Most of us don't stop to think about how daily lifestyle habits are actually accelerating our skin ageing. It may surprise you to learn what is the most common culprit of skin ageing.
Chronological ageing is a fact of life we cannot avoid. When compounded with other factors like diet, UV exposure, pollution, alcohol, smoking, stress, illness, then we have the makings of a perfect storm to find ourselves ageing at a faster rate, both internally and externally.
FACT: Our skin loses 1% elasticity from the age of 18!
Skin elasticity sustains our youthfulness and is something we take for granted until we suddenly hit our 30s and look in the mirror to find the visible signs of ageing setting in.
FACT: Sugar is the most common skin ager in our lifestyle.
The downside of having a sweet tooth is that it creates havoc - not just for our teeth, weight and internal body health, but for our skin. When consumed, sugars attach to proteins and fats in our body, creating glycation, leading to wrinkles and inflammation. Glycation occurs automatically in the body and is a process triggered by excess sugars that attach to our collegen and elastin proteins, contributing to the breakdown of connective tissues in the dermal layer. These proteins are what keep our skin looking bouncy, firm and supple. Over time, AGE (advanced glycation end-products) form in our skin, making these proteins rigid, affecting the structural support of the skin, resulting in lines, wrinkles, furrows, sagging, etc.
Skin inflammation is also another effect of AGE, which compromises the skin's barrier, giving rise to dryness, discomfort, redness, irritation, sensitivity and other inflammatory conditions.
Reducing our intake of refined sugars in our diet is an important positive step towards maintaining and retaining a more youthful, healthier looking skin for longer.
Concerned about glycation?
Apart from adjusting to a healthier fresh food diet and ensuring adequate SPF protection outdoors to prevent further unwanted effects of ageing, we can become more proactive with our daily skin care. Choose products that are loaded with antioxidant and anti-glycation benefits as they help to improve elasticity and collagen support and fight the effects of free radicals that cause ageing.
At NSA, our skincare contains powerful Australian native extracts that are known to inhibit protein glycation, such as Mountain Pepper Leaf, Tasmanian Blue Gum and Tasmanian Kelp, whilst many more are rich in multiple phyto compounds such as antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids, to help improve and reduce the visible signs of ageing.
It's never too early to embark on a journey to embrace better health and ultimately a more youthful looking skin!
TIP> The upside to sugar is that it makes a fabulous smoothing body exfoliant due to its natural glycolic (AHA) acid content - you can try it in our Australian Native Body Scrubs.