The Hidden Impact of Sugar on Wrinkles, Acne & Skin Elasticity

Find Our What Sugar Does To Your Skin & Health: Tips from Springs Health & Wellness Clinic in Stockton Heath, Warrington

We’ve all heard that too much sugar isn’t great for your waistline, but did you know it can also speed up skin ageing? Sugar doesn’t just affect your energy levels or your weight—it’s also one of the biggest culprits behind premature wrinkles, acne, and dull skin.

At Springs Health, Wellness & Beauty Clinic in Stockton Heath, we believe knowledge is power. Let’s break down exactly how sugar impacts your skin - and what you can do about it.

1. What Sugar Really Does to Your Skin

When you eat sugar (whether it’s in sweets, pastries, or hidden in processed foods), your body breaks it down into glucose. High blood sugar levels trigger a process called glycation. Glycation occurs when sugar molecules attach to proteins like collagen and elastin—the very fibres that keep your skin firm and bouncy.

The result? Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) form and damage these proteins, leading to:

❌ Fine lines and wrinkles
❌ Sagging and loss of elasticity
❌ Dull, uneven skin tone

2. Sugar Fuels Inflammation (And It Shows On Your Skin)

Sugar spikes insulin levels, which can trigger inflammation. Chronic inflammation breaks down collagen, clogs pores, and increases oil production—all of which lead to:

❌ Acne and breakouts
❌ Redness and rosacea flare-ups
❌ Slower healing and more visible scarring

3. Sugar in Disguise: Alcohol’s Impact on Your Skin

It’s not just chocolate bars and sweets—alcohol is another form of sugar that can wreak havoc on your skin.

🍷 How Alcohol Ages Your Skin:

Alcohol is metabolised into sugar, which contributes to glycation and collagen breakdown.
It dehydrates your skin, leaving it dry, dull, and prone to fine lines.
Alcohol causes inflammation, which can trigger redness, puffiness, and worsen skin conditions like rosacea.
It dilates blood vessels, which can lead to broken capillaries, particularly on the cheeks and nose.

💡 The Morning-After Skin Reality: After a night of drinking, you might notice your skin looks puffy, tired, and dehydrated. Over time, frequent drinking can lead to premature ageing, loss of firmness, and persistent redness.

If you do enjoy the occasional glass, balance it out by hydrating well, choosing lower-sugar options, and supporting your skin with antioxidant-rich foods and hydrating skincare.

4. The Gut-Skin-Sugar Connection

Too much sugar disrupts your gut health, feeding bad bacteria and yeast (like candida). An unhealthy gut can show up on your skin as:

❌ Acne and inflammation
❌ Eczema flare-ups
❌ Dull, tired-looking skin

Supporting your gut microbiome with fibre, prebiotics, and probiotics can help balance your digestion and keep your skin clearer.

5. How to Reduce Sugar and Support Your Skin

✅ Eat More Whole Foods – Choose fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds over processed snacks.

✅ Hydrate – Filtered water with a pinch of mineral-rich salt keeps cells hydrated.

✅ Support Collagen Production – Load up on Vitamin C-rich foods, collagen peptides, and amino acids , prioritise protein for your essential amino acids.

✅ Balance Blood Sugar – Eat healthy fats and proteins with each meal to avoid insulin spikes.

✅ Boost Antioxidants – Berries, green tea, and dark chocolate (in moderation!) help combat free radical damage.

Did you know?

Your body needs protein for repair, renewal, and maintaining healthy muscles, skin, and organs. It’s an essential nutrient that supports hormone production, immune function, and overall vitality. However, eating too much protein—more than your body needs—can be converted into glucose (sugar) through a process called gluconeogenesis, which can lead to fat storage if not used for energy.

So, how much protein do you actually need?

For general health, most people need about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (or 0.36 grams per pound). If you’re active, aiming to build muscle, or want to maintain muscle as you age, your needs can increase to 1.2 - 2.0 grams per kilogram (or 0.54 - 0.9 grams per pound) of body weight daily.

For example:

A 70kg (154 lb) person might need anywhere from 56g to 140g of protein per day, depending on their activity level and goals. Aim for enough, but not excess - balance is key when it comes to protein!

The Bottom Line: Sugar Sneaks Into More Than You Think

Excess sugar - including the sugar in alcohol - can quietly accelerate ageing, damage collagen, and leave your skin looking older than it should. But the good news? You have the power to turn it around.

At Springs Health, Wellness & Beauty Clinic, we take a 360-degree approach to skin health, combining nutrition, skincare, and lifestyle changes to help you age gracefully. Book a consultation today and let’s create a treatment and nutrition plan that works for you.