If your diet consists of foods heavy in refined and added sugars, it’s likely that your skin is suffering. These forms of sugar nearly always lead to a variety of skin issues, so this fall when your sweet tooth is running on overtime, remember these scary sugar facts and the alarming ways sugar ruins your skin.
Why Sugar Causes Inflammation
One of the main ways sugar affects 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. Sugar causes your blood sugar levels to surge and plummet, which leads to inflammation as your body’s natural response to a sugar crash. Skin inflammation also causes breakouts so avoid:
- Refined sugars
- Foods with added sweeteners
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Agave syrup
- Molasses
- Maple syrup
- Honey
Sugar Causes Breakouts
A sugary diet creates the perfect environment for acne to thrive. Sugar increases inflammation, making blemishes extra red and painful. A diet high in sugar also suppresses your body’s white blood cells, which fight off infection, leaving you vulnerable to acne-causing bacteria lurking on the surface of your skin. Increased inflammation also causes your body to produce stress hormones that boost your skin’s oil production, giving bacteria the greasy environment they need to populate and grow.
Sugar Causes Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Sugar’s inflammatory properties also lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen is what keeps your skin looking youthful and wrinkle-free. Sugar directly attacks collagen, eating it on a cellular level. This attack also dehydrates your skin and makes it look dull, even leading to premature wrinkles.
Sugar Causes Redness and Irritation
One of your body’s natural responses to inflammation is to become red and irritated. Many people who suffer from rashes or are prone to yeast imbalances can blame their diet as it’s often directly related to being too high in added and refined sugars.
Sugar Causes Dehydration
Sugar reduces the amount of water and hydration from your body’s cells, leading to dry, puffy skin. Dehydration is also responsible for under-eye circles and puffy eyes.
Sugar Causes Blood Sugar Imbalance
Digesting sugar causes significant, rapid changes in your body’s blood sugar levels. Whenever you eat foods with high sugar content, your blood sugar rises rapidly, and insulin is released into your cells. When you experience a sugar crash after your insulin levels fall again, it often leaves you feeling hungry, shaky, and affects your mood. This drastic rise and fall create an internal stress situation within your body, which leads to breakouts and dull-looking skin.
Sugar Causes Digestive Issues
Many people experience digestive issues after eating foods high in sugar content. Sugar is very hard on your digestive tract thanks to the fact that it creates inflammation and dehydrates you all in one-fell-swoop. In addition, sugar cannot be broken down into nutrients beyond simple glucose. Once the glucose is gone and your blood sugar spikes, sugar creates a toxic state in your stomach that does not fully digest. Any time food does not digest from the body it shows in your skin.
Sugar Worsens Allergies
Sugar causes flare-ups of allergies and eczema. Because sugar stimulates inflammation and suppresses white blood cells, your body is less able to fight off even mild allergens. If you suffer from food allergies and intolerances, your sugar intake can also make you more sensitive and make allergies worse.
Do You Have “Sugar Face”?
Staying away from processed sugars and simple carbohydrates is your first step to seeing the best possible version of your skin. Most experts agree that a diet rich in foods that contain nutritious antioxidants and fibers are essential to maintaining healthy skin. Be kind to your body and the appearance of your skin by scheduling a fall facial or skin treatment today with Radiance Skincare & Laser Medspa to mitigate the effects of sugar on your skin.