Everybody knows that sweet stuff is bad for you – obesity, diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay are just a few issues that result from over consumption. And to make matters worse, high blood sugar also accelerates skin aging. However, there are some sugars and sugar substitutes that are used within skincare products with notable positive benefits.

Betaine: is a natural supplement derived from sugar beets. It’s able to absorb and hold water and acts as a binding agent which helps the product spread evenly. This is a double benefit which makes it a popular ingredient in a wide range of cosmetics.

Mannitol: is a sugar alcohol derived from trees, marine algae and fresh mushrooms. Like Betaine, it is primarily a moisturizing ingredient and binding agent in cosmetics and beauty products. Because it’s sweet, it’s also a flavouring agent in lip balms. It has been FDA-approved for use in food for over 60 years and is non-carcinogenic, so its presence in skincare products is not troubling.

Xylitol: is a natural sugar alcohol and is one of the most popular sugar substitutes for diabetics. Scientists are currently researching whether xylitol increases the production of skin collagen, which is an important mechanism in skin aging. It is also being tested as a wound healing agent and anti-biotic.