The good news is diet can also help you prevent these breakouts from happening in the first place.
What you eat and drink can have a direct impact on your complexion.
While certain foods may be obvious acne triggers (sugar, fast foods, etc.
Stocksy
), others may surprise you.
In fact, some food items can present nutritional benefits while still being the root cause of acne.
Meet the Experts
Dairy Products
Most dairy products are known acne triggers.
Cheese, milk and heavy cream may cause breakouts sometimes referred to as “dairy face.
““Dairy is a big one,” says nutritionist, Melissa Pfeister.
“Dairy stimulates hormone production causing acne.”
What to eat instead:Probiotics.
“Probiotics play an important role in a healthy diet.
Skim Milk
A key in of dairy product, skim milk is particularly prone to causing breakouts.
“Skim milk can make acne worse,” says Dr. Buka.
“It contains bovine growth hormones that are fat-dissolvable.
Since there’s no fat in skim milk, they don’t dissolve.
Those hormones, left in the body, can result in acne.”
What to eat instead:Milk alternatives.
Dermatologist, Jennifer MacGregor, MD, recommends “a little almond or oat milk” over skim milk.
What to eat instead:Whole foods.
The body digests and converts unprocessed food much more efficiently than processed foods.
Dr. MacGregor recommends eating fish, meat, eggs, root, and green vegetables.
Here are some options to explore, according to Shapiro.
What to drink instead:Green tea.
While still caffeinated, it’s lower in caffeine than coffee.
Byrdie Tip
Many coffee beverages also contain sugar, which can lead to breakouts.
Creamer, milk and syrup can all contribute to a higher intake of sugar.
Consider opting for other milk alternatives or making your own coffee at home.
What to eat instead:Omega 3s.
“Omega 3s decrease inflammation in the body and also help with skin inflammation,” adds Shapiro.
Some amazing sources include wild salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and krill oil.”
sugar intake, which has been linked to acne.
What to eat instead:Whole fruit, trail mix.
“Instead of energy bars, eat trail mix,” Shapiro recommends.
“Energy bars are often glorified candy bars filled with sugar and fillers to help them taste good.
Stick to low-glycemic foods like grapefruit, prunes, and hummus for a midday pick-me-up.
It will also avoid a potential sugar crash afterwards.
“Sugar combined with alcohol causes severe dehydration to the skin.”
While mocktails may curb alcohol intake, they still contain sugar.
What to drink instead:Water.
“Drinking water flushes out bacteria and toxins,” says Pfeister.
They can decrease estrogen levels and cause our glands to produce excess sebum.
What to eat instead:Nut-based products.
A quick swap from soy milk toalmondor cashew milk can help achieve clear skin.
Nut-based swaps are available for most soy-based favorites, including dips and spreads.
Studies show it also causes acne.
“Trans Fat is another culprit that can cause breakouts,” says Pfeister.
That inflammation then leads to breakouts.”
What to eat instead:Leafy greens.
“There are many amazing foods that can help keep your skin break-out free,” says Pfiester.
What to eat instead:Dark chocolate.
“There is no link betweenacne and chocolate,” says Dr. Buka says.
“It was totally disproven in a small blind trial in 2008 and again in later trials.”
Dark chocolate is especially good for you, including being a powerful source of antioxidants.
Pizza
While this doughy-dairy combo is indeed delicious, it releases glucose quickly.
This can result in a spike in sugar, causing inflammation and ultimately contributing to acne flare-ups.
What to eat instead:Homemade popcorn.
To satisfy yoursalty cravings, try air-popped popcorn instead of sodium-rich pizza or potato chips.
“Popcorn is made from corn, a whole food containing fiber and b-vitamins.
Cutting out some of the items listed above is a good way to see if you notice fewer breakouts.
We recommend consulting a doctor before making for any drastic changes to your diet.
Caffeine and alcohol can also increase acne flare-ups and inflammation.
“Acne, Dairy and Cancer.”
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
“Acne: Prevalence and Relationship With Dietary Habits in Eskisehir, Turkey.“2011.
Acne related to dietary supplements.Dermatology Online Journal, 26(8).
http://dx.doi.org/10.5070/D3268049797 Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9rp7t2p2
