The other day, my friend and I decided to go to a patio brunch in downtown Atlanta. Overlooking a sun-kissed skyline, we sat there catching up on each other's lives. We discussed everything from the latest HGTV project she was working on to how I came to work at a skincare company. Lingering on that subject for a while, she devoured the biggest chocolate croissant I had ever seen. Every bite seemed to drown out all the tension that had risen from her nightmare kitchen revamp.
Eventually finding space in her mouth for words, she paused for a second and, out of nowhere, asked me the most unusual question, "Is 'sugar face' actually a real thing? I mean, is this one croissant seriously going to cause a breakout?"
Laughing and eating, I marinated in her question for a while. Does eating sugar cause breakouts?
The truth is, I first connected the sugar dots to acne after I did an intense detox that ruled out all desserts. I mean a low-carb, low-fruit, and nothing-sweet kind of detox. After about a month and a half, I felt healthier and leaner, and my skin was golden brown perfection. So, what did I do to celebrate? I went out and indulged in a colossal milkshake with cookie dough securely nestled on top.

A real-life picture of the best milkshake EVER!
Was this what caused the sudden string of breakouts that plagued me in the months to come? You might think that the answer is yes. But the truth is quite surprising.
What's the Deal with Sugar and Acne?
Have you ever dreamed of taking that first bite of a brownie or a silky yet firm piece of chocolate cake and feeling its warm gooey-richness fill your mouth? Smelling it before it reaches your lips, you instantly start imagining the taste of rich cocoa and the faintest hint of vanilla.
You can insert any dessert into those few lines above, and it would resonate with someone's taste. Sugary foods are universal. They reach out to almost everyone and leave you wanting more. And while we have been taught that sugar is horrible, especially for your skin, what if there is more to the story?
"Sugar face" (SF for short) isn't as fast-acting as the ever-popular “sushi face” (coined by Julianne Moore) or "carb face" which are two other culprits that get blamed for sudden breakouts. Most times, you won't wake up the next day with automatic breakouts, puffiness, pronounced wrinkles, or a dull complexion.
I can recall the night I fell into my dessert coma after detox. I thought for sure that the very next day, my skin would freak out, and all of my hard work would restart. The surprise? My skin reacted just fine to that one night of dessert pleasure.
A couple of weeks went by, and my skin was still okay even though I hadn’t gone back to a strict clean diet. It wasn’t until a month later that I started noticing breakouts. Why was this?
Dermatologists have found that the process of glycation, the effect sugar has on the skin, is like a slow-reacting pill. The problem is when it's consumed in excess. Dr. Harold Lancer, the dermatologist to stars Kim Kardashian and Beyonce, explains that sugar "break[s] down collagen levels in the skin after some time and weakens the immune system which helps prevent bacteria from clogging pores. [Sugar] also makes our bodies less able to fight off bacteria, which then clogs our pores and leads to pimples."
That means that you may not see all of the signs of your sugar-fest right away. It will more than likely take a little time, and the more sugar you eat, the more your skin will suffer. Sugar is also super dehydrating. How? It diminishes the skin's hydration so that you look less perky and worn out due to under-oxygenation.
Did You Know- Prolonged skin drought can actually break down collagen, shrivel existing plumpness, and cause premature wrinkles and fine lines too.
You're probably asking at this point, "There's nothing else, right?"
Well, unfortunately, there is!
Sugar affects your hormones through an increase in testosterone. Yes, testosterone! The effects can disrupt everything from your menstrual cycle to your clear skin journey.
The telltale signs that you are producing too much testosterone are :
- Pores appearing larger
- Oily skin
- Dehydrated, lackluster complexion
- Dark circles

The good news? If you have a special celebration or occasion and you want to indulge for a night (maybe not with a colossal milkshake), you still can!
Eating the right things for your body and skin is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes patience and discipline. But, that doesn't mean that you don't have room for downtime. It just can't be an everyday thing. K?
The Natural Way to Combat Sugar Face
"Everything in moderation" is the anthem of my life and deeply applies to consuming sugar.
Dermatologists believe that within just 72 to 96 hours of a sugar detox, most people regain a better skin tone, even complexion, and a hydrated appearance. And the excess oil? Considerably reduced.
You may even notice that your skin feels plumper, firmer, and soft to the touch. So, does that mean the acne will go away too? If you indulged in moderation, then your skin may still be clear, or you may have a blemish here or there. With a good skincare routine, this should clear up in a little time.
However, if you have found yourself in a perpetual state of lousy sugar choices like if your celebration lasted a whole month versus a night, it might take a little while to see completely clear skin. But, don't get discouraged. Remember, this clear skin journey is a marathon.
What makes the difference in either situation is how diligent you are about your skin.
You just learned that the skin goes through a lot when you indulge in sugar. So, regardless if you're a repeat offender or try to be good and stick to the occasional treat, you need skincare that can keep your skin on target.
That is why the Clear Skin Kit is the ideal solution for your skin. This four-step acne-fighting routine is the first groundbreaking acne collection that targets acne by supporting the health of your skin. With 40 natural-based ingredients, antioxidants, and minerals, all of the products included help give your skin a luminous glow.
Here are some of the skin benefits of this one-of-a-kind kit :
- Helps to clear up breakouts, blackheads, and blemishes
- Evens out complexion
- Reduces inflammation
- Detoxifies your skin
Realistically, we know that a sugar fit will happen, so when it does, take the time to nourish your skin with a routine that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. Don't you think your face deserves love? Get on top of your skin and invest in lasting radiance!
Try the Clear Skin Kit today!
