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Whether you experience frequent breakouts or the occasional zit, no one is alone in fighting acne. There are many causes to this common skincare ailment – and just as many myths. Like that idea that chocolate causes acne? Not true – it’s actually the sugar in the candy bars that can cause harm.
Acne is caused by clogged pores and inflammation, so keeping your skin properly cleansed and exfoliated can help prevent flare-ups. But it isn’t always that simple. It isn’t just sugar and sweets that can give you a pimple. There are many healthy foods we eat that can inadvertently cause a breakout, no matter how careful you are with your skincare routine.
We spoke to Dr. Yoram Harth, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of MDacne to find out how diet might be causing acne flare-ups. Here’s what he said…
1. Dairy Products
Dr. Harth told SheFinds, "Milk, cheese, and other dairy products can lead to the overproduction of male hormones called androgens. These hormones play a significant role in acne development. Removing dairy from your diet may reduce the number of new pimples that develop and lessen symptoms such as inflammation, redness, and breakouts."
And it's the milk products that seem "healthier" that you really want to avoid!
"One of the most triggering forms of dairy is cow's milk, especially 'low fat' milk, which contains many progesterone-like hormones and higher sugar content," Dr. Harth added. "A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that individuals with acne consumed significantly more low-fat or skim milk than those who didn't.
2. Processed Foods
Dr. Harth also advises to keep away from processed foods, such as boxed cereal, sweetened baked goods, candy, fried foods, white bread and chips, because they can spike blood sugar and insulin levels.
"These choices cause our glucose levels to rise quickly, triggering an increase in growth hormones," Dr. Harth explained. "This leads to enlargement of the sebaceous oil glands, more sebum production, and ultimately, more acne breakouts. Therefore, high-glycemic foods should be limited or entirely removed from the diet in people with acne-prone skin."
3. Foods With A High Glycemic Index
And it isn't just processed foods that come pre-made that you need to avoid. Dr. Harth explained that anything with a high glycemic index will have the same effect, increasing our skin's sebum production and causing acne breakouts.
Some foods you should avoid include: white bread, sugary granola, sweetened oatmeal packs, melons, pineapples, apricots, dried fruit, white potatoes, white rice and white pasta.
4. Brewer's Yeast
And finally, Dr. Harth advises staying away from bread products made with a particular type of yeast.
He said, "Brewer's yeast is an ingredient used in most bakery products such as bread, pizza dough, and cake to help the food rise. Avoiding products with brewer's yeast can help promote the healing of skin lesions. You may also find brewer's yeast in beer, vinegar, soy sauce, tempeh, and some pickled foods.
