Sweet Talk: Decoding Sugar's Sneaky Effects on Your Skin and How to Fight It

We’ve all heard the old adage: You are what you eat. While our brain knows that eating sugar-laden foods isn’t doing our complexion any favors, the heart (stomach?) wants what it wants—and it wants sugar. It's a real modern-day struggle, amirite?

The good news is, we’re not going to tell you to quit the sweet stuff entirely. Instead, we're diving into how you can navigate the sugary sea without wrecking your skin. We're talking about striking that perfect balance between treating yourself and treating your skin. Keep reading while we spill the tea—two lumps, please—on how to handle the sugar vs. skin situation like a pro.

What Actually Happens to Your Skin When You Eat Sugar

Before you go blaming sugar for everything, let's break down what's really going on underneath. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes peek at the drama that unfolds every time you indulge in something sweet.

• Aging: Enter glycation, the uninvited guest that crashes this sugary soiree and brings its friends, collagen and elastin loss, meaning you’ll be more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. 

• Breakouts: Sugar also throws a curveball at your hormones, spiking your insulin levels. The result? More oil production, which means more breakouts.

• Dullness: Excess sugar can cause inflammation, dimming your skin's natural glow. So if you've noticed your complexion losing its luster, sugar might be the culprit. 

• Dark Circles: A lack of sleep, which is often a side effect of sugar-induced energy crashes, can lead to dark under-eye circles. 

• Sensitivity: Too much sugar can mess with your skin's natural balance, leading to conditions like rosacea or eczema deciding to RSVP to your skin's party uninvited.

• Dehydration: Excessive sugar intake can throw off your body's water balance, leaving your skin feeling parched and looking less than radiant. 

• Hyperpigmentation: Remember that inflammation we mentioned earlier? Yeah, it can also lead to hyperpigmentation, leaving you with an uneven skin tone.

How to Reduce the Effects of Sugar on Skin

1. Add in Antioxidants

Nature's got your back, babe! Turns out, there's a whole lineup of antioxidant superheroes ready to swoop in and save the day. Berries, pomegranates, and leafy greens? Yep, they're like the A-listers of the food world. Packed with vitamins and polyphenols, they're the ones standing guard against the pesky free radicals that sugar sends your way. Even topical antioxidants, like CoQ10 in the KAT BURKI Dual Exfoliating Clay Mask, can help even your skin tone and improve hydration.

2. Calm Down Your Cleanse

Now let's talk relaxation—skincare style! We're taking cues from the pros and putting together a soothing skincare lineup that helps calm down inflammation, starting with a gentle cleanser. ORIGINS Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash helps purify and balance your skin without stripping away those crucial natural oils.

3. Gently Exfoliate

Soft and smooth skin is on the menu with TULA SKINCARE So Pumpkin Exfoliating Sugar Scrub. Made with a pumpkin-spice twist, this gentle formula buffs your skin and melts away excess oil, buildup, and debris. The addition of probiotic extracts and superfoods boost your skin’s softness, while fruit enzymes help unclog pores to leave you feeling fresh and radiant.

4. Get Back Your Glow

Searching for the secret to glowing skin? Easy. It’s the GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment, which gently exfoliates, hydrates, and helps visibly brighten the appearance of your skin. Formulated with a pH-balanced alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) complex of 2.5 percent, it exfoliates while helping to support your barrier for smoother, firmer-looking skin. Plus, with the goodness of hyaluronic acid, it intensely hydrates layer by layer for that plump, bouncy looking.

Ready to discover skincare and other beauty faves personalized just for you? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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