It’s no surprise that certain types of food are often associated with acne and various types of acne breakouts. People all over have been known to support the claims that limiting the intake of these foods can help reduce or even eliminate a person’s acne all together. Fortunately, food does not cause acne. This is a popular myth.
Acne and Stress
In the United States, people who become stressed out often seek out comfort in food. This is actually unhealthy for reasons other than acne. Foods like potato chips are considered to be “comfort foods.” This is where the myth of food causing acne arises.
Many people do not realize that stress is often the cause of their acne, rather than the food they’re eating while they’re stressed.
Foods that Cause Acne
Thanks to comfort foods, there is now a list of common comfort foods that are often associated with acne and acne breakouts.
- Pizza
- Chocolate
- Potato Chips
- Dairy Products (such as milk, yogurt, ice cream or cheese.)
- Refined Sugars (such as candy.)
- Refined Carbohydrates (such as white bread or pasta.)
Acne Caused by Caffeine Products
There is also a lot of speculation around caffeine and acne. Caffeine can be found in:
- Soda
- Energy Drinks
- Coffee (non-decaf)
- Teas (non-decaf)
Food Myths Surrounding Acne
The above listed foods are just a few examples of common “food-related” acne. There are many individuals who claim that just about any food causes acne. Some say that not only do caffeine products or comfort foods cause acne, but also that red meats, poultry, alcohol, processed foods, nuts, fats, tuna and various seafoods also causes acne.
Fortunately, this is not true. If it were, there would be nothing left for anyone to eat that did not result in breakout of acne.
Causes of Acne Breakouts
It should be noted that most acne cases are on a case-by-case basis. This means that every individual is different, and therefore may have a single specific reason (or multiple reasons) for their acne. This could be due to hereditary reasons (such as inheriting it from a parent or grandparent,) an allergy to certain medications, an allergy to certain skin products (such as soaps, facial cleansers, or lotions,) or something entirely different —such as stress.
How to Prevent Acne
People are constantly seeking out new ways to get rid of acne. For some individuals, an over-the-counter facial cleanser or other acne product is often enough in helping to prevent acne. Those with more stubborn acne should seek out a dermatologist who can help them determine their skin type, as well as teach them how to prevent acne, as well as determine what is causing their acne.
While it’s true that it is important to eat a healthy diet, the occasional slice of pizza will not cause acne. Eating healthier can aid in having a “healthy glow,” but it’s important to consult a dermatologist in order to determine the true cause of an individual’s acne.
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