We have all already noticed the direct effects of junk food (pizza, chocolate,...) on our skin. Especially after the holiday, the spike of sugar and high glycemic index food may be the reason for our skin break out, inflammation,... (along with alcohol, salty food,...)!

Sugar is a source of energy and is found in healthy foods like fruit and dairy. But eating too much sugar or high glycemic index food can lead to health issues, and also affects the skin in the short term (pimples, dryness,...) but also in the long term (aging signs). [1]

Balance your sugar excess with some beauty care active ingredients, and reach the sweet spot for your skin!

Sugars affects the collagen and elastin, through glycation

When absorbed in our body, sugars (such as glucose and fructose) bind with the amino acids present in the collagen and elastin proteins within the skin. Our skin proteins lose their functionality, stiffen and no longer play their role of skin support and elasticity.
This is a naturally occurring reaction, called glycation.
Excessive levels of sugar in our diet may exacerbate skin aging in the long term.

Fight the effects of sugar in excess with anti-glycation active ingredients

Prevent glycation with SEPITONIC™ M3.0 and AMBIATY EXTRACT!

Sepitonic™ M3.0 is a smart mineral complex made of essential minerals combined with organic anions for better efficiency. It effectively fights skin aging by limiting both intracellular and extracellular proteins glycation phenomenons: elastin and collagen remain functional, the appearance of wrinkles is reduced!
INCI: Magnesium Aspartate and Zinc Gluconate and Copper Gluconate

Plant extracts also contain strong molecules to help fight against glycation. Ambiaty extract is one of them: it’s a titrated extract from the leaves of the wild Ambiaty shrubs, endemic plants from Madagascar.

Ambiaty extract has been proven to reduce the glycation of collagen fibers by 37% induced by ribose sugar on skin model ex vivo to help with skin firmness.

INCI: Water - Glycerin - Vernonia Appendiculata Leaf Extract

Sugars can trigger inflammation

It has been shown that some dietary components can modulate key pathways to inflammation, in the same way stressful events and depression can influence inflammation. [2]

Refined starches, sugar, (but also saturated and trans-fats, low omega-3 fatty acids,...) can trigger oxidative stress and compounds that boost inflammation (NfkB activation, cytokines),... [3]
It can lead to skin breakouts, as well as dryness and can exacerbate existing inflammatory skin conditions. [4]

Prevent inflammation with SEPICALM™ S WP and HYDRACHRYSUM™

SEPICALM™ S WP is an active ingredient combining a lipoamino acid (amino-acid biovector) and minerals. It targets the key inflammation pathway that can be stimulated by a poor diet, and boosts the beta endorphins for a well-being sensation. Stinging sensation and skin redness are reduced, for enhanced skin comfort.

INCI: Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids - Sarcosine - Potassium Aspartate - Magnesium Aspartate

HYDRACHRYSUM™ is a powerful active ingredient extracted from the stem cells of the everlasting flowers. It protects skin from dryness and reduces the effects of inflammation, by breaking the Inflamm’dryness™ vicious circle, linking skin dryness with cytokines and inflammatory mediators.
Avoid skin dryness that can be induced by eating too much sugar!

INCI: Aqua/Water - Glycerin - Helichrysum stoechas Callus Culture Lysate

Sugar can increase acne

A sugary diet creates the perfect environment for acne to thrive. On top of stimulating inflammation, it also boosts the insulin hormone (as well protein or fat do) aimed to help the absorption and storage of this energy source by the cells.
Insulin spikes can set off a chain reaction associated with developing acne, like increasing sebum production. [5, 6]

Another recent study showed daily soft drink consumption significantly increases the risk of moderate-to-severe acne in adolescents. [7]

Prevent blemishes with PHLOROGINE™ BG PF and SUBLIGANA™

PHLOROGINE™ BG PF is extracted from the Royal sugar kelp, an algae coated with a film of mannitol (known to be a sweetener) when it washes up on the shore and dries. What’s better than an algae mastering sugar benefits to protect our skin from sugar’s effects?! [8]

On the skin, PHLOROGINE™ BG PF reduces the sebum production (-29.3% in 28 days) for a less greasy skin, less prone to acne).

INCI: Aqua/Water (and) Butylene Glycol* (and) Laminaria Saccharina Extract
*Plant Based, Renewable

SUBLIGANA™ is extracted from the Harungana tree from Madagascar, known as «The Protector of the Forest». It’s traditionally used in leaf decoctions against skin disorders and for wound healing.

With it’s antimicrobial, soothing and antioxidant properties, it a powerful skin perfector:

• Reduction of pore size
• Reduction of whiteheads
• Reduction of blackheads number

INCI: Glycerin - Aqua/Water - Harungana Madagascariensis Extract

Discover other solutions to say bye to blemishes here (opens new window)

Want to know more or request a sample? Ask us in the chat!

References:

[1] Kelly Bryant, Jessica Wu, MD. Here’s What Happens to Your Skin When You Eat Sugar. Available on https://www.thehealthy.com/skin-health/what-happens-to-skin-when-you-eat-sugar/

[2] Stress, Food, and Inflammation: Psychoneuroimmunology and Nutrition at the Cutting Edge Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868080/

[3] The effects of diet on inflammation: emphasis on the metabolic syndrome.
Giugliano D, Ceriello A, Esposito K. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006 Aug 15; 48(4):677-85.

[4] Yes, eating a lot of sugar can affect your skin. Here's how. https://www.insider.com/how-eating-sugar-affects-your-skin-2019-7

[5] Jennifer Burris, William Rietkerk, Kathleen Woolf, Acne: The Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 113, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 416-430, ISSN 2212-2672.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212267212019235

[6] Kwon HH, Yoon JY, Hong JS, Jung JY, Park MS, Suh DH. Clinical and histological effect of a low glycaemic load diet in treatment of acne vulgaris in Korean patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012 May;92(3):241-6. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1346. PMID: 22678562. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22678562/

[7] Xiaoyan Huang, MD, Jianglin Zhang, MD, PhD and al. Daily Intake of Soft Drinks and Moderate-to-Severe Acne Vulgaris in Chinese Adolescents. https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476%2818%2931208-3/fulltext

[8] [https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/sea-kelp/]