Is sugar affecting my skin?
Potentially. A recent study in the journal JAMA Dermatology found a significant association between acne and the consumption of sugarladen food. But there’s more to the dermis-diet connection than the white stuff. ‘The skin is connected to your gut,’ says gastroenterologist Dr Roshini Raj. ‘When your gut health is robust, it’s harder for things to leak into your bloodstream and trigger inflammation,’ she says. Once sugar actually gets into your system, a process called glycation happens, which is when glucose binds itself to proteins like collagen and elastin, weakening them and causing skin to lose its radiance. (Collagen and elastin break down as you age, but eating sugar speeds it all up.) So what can you do? A full moratorium on sugar isn’t necessary. Aim to consume less than 25g a day, says dermatologist Dr Heather Woolery-lloyd. Also, refined sugars are the ones skin experts are concerned by – the natural sugars in fruit aren’t an issue. Being proactive about consuming foods that are good for your microbiome is a smart tactic, too – and for reasons beyond the condition of your complexion. Focus on getting enough fruit, veg, pulses and probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt with live cultures. Finally, Dr Woolery-lloyd advises applying topical retinoids, which help to speed up cell turnover, and antioxidants like vitamin C, which boost overall protection from free radicals and other undesirables. The glowy skin of your dreams? It’s an inside and outside job.