappropriate

The harm of what we eat is clearly, beautifully explained in this piece. Applause!

by GigiSD Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 06:25PM Report as inappropriate

I love my candy!!!

by yestfl Monday, February 4, 2013 at 06:55PM Report as inappropriate

Oh no I have a big sweet tooth

by LittleBunny Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 05:37PM Report as inappropriate