The old adage holds true: You are what you eat. The things you eat play a major role in how you feel and how you look.

If you’re prone to skin issues, including acne, the culprit could be what you’re putting in your body. That’s why it’s worth it to take a look at your diet to determine if you’re constantly eating substances that have been believed to cause acne.

Foods That Can Cause Acne

Plenty of foods have been linked to an increased prevalence in acne. While every body is different in the way it breaks down substances, some materials can certainly cause blemishes over time. 

However, food isn’t the only factor at play with acne. Genetics, medications, and hormonal imbalances also play their roles. When it comes to food, hormones play the biggest role, and that’s primarily what we’ll look at. 

Can Junk Food Cause Acne

Junk food isn’t only bad for your skin; it’s bad for your organs and overall health, too. It may taste good, but it’s filled with substances that exacerbate pimples. 

As always, watch out for how much junk food you’re eating. If you’re overdoing it and constantly break out in zits, it may be time to hold off. 

Can Some Foods Cure Acne?

While some foods cause acne, others can help fight it. There are no cure-all remedies, but there are nutrients that help keep inflammation at bay. 

These include:

• Vitamins A, D, and E
• Zinc
• Turmeric
• Probiotics

Make sure you’re getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins (like fish) in your diet so that you’re getting the nutrients you need to fight off pimples. If you’re not, you may want to speak with your doctor about taking a supplement. 

7 Foods That Can Cause Acne

When it comes to acne, these are the foods you want to watch out for the most.

7. Grains and Sugars

With grains, you predominantly want to look out for refined grains. These are breads made from white flour and commonly include cereal, white bread, and rice noodles.

They have a high glycemic index and raise your body’s blood sugar levels. This causes insulin to become more active, leading to greater sebum production on your skin, which increases your risk of acne. 

Naturally, sugar is the same. It raises your blood sugar levels, resulting in a hormonal imbalance, increasing your risk of acne. 

6. Omega-6 Foods

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in soybean oil and cornflakes. Those fats are inflammatory in nature. If you’re already more prone to acne breakouts, then these can make you more vulnerable. 

5. Fast Foods

Fast food has everything you don’t want for healthy, clear skin. It’s high in sugar and grease, which can increase your risk of pimples breaking out.  

4. Dairy Products

The relation between milk and acne isn’t fully clear yet. However, studies have been done that found consumption of skimmed milk and low-fat milk led to greater instances of acne. 

3. Whey Protein Powder

Whey protein powder is commonly consumed by bodybuilders and athletes. It contains proteins and amino acids, such as glutamine and leucine. 

As a result, it can raise your insulin levels, and as mentioned previously, this will make you more susceptible to a breakout. 

2. Foods You’re Sensitive To

Most everyone has certain foods that don’t agree with them. Constantly consuming them leads to inflammation around the body, and that can lead to redness on the skin.

If you haven’t done so already, take a test from a professional to determine what foods you’re sensitive or allergic to.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate tends to be high in sugar and dairy. While there’s no scientific link between chocolate and acne, it would be best to consume it, especially milk chocolate, in moderation. 

Final Thoughts 

Just because certain foods increase the risk of acne doesn’t mean you have to swear them off forever. You can still indulge in your favorite snacks from time to time. 

But it’s critical to be aware of how your skin looks after the fact. If you notice pimples popping up after eating something, then it may be good to be wary of consuming that product in large quantities moving forward. 

References:

“Can the Right Diet Get Rid of Acne?” https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/causes/diet

Juhl CR, Bergholdt HKM, Miller IM, Jemec GBE, Kanters JK, Ellervik C. Dairy Intake and Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 78,529 Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Nutrients. 2018 Aug 9;10(8):1049. doi: 10.3390/nu10081049. PMID: 30096883; PMCID: PMC6115795.

Pappas A. The relationship of diet and acne: A review. Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 Sep;1(5):262-7. doi: 10.4161/derm.1.5.10192. PMID: 20808513; PMCID: PMC2836431.