How To Prevent and Treat Skin Glycation

What is Skin Glycation?

Skin glycation is a process in which sugars in the body bind to collagen and elastin proteins, creating harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs).  Collagen gives skin strength and resilience, and elastin allows skin to be flexible and bounce back.  When these two fibers are compromised, the skin will start to age, and wrinkles and sagging skin will be more visible. Our article on skin glycation goes into more detail about understanding the formation of advanced glycation. 

How to Prevent and Treat Glycation in Skin

Although the effects of glycation is part of the natural aging process, some are more vulnerable to glycation than others.  An internal and topical approach can be taken to minimize the damage to collagen and elastin fibers.

• Dietary Adjustments
• Incorporate Glycation Targeting Skincare Products
• Maintain Healthy Lifestyle
• Professional Treatments

Dietary Adjustments For Aging Skin

Excess sugar molecules can damage the skin when they attach to collagen and elastin proteins, forming AGEs.  Reduce sugar intake by limiting foods with a high glycemic index and refined sugars such as bread, pastries, and sugary drinks. Consume foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins to reduce oxidative damage. Spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger also have an anti-glycation effect.

Use Anti-Glycation Skin Care Products

Topical skin care products can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.  Look foringredients like carnosine, antioxidants (vitamin C, resveratrol), peptides, proxylane, and glycyrrhetinic acid.  These ingredients neutralize free radicals and inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) thereby reducing signs of skin aging associated with glycation like wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Products like Glo Skin Beauty GlyPro AHA Resurfacing Peel can help address collagen glycation by resurfacing and retexturizing the skin. 

Maintain Healthy Lifestyle

Having a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in skin health.  Smoking can accelerate glycation of proteins resulting in skin texture that is rough, uneven, and creepy.

Extrinsic skin aging can also result from pollutants; therefore, the use of sunscreen is important to protect the skin.

Being active and exercising regularly can improve blood circulation and help regulate blood sugar levels that may lead to diabetes and aging. 

Adequate hydration helps the skin retain moisture which will improve skin elasticity and resilience.

Professional Treatments For Aging Effects of Glycation

Laser therapy and microneedling can help reduce the effects of skin glycation.  It promotes skin collagen production to reveal healthy skin. 

Chemical peels exfoliate to remove the upper layer of skin cells where accumulated glycation endproducts reside. This process reduces the visible sign of glycation damage.