Acne is a common skin condition caused by dead cells and excess oil clogging up pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, pustules or pustules. According to research studies, certain foods such as dairy, chocolate and sugar may increase your chances of acne breakouts.
Studies on diet and acne are inconsistent (see eTable in Supplement). To maximize compliance, studies should involve keeping detailed records or conducting interviews that ensure strict adherence.
High Glycemic Index Foods
Although some researchers originally discredited the notion that diet had any bearing on acne, new studies demonstrate otherwise. One possible explanation may be that certain foods cause insulin levels to spike and alter hormones that regulate sebocyte (sebum-producing cells) production or androgen production and result in breakouts.
Foods with a high glycemic index such as white bread, chips and many processed snack foods and breakfast cereals have been linked with acne outbreaks. On the contrary, diets which focus mainly on low glycemic index foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables have shown to help manage acne breakouts.
For optimal skin health, try to follow a low-glycemic load diet of 50% proteins, 30% carbohydrates and 20% fats. Lean meats such as lean chicken breast or fish, beans and nuts provide plenty of protein while minimally-processed whole grains with fruit, vegetables or legumes are great sources of carbs – these should all be consumed instead of sugary treats such as cakes or candy!
Dairy Products
Dairy products appear to have mixed impacts on acne. While some studies show a correlation, others do not see one. Cow milk contains hormones which increase insulin levels and lead to an increase in sebum production as well as inflammation that clogs pores leading to acne breakouts.
Studies that utilize dietary diaries or telephone interviews to assess participants’ diets tend to be more accurate than studies that rely on participants recalling food intake days, weeks, or even years later. Studies that demonstrated an association between dairy and acne were more likely to find such links when these types of methodologies were employed.
Overall, these results indicate that a Western diet, consisting largely of sugary and fatty foods, is associated with an increase in acne prevalence among adult males. However, its effect may depend on gender or ethnicity; further evaluation should take place through randomized controlled trials.
Omega-6 Fats
Omega-6 fatty acids found in Western diets may contribute to acne by altering metabolic cues and increasing inflammation. These fatty acids, namely linoleic acid (LA) and alpha linolenic acid (ALA), can be found in foods like sunflower seeds, corn oil, safflower oil cottonseed oil soybean oil as well as some vegetable oils.
Fats found in foods can increase acroinfundibular sebaceous gland secretions and inhibit normal growth and differentiation of keratinocytes, leading to hyperproliferation of follicular cells that result in excessive oil production and blockage of pores.
Though diet remains controversial in its role in acne etiology, evidence indicates certain dietary factors such as high glycemic index foods, dairy products and omega-6 fatty acids could impact hormone levels and acnegenesis. Unfortunately, studies involving diet can be complex to design and execute due to difficulties collecting accurate self-reported data and adhering strictly to any interventional trials regarding diet.
Refined Carbohydrates and Sugars
Carbs are one of the body’s main energy sources, converted to glucose by our bodies for use as fuel by cells. Unfortunately, many individuals consume diets with an abundance of refined carbs and sugars that provide this source of fuel for cell fuelling.
Refined carbohydrates, or refined sugars and starches, do not occur naturally but have undergone industrial extraction, concentration, purification and enzymatic transformation to produce refined forms. Examples of refined sugars are white table sugar and high fructose corn syrup which are both found in numerous processed food items.
Studies indicate that diets high in sugar and dairy products may play a part in acne breakouts. Their inflammatory effects may trigger hormones that produce excess sebum production and result in breakouts. Unfortunately, research into this relationship remains inconclusive due to difficulties recording and reporting eating habits accurately and self-reporting being subject to significant recall bias; more rigorous investigations with externally validated records and strict adherence to controlled interventions are required in order to fully comprehend its influence on acne.