The prevalence of sweets in desi festive scenarios is so coveted that it is almost considered rude to turn them down at family gatherings! The result, the whole month’s worth of kaju katlis and ladoos resulting in ‘sugar skin’ — the phenomenon of waking up with a dull complexion after a night of bingeing on foods high in sugar. You might even notice fine line and wrinkles being more prominent or dark under-eye circles popping up more often during the festive season because of this. Not to forget breakouts, those are the worst! So, how exactly can you deal with this without having to give up on the delicious meals? We have a few tips…
- Why is a sudden spike in sugar intake bad for your skin?
- How to minimise the effects of binge eating sugar on the skin
Why is a sudden spike in sugar intake bad for your skin?
Sugar causes inflammation inside the body. The inflammation produces enzymes which break down the collagen in the skin thus resulting in loss of elasticity in the skin and making the skin oily. Sugar also dehydrates your skin making it sallow, dull and lacklustre. Additionally, the more sugar you consume, the more likely you are to develop insulin resistance, which can result in hirsutism (excess hair growth) and dark patches on the neck.
How to minimise the effects of binge eating sugar on the skin
Now, we are not going to tell you to quit festive sweets altogether. But there are some easy ways to minimise the effects it can have on your skin:
01. When we say sugar, we mean added and processed sugar. Plant-based and natural sugars, in fruits and vegetables, do not have such an effect on your skin. So stay away from processed sugar as much as you can.
02. Increase your daily water intake as it can help reduce sugar absorption in your body.
03. Balance out your sugar binge by cutting out on carbs and adding veggies and proteins instead.
04. Add antioxidant-rich drinks in your diet like carrot juice and green tea to balance the glycemic index disturbance caused due to sugar bingeing.
05. Pay close attention to your skincare routine — remove all the makeup at the end of the day, double up on the moisturiser and make sure to use a mattifying toner in your routine at least once a day. We recommend a formulation like the Lakme Absolute Pore Fix Toner. Infused with natural astringent witch hazel, it can counter the excessive oiliness caused by the sugar intake.
Main image courtesy: @kritisanon
Written by Sumona Bose on Oct 14, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!