Sugar is Your Skin's Kryptonite

When we talk about sugar, we think of juicy, calorie-filled candy. Maybe diabetes, if you're a little macabre. However, the consumption of sugar causes more than metabolic problems, namely rapid aging. "This happens because of glycation, a process in which sugars and simple carbohydrates stick to proteins, causing their functional breakdown, which cannot perform their roles," explained dermatologist Dr. Rafael Soares.

According to Dr. Soares, glycation can occur in the skin to collagen and elastin, which facilitates the appearance of wrinkles and smile lines, in addition to sagging. "It's an action as harmful as the free radicals on our skin."

To avoid glycation, it is necessary to maintain a balanced diet, reduce the consumption of processed foods with a high glycemic index and opt for antioxidant foods. In addition, you can also use dermo-cosmetics and cosmeceuticals with antiglycant and antioxidant products to help maintain skin elasticity.

Using collagen preventively can also help patients who are suffering from this loss of elasticity. “To choose the best collagen, it is important to consider the quality of the product, the richness of type 1 collagen, the hydrolyzed form to facilitate absorption, and its association with antioxidants," he advised. Soares also states that you shouldn't use other types of collagen as they are connected to other areas and functions of the body.