Acne, most commonly called Acne Vulgaris or pimples or breakouts, is a skin problem that can cause several types of red, tender bumps with pus at their tips to form on the surface of the skin (like on the face, neck, and shoulder). It is one of the most common dermatological conditions, affecting millions of young adults worldwide.
Acne occurs when your sebaceous glands (the oil-secreting glands of your body) become over-activated. This causes plugging of hair follicles (tunnel-shaped structure on the outer layer of the skin from which the hair starts growing) with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells, leading to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and other forms of pimples on the body.
Acne is also caused by the rise in the male or ‘androgenic’ hormone (chemical messengers that carry out body functions), testosterone, and hence, it is also a hormonal condition.
Apart from excess sebum, hormones, and bacteria, consumption of certain “food enemies” are also responsible for acne. Sebum is a yellowish oily substance that is produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin.
Food and Adult Acne: What’s The Connection
Food that is technically ‘healthy’ for your body isn’t always good for acne-prone skin. If you have acne-prone skin, then you have frequent breakouts or you have pimples that never seem to go away.
Currently, there is no well-established relationship between your diet and adult acne. Although this is under research, studies show that your diet can have a significant impact on the development of acne.
While foods rich in vitamin A and D are essential for healthy skin and to prevent acne, there are a number of foods that should be avoided if you have acne-prone skin. Let’s take a closer look at 5 such food items.
5 Foods That Are a Big NO for Acne-prone Skin
1. Refined carbohydrates. Foods such as white bread, pasta, and rice are heavily processed, bleached, and stripped of their nutrients. Your body has to produce tons of insulin to consume tons of refined carbs. Insulin is a hormone made in your pancreas, that allows your body to use glucose for energy.
To digest processed carbs, your body will have to produce excess insulin, which can interfere with the functions of other hormones-including androgens. High levels of insulin significantly increase the activity of androgens, thus affecting your pores and resulting in increased acne. Additionally, if you are fighting acne and consuming refined carbs, then it can worsen your acne.
2. Dairy products. Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter) are one of the worst foods people with acne-prone skin can eat because they not only clog pores but also increase your hormone levels.
Dairy animals such as cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and camels, are treated with artificial hormones that affect their milk supply. This can cause hormonal imbalance in your body when you consume these products, thus, triggering acne formation.
Certain studies show that milk is known to increase insulin levels, independent of its effects, which may worsen the severity of your acne.
If you have acne-prone skin and yet love eating milk or dairy products, it is advisable to take note of any new breakouts you see after eating ice cream or dairy products regularly.
3. Granola bars. Bars and drinks that are high in whey protein can cause outbreaks. Whey protein is a rich source of protein and amino acids, derived from milk. Whey protein is most commonly consumed as a dietary supplement and is also found in protein/granola/yoga bars.
Few studies show that whey protein increases the production of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which causes a spike in sebum production, leading to clogged pores and acne.
4. Chocolate. Sweets and treats containing chocolate are usually high in glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) measures the quantity of specific foods that increase blood sugar levels and they are classified as low, medium, or high glycemic foods.
High glycemic foods are known to increase insulin production. This causes the androgens to become more active and leads to sebum production which clogs the pores, resulting in acne.
5. Greasy foods. Saturated fat, which is lurking in your favorite fried and greasy foods is one of the biggest culprits of inflammation, inducing your body to produce excess oil. Such excess oil may be a home for bacteria. Excess oil and bacteria can both lead to clogged pores, resulting in acne.
Saturated fat is a type of unhealthy, dietary fat that is solid at room temperature. Foods like butter, palm and coconut oils, cheese, and red meat have high amounts of saturated fat.
Each one of you is different, and some may find that they get more acne when they eat certain foods. Under your doctor’s supervision, it can be helpful to experiment with your diet to see what works best for you. Consult your dermatologist in case your acne flare-up increases with the intake of certain foods.
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.