Did you grow up avoiding greasy foods like french fries, sugary snacks like chocolate because you feared they would cause acne? Over the years, research has constantly changed, and the topic of diet-related acne is still very unclear. While there is no clear answer of whether or not diet has a clear connection to breakouts, you should be conscious of what you consume and how it might affect your skin health. Read on to learn more.
WHAT CAUSES ACNE?
Acne is thought to be caused by a few key things.
- Overproduction of oil
- Clogged pores
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
When our skin overproduces oil it tends to collect bacteria and dirt, clogging our pores and leading to acne. Different hormonal changes, daily hygiene choices or skin conditions can cause one or more of the contributing factors of acne to arise. Make-up, medication, menstruation and stress are also known contributors to acne because of their likelihood to clog pores or cause inflammation. Finally, our dietary choices are thought to potentially have a correlation with acne because certain foods can cause inflammation and or hormonal changes that might lead to a breakout.
WHAT FOODS CAN TRIGGER ACNE?
Studies have shown that high-glycemic foods could be a contributor to acne. This includes foods like corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes, pastries and sugary drinks. High-glycemic foods are associated with acne because they cause a rapid spike in blood sugar that leads to inflammation in the body. These foods are also linked to increased sebum production causing excess oil on the skin.
Some studies have shown a rise in acne in relation to cow’s milk consumption, and others have shown a relationship to fast food and acne. While these correlations may be helpful to keep in mind, there is no real evidence to show a direct cause and effect relationship between diet and acne.
WHAT FOODS PROMOTE SKIN HEALTH?
While it may be difficult to know what foods to avoid, there are plenty of foods to consume that have known skin health benefits. When you’re shopping, you should consider foods like avocados, walnuts, dark chocolate, tomatoes, berries, broccoli and kale. Avocados are full of healthy fats and antioxidants to keep your skin bouncy and moisturized. Walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation. Dark chocolate is full of anti-aging antioxidants that can help protect your skin from sun damage. Berries can also help protect your skin from sun damage by providing essential vitamins and anti-inflammatory agents. And finally, broccoli and kale are cruciferous superfoods that are full of sulforaphane that neutralizes free radicals and can help regulate female hormones. You can learn more about foods to promote skin health if you check out our blog, Foods That Will Make Your Skin Glow.Â
WHAT TREATMENTS SHOULD I CONSIDER?
Acne cannot be treated by diet alone, but The Dermatology Center for Skin Health is here to help. If you are struggling with acne, you should visit our website to learn more about the options available to you. Each treatment is specially designed to target different levels of severity. Treatments can involve a mixture of topical treatments, medication or light therapy. Whether you have mild, moderate or severe acne the Dermatology Center for Skin Health has a treatment for you!
VISIT YOUR DERMATOLOGIST | THE DERMATOLOGY CENTER FOR SKIN HEALTH, PLLC
Diet alone cannot cure acne, but it might be a great way to reduce the appearance of breakouts. If you have any questions about acne or what treatments are available to you, give us a call at (304) 598-3888 or click here. We look forward to hearing from you!
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