How Sugar Affects Collagen and Skin Health

How Sugar Affects Collagen and Skin Health

Have you been investing in skincare or treatments, yet your skin still feels dull or less firm? Are fine lines appearing earlier than you expected? You might be doing everything right on the outside, but could something in your everyday diet be working against you? It may be linked to sugar and its impact on collagen.

Think of collagen as the scaffolding that holds your skin in place. It keeps everything lifted, firm, and supported. Many people attempt to boost their collagen levels with treatments or skincare products. However, one habit often works against these efforts: consuming excessive sugar.


How sugar damages collagen in your skin

When you eat sugar, your body goes through a process called glycation. This happens when sugar binds to proteins and fats in your blood. It forms compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). [i]

AGEs damage collagen by stiffening and weakening its fibres. Over time, this breaks down the skin’s structure.


Signs of collagen damage in your skin

When collagen weakens, your skin often shows early signs. These include:

  • Fine lines or wrinkles appearing sooner than expected
  • Loss of firmness or a dull, tired appearance
  • A rougher or more uneven texture, especially around the cheeks or jawline

These changes may not seem dramatic at first. But they can add up over time, especially when sugar plays a role.


Common sources of sugar that affect collagen

Not all sugars affect your skin equally. Some types are more harmful than others, especially regarding collagen breakdown.

Refined sugars and high-fructose corn syrup have the most significant impact on glycation. These ingredients are commonly found in:

  • Soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened juices
  • Biscuits, cakes, and processed snacks
  • Flavoured yoghurts and cereals
  • Sauces, marinades, and condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauce

Even seemingly healthy options like fruit juice or honey can contribute to excess sugar intake if consumed in large amounts. Although these sugars may be natural, they still affect blood sugar and glycation when overused.

Reading ingredient labels and being aware of hidden sugars in everyday products is a practical way to protect your collagen over time.



Why sugar and collagen loss are connected

Collagen gives skin strength and structure. However, because it breaks down with excess sugar, skin loses firmness and elasticity, leading to earlier signs of ageing.

Sugar also increases inflammation and oxidative stress. [ii] That can make managing problems like acne, redness, or slow healing harder.


How to support collagen and reduce sugar impact

You don’t need to cut out sugar completely. Small changes can make a big difference: [iii]

  • Choose whole foods over packaged snacks
  • Cut back on sugary drinks
  • Eat more foods rich in antioxidants like berries, nuts, and leafy greens
  • Wear daily sun protection


Where Dr Wod Cosmetic Clinic fits in

At Dr Wod Cosmetic Clinic, we believe healthy skin starts with understanding what’s happening below the surface.

We take a personalised approach. First, we listen to your concerns. Then, we guide you toward treatment options and lifestyle changes supporting collagen health and long-term skin goals.

If you’re noticing changes in your skin and wondering where to start, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and care.

Book a personalised consultation at Dr Wod Cosmetic Clinic to confidently explore your next steps.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. Does sugar from fruit affect collagen the same way as added sugar?

Fruit contains natural sugars, but it also contains fibre and antioxidants. These help slow sugar absorption and reduce the risk of glycation.

2. How much sugar is too much regarding skin health?

Everyone is different, but regularly exceeding the recommended daily sugar intake can contribute to collagen breakdown over time.

3. Can sugar in skincare products damage collagen?

Topical sugar isn’t linked to collagen loss. The concern is primarily with dietary sugar.

4. Is there a link between sugar cravings and skin flare-ups?

While not direct, spikes in blood sugar can trigger inflammation, which may worsen skin conditions.

5. Do artificial sweeteners have the same impact on collagen as sugar?

Current research suggests artificial sweeteners do not cause glycation like regular sugar, but their broader health impact is still being studied.

6. Can high sugar intake cancel out the benefits of collagen treatments?

Excess sugar may counteract the effects of skin treatments aimed at improving collagen, especially over time.

7. How fast does sugar affect the skin’s collagen?

Glycation is gradual, but the effects can build up. Long-term habits matter more than short-term spikes.

8. Are low-GI diets better for collagen support?

Yes. Low-GI diets can help reduce blood sugar spikes and glycation, which benefits collagen maintenance.

9. Is sugar the only dietary factor that affects collagen?

No, sugar is one of several factors that can negatively impact collagen. Lifestyle habits like smoking and alcohol consumption can also degrade collagen. On the other hand, nutrients such as vitamin C, protein, and antioxidants play an important role in supporting collagen production and protection.


References:

[i] Prasad, C., et al. (2017). Advanced Glycation End Products and Risks for Chronic Diseases: Intervening Through Lifestyle Modification. Am J Lifestyle Med, 13(4), 384–404. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827617708991 , https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6600625/

[ii] González, P., et al. (2023). Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress: An Integral, Updated and Critical Overview of Their Metabolic Interconnections. Int J Mol Sci, 24(11), 9352. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119352, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10253853/

[iii] Sasaoka, Y., et al. (2021). Study on the Mechanism of the Blood-Glucose-Lowering Effect of Collagen Peptides from Sturgeon By-Products. Mar Drugs, 19(10), 584. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8541525/

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FAQ

How does muscle relaxing toxin injection work?

It works by relaxing facial muscles, thereby temporarily reducing and smoothing dynamic frown lines and wrinkles, i.e. those lines caused by movement of the muscles.

Who should not take botulinum toxin?

  • Had an allergic reaction to any of the botulinum toxin products or their ingredients.
  • Have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
  • A disease that affects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome).
  • Had any side effect from the product product in the past.
  • A breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema.
  • Swallowing problems.
  • Bleeding problems.
  • Plans to have surgery.
  • Had surgery on your face.
  • Weakness of your forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows.
  • Drooping eyelids.
  • Any other change in the way your face normally looks.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • Are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed.

Do treatment results differ?

Yes, individual results may vary. To get the best results, it's important to go to a doctor who is experienced in administering these injections.

What conditions can be treated effectively with laser therapy?

  • Vascular lesions

Well-defined lesions (abnormalities of the tissue, in this case the skin) that contain blood are usually amenable to laser therapy. These include unwanted blood vessels (‘broken capillaries’) on the face, and birth marks such as port wine stains. Depending on the size of the lesion, the number of laser treatments that are needed can range from 2 to 10 or more.

Laser therapy is also sometimes used for small varicose veins and spider veins.

  • Pigmented lesions

Pigmented lesions that can be treated include: freckles; solar lentigos (liver, or age, spots); flat, pigmented seborrhoeic keratoses (age warts); and café au lait spots (light-tan spots). Laser treatments for pigmented lesions are generally spaced 6 or more weeks apart, to allow your body to get rid of the dispersed pigment.

  • Tattoos/Not currently available

The principle of laser tattoo removal is basically the same as that of the removal of pigmented lesions, but the wavelength of the light beam needs to vary depending on the different ink pigments used in the tattoo. In general, homemade Indian ink tattoos and black tattoos respond most readily to laser removal. White tattoos do not usually respond to treatment. Red is relatively easy to remove, while yellow, orange and green are more difficult.

Skin that has been stained from nasal piercing or from iron injections also usually responds well to laser treatment.

  • Hair removal

Laser-assisted hair removal is both efficient and long term. It works best on thicker, darker hairs, as these hair follicles absorb more light than do smaller, paler hair follicles. Most people find that the amount of hair is reduced by 70 per cent or more after the course of treatment. Laser hair removal also avoids the possibility of ingrown hairs. Sweating changes are sometimes noticed in the treated area.

  • Signs of ageing

Laser resurfacing is used to help reverse the signs of ageing caused by sun damage. Signs of ageing include fine wrinkles and crinkly skin. Resurfacing is also useful in reducing the appearance of acne scars. Following treatment, your skin often takes several weeks to recover.

Laser resurfacing is a safer and more refined procedure than it used to be, but it is still not recommended for people with olive or pigmented skin because of the possibility of uneven skin tone or loss of colour from the skin after treatment.

  • Scars

Whether scars of previous surgery, acne or post burn scar, can all be minimised by laser resurfacing, CO2 fractionated laser is in particular useful for these conditions.

Who can be a good candidate for PDO Lift?

PDO procedures are safe for adults with mild to moderate skin laxity, who keep up with healthy lifestyles and have maintained their weight for at least three months.

Who can be a good candidate for Double chin Treatment ?

The best candidate is an adult 18 years or older with moderate to severe fat beneath the chin. You might not be a good candidate if you have had or are planning to have facial surgery, if you have trouble swallowing, are pregnant or nursing, or have an infection or medical condition in or near the planned injection site.