Pleaseupgrade your browser to improve your experience.
You've seen the TikToks. Someone slaps a continuous glucose monitor on their arm, eats a banana, watches a line spike, and announces they've cracked the code to ageing. Cue the comments: "this is why I look 25 at 40."
It's a tempting narrative. But inflammaging, the slow, low-grade inflammation that quietly accelerates skin ageing, is a bit more complicated than your morning porridge. So let's sort the science from the social media noise.
Inflammaging is chronic, low-level inflammation that builds up in your body as you age. It's not the angry red kind you get from a cat scratch. It's the silent version, ticking away in the background, slowly degrading collagen, weakening the skin barrier, and contributing to dullness, sagging, fine lines and uneven tone.
The term was coined by Italian Professor emeritus at the University of Bologna, Claudio Franceschi, in 2000, and it's now widely accepted as one of the key drivers of how we age, inside and out. Diet, stress, poor sleep, UV damage, pollution and yes, blood sugar spikes, all feed into it.
Yes, and this part isn't a myth. When blood glucose stays elevated, sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins like collagen and elastin in a process called glycation. The resulting compounds are called Advanced Glycation End-products, charmingly abbreviated to AGEs.
AGEs make collagen stiff and brittle. They also trigger inflammation. So skin loses its bounce, looks duller, and recovers more slowly from anything you throw at it, from a late night to a laser facial.
That's the science. Now let's get to the myths.
It won't. A CGM is a data tool, not a treatment. It tells you how your body responds to specific foods, stress and exercise. It does not melt AGEs, rebuild collagen or unclog inflammatory pathways.
What it can do is help you spot patterns. If your "healthy" breakfast smoothie sends your glucose into orbit, that's useful intel. But the monitor itself does nothing. The behaviour change you make based on the data might be what matters.
Nope. Glycation happens to everyone. The higher and more frequent your glucose spikes, the more AGEs you accumulate over a lifetime. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit from steadier blood sugar. You just need skin and a pulse.
Also no. Fibre-rich carbs, wholegrains, legumes and most fruit actually help blunt glucose spikes. The villain isn't carbs. It's refined sugar, ultra-processed foods, and eating sweet things on an empty stomach. Order matters too: eating protein and veg before carbs slows the glucose response significantly.
Wrong. Plenty of clinically backed ingredients target the same inflammatory pathways from the outside. Look for:
Look out for formulations which contain active compounds that help combat inflammation and oxidative stress.
Some can, and some are particularly well suited to it. A few to know:
Aggressive resurfacing on already inflamed skin can backfire. This is exactly why working with a qualified, insured practitioner who actually assesses your skin matters.
Here's the unglamorous truth. The biggest wins are boring:
A CGM can be a useful piece of that puzzle if you want personalised data. It is not a magic wand.
The best results come from combining lifestyle changes with targeted clinical treatment. A good aesthetic practitioner won't just sell you a syringe. They'll look at your skin barrier, your habits, your medical history, and build a plan that calms inflammation rather than adding to it.
That's why qualifications matter. Look for medical professionals (doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists) with specific aesthetic training, full insurance, and a portfolio of real patient results.
Can inflammaging be reversed?
You can't turn the clock back entirely, but you can absolutely slow it and improve the visible signs. Reducing glycation, repairing the skin barrier and lowering systemic inflammation all make a measurable difference.
How quickly will I see changes if I lower my blood sugar?
Skin renewal takes around 28 days, so give it at least 8 to 12 weeks of consistent change before judging results. AGEs that have already formed take longer to clear.
Do I need a continuous glucose monitor to get the benefits?
No. Most people can improve their glucose response just by eating in the right order (veg, protein, then carbs), walking after meals, and limiting refined sugar. A CGM is helpful if you want personalised data, not essential.
Is inflammaging the same as oxidative stress?
They're linked but not identical. Oxidative stress is the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Inflammaging is the chronic inflammatory state that builds over time, partly fuelled by oxidative stress.
What's the single best skincare ingredient for inflammaging?
Daily broad-spectrum SPF. Boring, but nothing else comes close. After that, vitamin C in the morning and a retinoid at night.
The smartest anti-ageing strategy isn't a gadget. It's a plan built around your skin, your lifestyle and your goals, delivered by someone who actually knows what they're doing.
Find a qualified, insured, vetted aesthetic practitioner near you at glowday.com and book a consultation.
