Glycosaminoglycans (GAGS)

Beauty of Skin

Skin, your largest organ that covers the entirety of your body. It is the protector of your being and the outer shell of who you are. One of the most notable features on the human body, the skin should be cared for with the correct nutrients. Although your skin does not define who you are, it does provide protection (1). Therefore, nurturing it with the correct products is essential to ensuring healthy, glowing skin.

The Science Behind the Beauty

Collagen and elastin are important proteins in your skin that keep it wrinkle free and strong (2). Preserving these proteins can help keep a person looking youthful. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), support and maintain collagen and elastin proteins (3). Although the word seems intimidating, the functions of GAGs, and how they benefit collagen and elastin, are far more simple. 

GAGs for Gorgeous Skin 

Glycosaminoglycans are negatively charged polysaccharide compounds, which are associated with the promotion of wound repair, proliferation, and the regulation of cell growth (4). GAGs are water-bound molecules that can hold 1,000 times their own weight. Also known as the body’s natural moisturizer, GAGs help to absorb water into the skin, to maintain the hydration of collagen and elastin. This can help reduce collagen breakdown (5), resulting in longer-lasting, youthful-looking skin. Although GAGs are most known for their skin benefits, they also help to protect cartilage in joints and reduce inflammation in the body. This can reduce arthritis pain, going to show that GAGs not only provide a glow, but also deliver other benefits. 

1. The Healthline Editorial Team. “Epidermis Function: How Skin Protects You and How You Can Protect It.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 19 Dec. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health/epidermis-function. 
2. Paris, Ici. “The Benefits of Collagen + Elastin.” Ici Paris Skin Clinic + Spa, Ici Paris Skin Clinic + Spa, 12 May 2021, https://www.iciparis.ca/blog/the-benefits-of-collagen-elastin#:~:text=Collagen%20and%20elastin%20are%20the,naturally%20produced%20within%20the%20body. 
3. Casale, Jarett, and Jonathan S. Crane. “Biochemistry, Glycosaminoglycans – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” National Library of Medicine , National Center for Biotechnology Information, 27 Mar. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544295/. 
4. Zhang, Fuming, and Robert J. Linhardt. “Glycosaminoglycan.” Glycosaminoglycan – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, Science Direct, 2010, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/glycosaminoglycan. 
5. Curtis, Lindsay. “The Health Benefits of Glycosaminoglycans.” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2021, https://www.verywellhealth.com/glycosaminoglycans-5092414#:~:text=Glucosamine%E2%80%94a%20natural%20amino%20sugar,cartilage%20inside%20joints%20as%20well