News Health News 10 Years of Studies Link Acne Breakouts to Diet By Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT, has studied nutrition for almost two decades. She was named an emerging leader in women's health by the National Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Learn about our editorial process Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC Fact checked by Fact checked by Ashley Hall on February 11, 2021 linkedin Ashley Hall is a writer and fact checker who has been published in multiple medical journals in the field of surgery. Learn about our editorial process Ashley Hall February 11, 2021 Share Tweet Email Print Boy_Anupong/Getty Key Takeaways A new review of studies aims to prove diet can play a role in acne development. While the data is still evolving, avoiding chocolate, soda, and dairy might be protective against acne. A review of 10 years of studies and clinical trials shows that what you eat might play a role in whether or not you develop acne. The review, which was published in the International Journal of Dermatology in February 2021, aims to put an end to the question of whether acne and diet are related. “Data like this certainly helps further support the evidence that diet somehow plays a role in treatment of acne patients,” Claire O’Bryan, APRN, a nurse practitioner and co-founder of The Skin Clique, tells Verywell. Since acne can be a source of stress and anxiety for people who have it, O'Bryan, who was not involved with the study, says that being able to combine evidence-based dietary advice with traditional topical treatments will help clinicians treat acne patients holistically. What Is Acne? A Decade Worth of Studies The researchers performed a systematic review of 11 interventional clinical trials and 42 observational studies that were published over 10 years. The results showed that there were several dietary factors associated with acne: High glycemic index diet High glycemic load diet Certain dairy foods Fast food Chocolate Low intake of raw vegetables However, there were also several dietary patterns that appeared to have a more protective role against acne, including: Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables (more than 3 days per week) Fish included in the diet Although the data was not as strong, the researchers did find evidence suggesting that eating eggs more than three days per week, drinking large amounts of soft drinks, and eating salty food could also be acne-promoting dietary factors. Does Milk Cause Acne? Can Diet Help Manage Acne? The role of diet in acne development and presentation is still not completely clear. While many studies suggest that dairy foods are linked to increased acne prevalence, a 2019 study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that consumption of certain dairy foods—specifically yogurts and cheeses—had no effect on acne occurrence. Does Fried Food Cause Acne Breakouts? Among the recommendations in the medical literature regarding diet and acne, the strongest evidence supports limiting refined sugars and high glycemic foods as much as possible. What Is a High Glycemic Diet? A high glycemic diet is a way of eating that is based on how certain foods affect blood sugar levels. High glycemic foods increase blood sugars quickly and trigger excess insulin. Foods that are considered to be “high glycemic” foods include white bread, sugary desserts, and certain fruits, like watermelon. Refined carbohydrates, sodas, and ultra-processed foods such as cookies and cake can increase blood sugar levels quickly and trigger a hormonal response—both of which might be related to getting acne. In fact, data published in 2012 suggested that when people with acne ate a low-glycemic load diet for 10 weeks, they had significantly less acne when compared to people who ate their normal diet. Possible Dietary Recommendations For Acne Limit refined sugars (table sugar, agave syrup, cane sugar, corn syrup) Choose low glycemic foods (whole grains, vegetables, berries, nuts, seeds, and fruits with skin such as pears and apples) Avoid chocolate Opt for yogurt and cheese if you eat dairy Include fish in your diet Avoid sugary soft drinks What Else Causes Acne? Acne is the eighth most common skin disease in the world. Acne often has a negative effect on the social lives, self-esteem, and body images of people who have it. “The thing that makes acne so hard to tackle is that our skin is one of the only organs that reacts both to external and internal stimuli," Meg Hagar, MS, RD, CDN, CLT, CHHP, Licensed Aesthetician and Acne Nutritionist, tells Verywell. “As far as why acne happens, we have to look both at the potential external stimuli and internal stimuli.” Coping With Acne While dietary factors appear to play a role in acne appearance, they are not the only factors. Family history, age, skin type, hormones, and cannabis smoking habits may also play a role, according to a systematic review published in Scientific Reports in 2020. A few studies in the review found that lack of sleep or insomnia, sun exposure, high mental stress, and using cosmetics might also be associated with increased acne. No Silver Bullet Acne Treatment There is no single treatment to target acne that works for everyone. While your diet might be one factor, there are still grey areas in dietary recommendations for people who experience acne. Research published in 2014 suggests that probiotics could be promising for combatting acne. More specifically, consuming fermented foods (a natural source of probiotics) may offer some benefit. Acne Treatment Options If changing your diet does not help, there are still other ways to treat acne. A doctor-recommended topical treatment may also be beneficial. What This Means For You Acne is a common condition, but the cause can vary from person to person. This makes it difficult to pinpoint the best treatment for an individual. The role of diet in acne presentation is still being researched, but if you have the condition, it might be worth trying to make certain changes to your diet to see if it helps reduce your acne. Limiting sugar, choosing low-glycemic foods, and cutting back on dairy are just a few examples of dietary recommendations that might be beneficial if you have acne. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dall'Oglio F, Nasca MR, Fiorentini F, Micali G. Diet and acne: review of the evidence from 2009 to 2020. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Jan 18. doi:10.1111/ijd.15390 Aghasi M, Golzarand M, Shab-Bidar S, Aminianfar A, Omidian M, Taheri F. Dairy intake and acne development: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Clin Nutr. 2019 Jun;38(3):1067-1075. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.04.015 Mahmood SN, Bowe WP. Diet and acne update: carbohydrates emerge as the main culprit. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014 Apr;13(4):428-35. Kwon HH, Yoon JY, Hong JS, Jung JY, Park MS, Suh DH. Clinical and histological effect of a low glycaemic load diet in treatment of acne vulgaris in Korean patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012 May;92(3):241-6. doi:10.2340/00015555-1346 Heng AHS, Chew FT. Systematic review of the epidemiology of acne vulgaris. Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 1;10(1):5754. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-62715-3 Baquerizo Nole KL, Yim E, Keri JE. Probiotics and prebiotics in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Oct;71(4):814-21. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.04.050.