Sugar isn't as bad for your skin as you think

Just don't put it in your mouth...

It's no secret that sugar has the power to turn our skin from a glowing beacon of health to a dull facade of skin. The problem being the two major effects that sugar has on your skin. It activates inflammation and produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles. Aside from this, it can also exacerbate skin conditions like adult acne and rosacea.

According to the NHS, women shouldn't consume more than 30g of sugar daily, which roughly equates to six teaspoons. Yet, a single bite of some of our favourite indulgences takes us way over that RDI. In turn, the chocolate bar we scoff during our 4pm slump accelerates our ageing process and voila, our once taught skin starts to droop and sag.

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Lost your sweet tooth yet?

But, there is good news. Sugar isn't ALL bad. In fact, rubbing sugar on your skin is a whole other story, completely.

First, sugar is a natural humectant, so it draws in moisture from the environment into your skin, keeping it hydrated and nourished.

Secondly, sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, which is responsible for breaking down the 'glue' that sticks dead skin cells together and encouraging cell turnover.

Lastly, it's an amazing exfoliant. Because the particles are very fine and melt when combined with water, they're less likely to tear your skin than other exfoliants, like salt based ones. However, keep in mind that brown sugar is not as coarse as white sugar, which makes it a better choice for sensitive skin.

So, if you haven't added sugar to your weekly grocery shop in a while, we suggest you throw a packet in your trolley next time. Then, team it with 5 anti-ageing facial exercises and you might just discover the best skincare routine of your life!