Sugar is well known to be bad for your health, but it can also have detrimental effects on your skin as well. Not only does sugar destroy collagen, which aids in keeping us looking firm and youthful, but it also triggers production of insulin. Sugar also causes your immune system to weaken and too much of it means your skin cannot fight bacteria on its surface as well. Furthermore, sugar causes your skin to dehydrate by removing moisture from it.
Key Takeaways:
- Excess sugar attaches to collagen, making it brittle and reducing skin’s elasticity.
- Sugar can cause insulin levels to spike, leading to inflammation and puffiness.
- One-quarter of your body’s immune system is in the skin, so too much sugar can hurt the body’s defenses.
“Sugar literally takes moisture away from the skin (as well as other organs). And when your skin is dry, it looks tired, dull and lackluster – it can look more aged.”
