While it is impossible to pinpoint one sole reason for acne breakout, what you eat can contribute greatly to it. Here are 5 foods that can make acne appear on your face and annoy you every time you look in the mirror:
1. Sugar
So sweet and yet so bad for you. As much as most of us love sugar, perhaps it is time to give it up.
According to Dr. Frank Lipman of the 11-11 Wellness Center in NYC, sugar can cause acne due to its pro-inflammatory properties (acne are an inflammatory condition).
Instead of raw sugar, Lipman recommends using honey or maple syrup and instead of candy – fruits.
2. Coffee (Including Decaf)
If your morning ritual involves a big mug of coffee, you might end up staring at acne the next time you look in the mirror.
Apparently, coffee contains an organic acid that elevates levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. This can stimulate sebaceous glands and cause skin inflammation.
Unfortunately, if you think that the caffeine is the main culprit here and drinking decaf will help, you’re wrong. The only way to avoid breakouts is by switching to tea.
3. Milk and Dairy Products
It looks like the theory about milk aiding our complexion has just gone down the drain. The newest research conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology apparently found a link between milk and acne.
However, it’s good to point out that cows themselves are not to be blamed, but the hormones that they are fed.
So, if you can’t find organic, no-hormone milk, there are always substitutes like almond, coconut or rice milk.
4. Peanuts
If you consume large amounts of peanut butter or other peanut-based products, you might want to switch to other nuts like cashews.
Peanuts can make your acne worse as it contains androgen. This can increase the production of sebum in your skin and make it oilier than you would prefer it to be.
5. Wheat
Wheat and anything made from it (like croissants, bagels, baguettes or biscuits) is another thing that we eat regularly that can cause skin problems (read: inflammation).
To make matters even worse for those prone to acne, many types of bread also contain not only wheat, but sugar and dairy, which can also contribute to breakouts and inflammation.
