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Seeing the effects of aging on our skin is an expected part of growing older, but as it turns out, a key part of aging is something you may not have even heard of before: glycation. Glycation plays a part in how your skin looks and acts as you age, and skin care makers are zeroing in on glycation when it comes to creating new anti-aging skin care formulas. Ready to learn more? We’ll bring you up to speed on the definition of glycation and what you need to know about this process and your skin.
Glycation is a natural process that occurs as you age, starting at about age twenty. Excess sugar in your body begins to bind with fats and proteins, creating compounds called advanced glycation end products or AGEs. And though it’s a natural process, there are some external factors at play that can contribute to glycation and accelerate its effects. “A diet that contains a lot of foods with a high glycemic index—meaning they quickly spike your blood sugar—can accelerate glycation,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. Some examples of foods and drinks with a high glycemic index include sugary beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, potatoes, processed snacks and refined grains (white bread, non whole-grain cereal). “Exposure to the sun’s UV rays and environmental factors such as pollution and lifestyle choices like smoking can also accelerate glycation,” he says.
AGEs tend to gravitate toward collagen and elastin, the very proteins in the skin responsible for keeping skin feeling supple, plump and springy. When an AGE latches onto a protein, it becomes weak and stiff. “Over time, as more and more damage accumulates, it will begin to show on the surface of the skin in the form of fine lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Skin will also lose its suppleness and elasticity and begin to sag and look dry, dull and tired.”
High-quality skin care products can help reduce the visible effects of glycation on your skin. Many companies continue to develop formulas that specifically address AGE formation with antioxidants and other active ingredients that stimulate healthy collagen production. Here are a few of our favorites:
From Spanish skin care brand ISDIN, this face day cream contains carnosine, an ingredient that actually acts as an anti-glycation agent. It helps reduce glycation and prevent the formation of AGEs in your body by attracting sugar molecules to attach to the carnosine molecules rather than the collagen and elastin in your skin. This moisturizing formula also contains niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This potent anti-aging face cream from SkinCeuticals features an innovative formula that works by helping stop glycation before it starts and also correcting existing signs of aging. A combination of glycyrrhetinic acid, Proxylane concentrate, antioxidant-rich wild fruit flavonoids, niacinamide and HEPES (hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid) all work together to reduce glycation, prevent free radical damage, combat dullness and smooth fine lines. It can be used as part of your morning and evening skin care routines.
Help prevent the effects of glycation on your skin while you sleep with this powerful night cream. It contains a trio of antioxidant-packed ingredients—resveratrol, green tea polyphenols and caffeine—along with the brand’s proprietary REG-ulate 360 Complex to help enhance your skin’s firmness and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid deliver a hydrating boost while bakuchiol—a natural retinol alternative—helps fade dark spots.
Leading this serum’s impressive ingredient list is copper tripeptide-1, a peptide that helps stimulate collagen production for more youthful-looking skin. Hyaluronic acid helps give your skin an instant plumping effect, while fruit acids and willow bark extract work as powerful yet gentle exfoliants, smoothing rough texture for brighter, smoother-looking skin.
Adding a targeted eye cream to your skin care routine is a great way to help improve signs of aging from glycation around the eyes, such as crow’s feet. Green tea polyphenols provide glycation defense while peptides help support your skin’s elasticity. This formula also includes retinol, an all-star anti-aging ingredient that helps improve skin texture and tone as well as diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
Curious about retinol? You can read more about the best retinol products for aging skin on the LovelySkin Blog.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
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