We all heard it during our teenage years… “Don’t eat too much chocolate or you’ll get pimples!” But did that really stop you from diving into the M& M bowl at your Friday night slumber party? Yeah right.
Post-slumber party years, the great debate has turned from the connection between acne and chocolate (unless you’re eating the WHOLE one pound bag of M&M’s don’t worry about this) to a possible link between sugar and wrinkles. Turns out, you are what you eat. Why? Blame it on a process called “glycation.” The more sugar you eat, the more glycation takes place and the more your skin’s collagen and elastin become dry and brittle. And that means…wrinkles and sagging.
It’s never too late to turn back the clock. Here are 5 quick tips to keep you sugar and wrinkle free!
1. Say “no” to Skittles.
It’s nearly impossible to cut out the sweet stuff entirely. After all, even whole grains and veggies turn into sugar when digested. But experts say to keep sugar to no more than 10% of your total calories, so for your average woman, that means slashing 160 sugary calories…you could do that by nixing one can of cola or six Hershey’s Kisses from your day.
2. Vitamin B1, B6, Be Beautiful!!
Supplement your diet with at least 1 mg of vitamins B1 and B6 a day. They prevent the wrinkle-forming glycation process from happening.
3. Run from sun.
Okay don’t run, just hide that pretty skin of yours. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF-30 sunscreen everyday.
4. Say I love you to antioxidants!
Meet your new best friends. These free-radical fighters keep sugar from destroying your skin. So load up on fruits, nuts, and veggies, especially cranberries, walnuts, and red bell peppers.
5. Protect your skin from sugar
Use skincare with topical antioxidants such as green tea and vitamins C and E. These are the best way to ensure nutrients reach the dermal layer of skin where collagen and elastin are located.
Think vino is just for drinking? Think again. Turns out wine is relaxing, whether you drink it…or bathe in it! Stars like Terri Hatcher swear by this beauty secret to keep their skin soft and radiant. How’s it work? Well, a substance called resveratrol can be extracted from grapes. It’s an antibiotic-like substance that protects the vines from fungus. When it comes to your skin, resveratrol not only keeps the skin surface firm, but it also improves elasticity. Even better, it stimulates cell multiplication, keeping skin young and rejuvenated. But don’t think you need to go out and spend a fortune on fine wine. Just save a glass from your bottle of dinner wine to add to your bathwater. When the dinner party’s over…light some candles, put on some soft music, and soak in the grapey goodness.
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