Can Food Affect Your Skin?
Though food alone likely neither causes nor prevents acne, certain types of food may make breakouts worse in acne prone skin.
Excess sebum (oil), hormones, too much bacteria, and overactive cells in your hair follicles are the major causes of acne.
figure 1
How does your diet affect the risk of acne?
High glycemic foods raise your blood sugar quickly. Examples include:
-
white bread
-
corn
-
sugary drinks
-
sweets
When your blood sugar spikes, it causes inflammation throughout your body, signaling it to make more sebum, an oily substance in your skin.
Both inflammation and excess sebum can lead to acne.
For more info - https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/causes/diet
figure 2
Symptoms
Food choices can have an affect on hormone levels and how much sebum (oil) the skin produces.
Individuals can also have food sensitivities that may worsen acne.
figure 3
Did You Know
2,258 US-based patients were placed on a low-glycemic diet so they could lose weight.
This diet also reduced their acne, with 87% of patients saying they had less acne, and 91% saying they needed less acne medication.
figure 4
Hear Dr. Chesahna Kindred of the Kindred Hair and Skin Center share more on how address acne and your diet.
Care Instructions
Treatment
-
Following a low-glycemic diet with foods such as fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, beans, and whole grains may reduce acne because this diet eliminates spikes in your blood sugar.
-
Additionally, using skin care products determined to prevent and treat acne along with acne medication will help to prevent new breakouts.