Plenty of factors play a part in the skin’s ability to maintain its youthful, glowing appearance from hydration, skin care, stress and sleep, as well as genetics.
However, it is also possible to make subtle additions to your daily diet to promote collagen production while steering clear from the sugar-filled treats that wreak havoc on your visage.
Anti-ageing expert Dr Anthony Youn warned that a daily, unsuspecting refreshing beverage might be the culprit behind ageing skin.
Speaking to his millions of TikTok followers, he instructed: "Reduce the amount of sugar drinks that you drink. Sugar is the great ager of our skin through a process called glycation.
Sodas should be considered more of a 'rare treat'
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"The sugar can actually bond to the collagen in your skin, causing it to become damaged and, yes, older-looking."
As a result, the beverage should be considered as a "rare treat" rather than a daily occurrence, Dr Youn declared.
Beyond its negative impact on skin, sodas - even diet ones - can be detrimental to your health by exacerbating your risk of diabetes and weight gain.
"Changing habits is difficult," Dr Irina Todorov from the Cleveland Clinic said. "Instead of concentrating on what you can’t drink, try to put your efforts into what you can."
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However, there are a number of foods that aid and abet your journey towards a clearer, more youthful glow, such as healthy proteins, fermented foods and even dark chocolate.
Outlining the best foods to sprinkle into your diet, Dr Youn raved about healthy sources of protein. He said: "Now our skin is composed 70 to 80 per cent of collagen and we lose about one per cent of the thickness of collagen of our skin every year.
"Because collagen is a protein, you need to eat enough protein to keep your collagen levels up."
Some healthy proteins include chicken and salmon, as well as a broad array of nuts and seeds.
Foods like healthy proteins, fermented foods and even dark chocolate can be beneficial to attaining youthful skin
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The second food to include more often in your diet is fermented foods, such as miso, sauerkraut and kimchi.
"There is a direct connection between the health of your gut and the health of your skin. Eating probiotic rich foods which are fermented foods can help to support the microbiome in your gut and reduce inflammation of your skin," Dr Youn explained.
And, finally, it's not necessary to outlaw any semblance of sweet treat, of course. Dark chocolate, filled with polyphenols and antioxidants, supports glowing skin.
"The key is for the chocolate to be at least 70 to 80 per cent cacao. Anything less than that will likely contain too much sugar," he clarified.
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