Experiencing a little acne? It can be scary to see those pimples pop up when you’re not used to acne as an adult. The nice thing is that there are probably a few changeable things in your lifestyle that are causing those blemishes. Stress and anxiety are big contributing factors, but your diet is another spot to explore. We’re going to look at the connection between diet and acne today, answering the question “what foods cause acne?”
You might just find that you don’t have to go get a pantry of creams and oils to treat your skin. A shift in diet might be all that’s needed. Let’s get started.
What Foods Can Cause Acne?
It turns out that diets high in sugar and dairy can lead to an increase in acne as an adult. This happens for a number of reasons. Sugar leads to a spike in insulin which contributes to acne in two primary ways. First, insulin leads to an increase in the production of cells. As these cells die, they might be too numerous to get removed naturally.
That irregularity leads to inflammation in the affected area, which can cause acne when it occurs anywhere on the body. Further, insulin tied to the production of sebum.
Sebum is the oily stuff that coats our skin when we start to break out. We need sebum to moisturize our hair and skin, but it can clog pores and spark inflammation when it’s too prominent. Acne is an inflammatory response to dirt and debris in our pours, so more sebum means more acne.
Dairy and Acne
Dairy products, namely milk, come equipped with a number of natural hormones and ingredients that play on our bodies’ hormone production. When our hormone production is thrown out of balance, that irregularity shows up as inflammation, disease, and general disorder within the body. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t drink milk, though.
Milk in healthy amounts is fine, but too much dairy could be the cause of your acne. If you find that milk almost always makes you break out, you should consider substituting dairy for almond milk or other alternatives.
Foods That Improve Acne
The first thing to do is reduce the number of processed sugars and trans fats you’re consuming. Fast food restaurants, sodas, and candies are all primary sources of these acne-causing ingredients.
You can also try to reduce the amount of dairy you’re consuming or switch to non-dairy alternatives. Beyond that, a diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and complete proteins will help a good deal.
It can be tough to get all of the nutrients you need, though. If you’re struggling, consider supplements. There’s a lot to be gained from supplements, so if you’re new to the world of dietary aids you should check it out!
If stress is a contributing factor to your anxiety, you might find that a shift in diet benefits that issue as well.
Need More Tips on Acne Remedies?
Understanding what foods cause acne is a big step in finding relief. We’re here to help you understand more about what causes acne, how to improve your health, and a whole lot more. Explore our site for more ideas on how to increase your wellness.
Also read: 6 Simple Tips to Remove Pimples Effectively
