GLYCATION · RESEARCH NOTE
One biological process that can make skin structure less resilient over time.
Skin ageing has no single cause. Genetics, time, UV exposure, smoking, sleep and nutrition all shape how skin changes. Glycation is one part of that wider picture.
Glycation begins when sugars react non-enzymatically with proteins and form compounds known as advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. In skin, collagen matters because it is a long-lived structural protein. AGE-related cross-links can make collagen fibres stiffer and less flexible, while glycated collagen may be harder for the body to break down and replace. Researchers also study how AGE signalling may interact with oxidative stress and inflammation.
This does not mean one sweet meal creates a wrinkle overnight, or that sugar is the only cause of skin ageing. It means glycation offers one useful way to understand why collagen can become less adaptable and why skin structure may lose resilience over time.
IN BRIEF
Glycation can change the flexibility and renewal of collagen—but it is only one part of skin ageing.
Source: Gkogkolou P, Böhm M. Advanced glycation end products: Key players in skin aging? Dermatoendocrinology. 2012;4(3):259–270.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.22028
Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3583887/
This article discusses published research for educational purposes. The cited findings do not constitute evidence for BioraLab's finished product and should not be interpreted as medical advice.