How Glucose Spikes and Uncontrolled Blood Sugars Affect Skin Health

By Ruth Casaletto | Chemist & Co – Integrative Skin Health & Aesthetics Clinic

We often think of sugar as something that affects our waistline — but it has just as big an impact on our skin. At Chemist & Co, we see every day how internal balance reflects in your complexion. Repeated glucose spikes and unstable blood sugars can speed up skin aging, worsen acne and inflammation, and slow your skin’s ability to repair.

Understanding this connection is one of the cornerstones of integrative skin health — looking beyond the surface to the internal factors that influence your skin’s resilience and glow.

🧬 1. The Science Behind Glucose and Skin

When you eat, your blood glucose naturally rises. Ideally, these rises are gentle and controlled. But when meals are rich in refined carbs or sugars, blood glucose spikes sharply — forcing your body to release large amounts of insulin.

Over time, these repeated surges trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage — all of which can show up on your skin.

🍬 2. Glycation: The “Sugar-Rusting” of Your Skin

Excess sugar binds to collagen and elastin — the proteins responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity. This forms Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), which stiffen and weaken these fibres.

The visible effects include:

✨ Loss of elasticity

✨ Fine lines and wrinkles

✨ Dull or uneven tone

✨ Slower wound healing

Glycation is like caramelising your skin’s support structure — once it happens, it’s hard to reverse.

🔥 3. Blood Sugar, Hormones, and Breakouts

High blood sugar increases insulin and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), both of which overstimulate oil glands and skin cell turnover. The result? More blocked pores, inflammation, and breakouts.

This is why acne often worsens with sugary foods or stress — both raise glucose and insulin levels, setting off hormonal cascades that affect the skin.

💧 4. How Unstable Blood Sugars Weaken the Skin Barrier

When blood sugars swing up and down, the skin’s barrier becomes compromised. You may notice dryness, irritation, or increased sensitivity. This imbalance also reduces the skin’s ability to retain water, making it appear dull and dehydrated.

🩹 5. Slow Healing and Inflammation

Chronically elevated glucose levels reduce circulation and impair immune response — slowing your skin’s ability to heal after breakouts or aesthetic treatments. This can also increase the risk of infection or pigmentation changes after procedures.

🌿 6. Supporting Skin Health Through Glucose Balance

At Chemist & Co, our approach combines clinical skincare, nutritional advice, and lifestyle medicine — because your skin can only perform as well as the system it’s part of.

Here’s how to keep your blood sugars (and skin) balanced:

✅ Prioritise protein and fibre — Start meals with vegetables and lean protein to steady glucose release.

✅ Move after eating — Even a 10-minute walk helps muscles use up glucose.

✅ Avoid refined sugars and processed carbs — Choose whole foods that provide steady energy.

✅ Hydrate well — Water supports detoxification and barrier function.

✅ Sleep and stress management — Both directly influence glucose control and inflammation.

✅ Topical support — Use ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and peptides to protect collagen and reduce oxidative stress.

✨ 7. The Takeaway

Your skin is a reflection of your internal biochemistry. By managing glucose levels, you’re not just supporting your long-term health — you’re also preserving collagen, reducing inflammation, and slowing visible aging.

At Chemist & Co, we help you understand how nutrition, hormones, and skin treatments work together to build truly healthy, luminous skin.

📍 Chemist & Co — Integrative Skin Health Clinic

💻 chemistandco.com

👩‍⚕️ Pharmacist-led expertise in clinical skincare, nutrition, and regenerative aesthetics.