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Author: Leila Tan
12 December 2025

Anti-glycation is a modern skincare approach that involves reducing sugar intake to minimize skin damage and achieve rejuvenated, healthy-looking skin. Before diving into sugar-free habits, let’s explore the four major benefits anti-glycation can bring to your skin and a comprehensive dietary guide to help you implement it correctly for softer, healthier skin.

1

What is the Glycation Reaction?

Sugar is an essential energy source for the body, but excess glucose can trigger a process called glycation. Imagine all the nutrients in your body soaking in syrup—they’re trapped and damaged, losing their original function. Once cells undergo this damage, they can no longer perform their normal roles.

When healthy proteins undergo glycation, they form Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). This chemical process was discovered by the French scientist Maillard, so it’s often called the Maillard reaction.

2

Is Glycation the Same as Glycosylation?

A common point of confusion is the difference between glycation and glycosylation. They may sound similar, but their biological effects are completely different:

• Glycation is a non-enzymatic process in which free sugars attach to proteins in the body, damaging their activity and preventing them from supporting health.
• Glycosylation, on the other hand, is an enzyme-driven process that adds sugar molecules to proteins to enhance their function and stability, without causing damage. Glycosylation actually strengthens the body rather than harming it.

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3

Anti-Glycation = Anti-Oxidation?

Many confuse anti-glycation with anti-oxidation. While both slow down skin aging, their mechanisms are different:

• Anti-glycation reduces sugar-induced damage, lowers AGE levels, and helps maintain hydration, firmness, and elasticity.
• Anti-oxidation protects against external damage caused by free radicals, such as smoking, alcohol, pollution, and UV exposure.

4

9 Major Harmful Effects of Glycation on the Body

1. Skin deterioration: Glycation silently damages skin proteins like collagen, causing dryness, wrinkles, enlarged pores, dullness, and dark circles.
2. Chronic fatigue: Glycation slows cellular function and thickens blood, reducing oxygen delivery and causing persistent tiredness.
3. Osteoporosis: Excess AGEs reduce protein content in bones, disrupting bone cell density and leading to weaker bones over time.
4. Cognitive decline: High AGE levels are toxic to neurons, accelerating memory loss and increasing Alzheimer’s risk.
5. Diabetes: Chronic glycation raises blood sugar levels, potentially leading to type 2 diabetes.
6. Fatty liver: Excess sugar can be converted into fat, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and potentially leading to severe liver issues.
7. Cardiovascular disease: Glycation damages blood vessels and contributes to atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.
8. Premature gray hair: AGE accumulation affects keratin and melanin production, causing hair to thin, fall, and turn gray.
9. Vision problems: Glycation weakens microvasculature in the eyes, potentially causing blurred vision, floaters, or hemorrhages.

5

4 Skin Benefits of Anti-Glycation

1. Reduce pigmentation: AGEs interact with melanocytes to increase melanin. Anti-glycation blocks this process, improving uneven skin tone, dark circles, and spots.
2. Smooth fine lines and wrinkles: By preserving collagen and hydration, anti-glycation helps prevent sagging and the formation of wrinkles around eyes, forehead, and nose.
3. Alleviate dryness and sensitivity: Reducing sugar intake stabilizes water balance in the skin, relieving redness, peeling, and irritation.
4. Prevent severe acne: Glycation increases oil production, aggravating inflammation in hair follicles. Anti-glycation helps maintain skin balance, reducing breakouts.

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6

Anti-Glycation Through Diet: 4 Easy-to-Find Foods

1. Low-glycemic foods: These foods prevent rapid blood sugar spikes. Examples: sweet potatoes, soy products, seaweed.
2. Antioxidant-rich foods: Many also inhibit AGE formation. Examples: green tea, oolong tea, grapes, blueberries, mulberries.
3. Swap seasonings: Replace salt, sugar, and soy sauce with herbs and spices—they not only flavor food but also provide anti-glycation benefits.
4. Eat whole, unprocessed foods: Swap desserts like cakes, cookies, and bread for whole foods, especially fruits. For instance, guava is suitable for diabetics and low in “sweet burden.”
5. Supplements: Anti-glycation supplements are available, but professional guidance is recommended for dosage and frequency.

7

Foods to Avoid and Lifestyle Tips

Avoid:

1. Added sugars – sugary drinks like milk tea accelerate glycation.
2. Deep-fried foods – high in fat and hard to digest; opt for steaming or boiling instead.

Lifestyle tips:

• Always apply sunscreen or carry an umbrella outdoors.
• Use skincare with antioxidants like niacinamide for dual protection.
• Exercise 20–30 minutes daily, consistently.
• Sleep 8 hours before 11 PM to support metabolism.

8

Perfect Medical Thermage FLX: Solve Skin Problems Without Cutting Sugar

If anti-glycation feels harsh and sugar-free life too boring, Perfect Medical Thermage FLX provides a more humane solution. Its effects last over a year, requiring only a few sessions for visible results.

• Patented monopolar radiofrequency penetrates fascia, heats skin from the inside out, and combines vibration and cooling technology for a pain-free, non-invasive experience.
• The new precision-designed probe covers every facial area with no dead zones, reducing treatment time by 25%.
• Post-treatment, there’s no downtime—you can return to work immediately.
• Treats wrinkles, double chin, facial fat, and large pores, with professional follow-up care to ensure no side effects.

Book now for: Professional skin analysis + Thermage FLX treatment. Limited slots available!

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Date should not be before minimal date

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FAQ

What is anti-glycation?

Anti-glycation blocks the glycation reaction, preventing collagen and moisture loss, stabilizing skin, and slowing aging.

Does anti-glycation mean cutting all sugar?

Anti-glycation means moderate sugar reduction. Some sugar intake is allowed.

What foods to avoid?

Avoid foods high in AGEs, especially desserts with added sugar like cakes, cookies, and bread.

Will anti-glycation cause low blood sugar?

Depends on the person. Moderate sugar reduction, including fruit intake, prevents hypoglycemia.

Can anti-glycation pills be taken long-term?

Yes, but they must be paired with healthy lifestyle habits for effective results.

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