You may have heard that eating greasy ,sugary and processed foods can cause an acne breakout. Though there are some links between diet and acne, there is no evidence that eating junk food can be the only cause of acne. However, a diet of highly processed and sugary food can make existing acne worse.
Many people with acne have oily skin, so for some time people thought that greasy foods were a major cause of acne and oily skin, However, a number of studies have shown that downing foods like French fries, cheeseburgers, and chocolate doesn’t have any impact at all on your skin's health. But getting that grease on your skin can make an oily complexion worse, clogging pores and leading to an acne breakout.
From the time you eat something to the time it actually shows up as acne takes about 5 -14 days. So its possible that something in your normal diet could be causing you to break out. Gluten,(mainly found in wheat and barley) dairy and sugar are the common culprits.
Milk consumption has been associated with an increased risk of acne.This may be due to lactose intolerance in certain individuals or could also be effects of consuming milk where animals have been fed hormones.These hormones can get into the bloodstream and induce acne, hence consuming organic milk might make a difference.Those who are dairy intolerant can reduce the amount of dairy and dairy products intake for a clearer skin.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains (oat, barley, rye,) that makes bread dough sticky. Because of its sticky nature, it's also added to cosmetics, foods such as ketchup,soy sauce, deli meats,toothpaste and shampoo. Some people are sensitive to gluten and experience symptoms like joint pains,diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and bloating after consuming a food with gluten.Gluten aggravates acne by creating cracks in the gut lining that allow toxins back into the system in gluten-sensitive people as they cannot properly digest gluten.These toxins enter the bloodstream, and the immune system recognizes them as invaders, activating an immune response that increases inflammation, which in turn can result in acne.
if you notice your acne getting worse after eating sugary and fatty foods, it isn’t necessarily a sign to stop eating certain foods, but it could be a warning sign to reduce your intake of sugar and saturated fats. Most fast food items are deep-fried in refined vegetable oils and loaded with trans-fats. The saturated fats found in these junk foods can make inflammation worse.They can also make sebum thicker and less fluid, and therefore more likely to clog pores and form acne.
A diet high in refined, processed foods creates perfect conditions for pimples. These high-GI foods raise blood sugar levels quickly and cause insulin levels to rise.This can indirectly cause pimples because of the metabolism changes in response to them and the overproduction of insulin after their consumption.Over time high insulin levels can make skin drier, thicker, and the flakes of dry skin can block pores. It can also increase levels of free androgens (male hormones) in males and females, making the skin's sebaceous glands produce more oil and cause acne.
Conclusion
Acne can be caused or made worse by genetics, hormones, stress and other factors.To establish the dietary part of it, its important to keep a food diary and observe how your skin responds to different foods. You do not need to have a strict limited diet , just adjust your diet accordingly to what best suits your skin.
Did You Know?
Employees of fast food eateries have an increased chance of developing acne.This is because of the increased grease and oil in the air, which can get onto your skin, block your hair follicles causing the follicle to swell and develop into a pimple/bump.
If you have a bad habit of touching your face while working, this also increases the chance of causing breakouts.