FACT CHECK: Can consuming sugar lead to dark circles?

CLAIM:

Consuming sugar can cause dark circles under the eyes by triggering a process called glycation, which breaks down collagen, thins the skin, and makes it more prone to pigmentation. The reel further suggests that sugar is the one dietary item people should eliminate.

FACT:

Current scientific evidence does not support the claim that consuming sugar directly causes dark circles under the eyes. While excessive sugar intake can contribute to skin ageing through glycation, which affects collagen and elastin, there is limited evidence that this process alone causes dark circles. Experts say dark circles are usually caused by multiple factors, including genetics, ageing, allergies, lack of sleep and thinning of the skin, and recommend limiting added sugars rather than eliminating sugar altogether.

In a recent Instagram reel posted by Mukul Deora, a filmmaker, entrepreneur and investor who has around 48.3K followers on Instagram, a conversation about sugar and skin health has been widely shared online.  

The reel, which has garnered around 2.47 lakh views, features dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad, who discusses whether consuming sugar can lead to dark circles under the eyes. 

She says consuming sugar leads to a process called glycation, which results in the breakdown of collagen. According to her, this makes the skin thinner and "more prone to pigmentation." She further adds, "If you have to eliminate one thing, that has to be sugar." 

What does research say?

Current scientific evidence does not support the claim that eating sugar directly causes dark circles under the eyes. However, research does show that excessive sugar intake can contribute to skin ageing through a biological process called glycation, which affects collagen and elastin. At the same time, the available evidence does not establish a direct link between dietary sugar and periorbital dark circles. 

A 2010 review published in Clinics in Dermatology explains that glucose and fructose can bind to collagen and elastin fibres, forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). According to the authors, "the effect of sugars on aging skin is governed by the simple act of covalently cross-linking two collagen fibers, which renders both of them incapable of easy repair." The review notes that this process is accelerated when blood sugar levels are elevated and by ultraviolet (UV) exposure. However, it also cautions that evidence on dietary manipulation and skin outcomes is still evolving and does not specifically link sugar intake to dark circles. 

Subsequent research has reinforced the role of glycation in skin ageing. A 2015 review notes that AGEs, first identified in the context of diabetes, have since been associated with several age-related changes in the skin. The authors write that "characteristic findings of aging skin, including decreased resistance to mechanical stress, impaired wound healing, and distorted dermal vasculature, can be in part attributable to glycation." The review further explains that AGEs are formed both endogenously, through the consumption of dietary sugars, and exogenously, through cooking methods such as grilling, frying and roasting, which produce AGE-rich foods. Importantly, the review discusses glycation as a contributor to skin ageing, rather than as a direct cause of dark circles. 

More recently, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis analysing 61 studies examined the impact of various dietary components on skin ageing. The review found that nutrients such as collagen, lipids and fatty acids, polyphenols and probiotics were associated with improvements in wrinkles, hydration, elasticity and skin barrier function. It also reported that collagen supplementation modestly reduced pigment spots. However, the review did not identify dietary sugar as a direct cause of dark circles or pigmentation. Instead, it concluded that "dietary components target specific skin ageing phenotypes" while highlighting that important evidence gaps remain and further research is needed. 

Do experts agree?

Dr Shireen Furtado, Senior Consultant – Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said there is no strong scientific evidence that eating sugar directly causes dark circles under the eyes. According to her, dark circles are usually caused by multiple factors, including genetics, ageing, lack of sleep, allergies, dehydration, stress, sun exposure and naturally thin skin around the eyes. 

"While a diet high in added sugar may affect overall skin health over time, it cannot be considered a direct cause of dark circles," she said, adding that poor nutrition may indirectly affect skin quality, but "sugar alone is not responsible." 

Explaining the role of sugar in skin ageing, Dr Furtado said excess sugar can contribute to glycation, a process in which sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin, forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). "These compounds can make collagen fibres stiffer and less flexible, reducing the skin's strength and elasticity over time," she said. However, she noted that glycation is also influenced by factors such as ageing, smoking and overall lifestyle. 

On whether glycation causes dark circles, Dr Furtado said that although glycation may damage collagen and make the thin skin around the eyes appear darker with age, there is limited direct scientific evidence that sugar-induced glycation alone causes dark circles. "While glycation may indirectly affect skin quality, it should not be considered the primary reason for dark circles," she said. 

Addressing the claim that sugar should be eliminated, Dr Furtado said there is no need to completely avoid sugar. Instead, she recommended limiting added sugars, while continuing to consume natural sugars found in fruits, vegetables and dairy as part of a balanced diet. She added that “good sleep, hydration, sun protection and avoiding smoking are equally important for maintaining healthy skin.” 

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS