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Updated by Umbrella Health Care Systems on Oct 22, 2023
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Best and Worst Foods for Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged. Sebum—oil that helps keep skin from drying out—and dead skin cells plug the pores, which leads to outbreaks of lesions, commonly called pimples or zits. Most often, the outbreaks occur on the face but can also appear on the back, chest, and shoulders.

Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin, which has sebaceous (oil) glands that connects to the hair follicle, which contains a fine hair. In healthy skin, the sebaceous glands make sebum that empties onto the skin surface through the pore, which is an opening in the follicle. Keratinocytes, a type of skin cell, line the follicle. Normally as the body sheds skin cells, the keratinocytes rise to the surface of the skin. When someone has acne, the hair, sebum, and keratinocytes stick together inside the pore. This prevents the keratinocytes from shedding and keeps the sebum from reaching the surface of the skin. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles and cause inflammation—swelling, redness, heat, and pain. When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills the bacteria, skin cells, and sebum into nearby skin, creating lesions or pimples.

For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties, but some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.
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Food and Acne

Food and Acne

Food alone doesn’t cause acne -- or prevent it. Your genes, lifestyle, and what you eat all play a role in the condition. But some foods may make it worse, while others help your skin stay healthy. Scientists need to do more research to know how specific foods really affect the condition. But they have looked at a few possible triggers so far.

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2

Milk

Milk

The more milk you drink, the more likely you are to have acne -- especially if it’s skim milk. Scientists are still trying to figure out why, but it could be the hormones that cows make when they are pregnant, which wind up in their milk. People who have higher levels of those hormones in their blood tend to have more acne.
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3

Sugar and Some Carbs

Sugar and Some Carbs

You’re more likely to have acne if your diet is full of foods and drinks like soda, white bread, white rice, and cake. The sugar and carbohydrates in these foods tend to get into your blood really quickly. That means they are high on the glycemic index, a measure of how foods affect blood sugar. When your body makes more insulin to bring down blood sugar, it affects other hormones that can boost oil production in your skin.
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4

Chocolate

Chocolate

A few small studies show that people who eat more chocolate are more likely to get pimples. But it’s not clear why. The key ingredient, cocoa, doesn’t seem to be the reason. In one study, people who ate chocolate with 10 times more cocoa were no more likely to get pimples than those who ate the regular kind. Dark chocolate, with less sugar and milk, may be a better choice if you’re trying to control your acne.

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5

High-Fiber Foods

High-Fiber Foods

People who eat a lot of fiber may see their acne improve. But doctors don’t know the exact reason. They do know that high-fiber diets can help control blood sugar, which is better for keeping acne away. Oatmeal, beans, apples, and carrots are easy ways to add a bit of fiber to your diet.
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6

Salmon

Salmon

This fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids. They lower inflammation in your body, and that may help keep acne away. They also help lower the amount of a protein your body makes, called IGF-1, that is linked to acne.
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7

Nuts

Nuts

People with acne often have low levels of antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium, which almonds, peanuts, and Brazil nuts have a lot of. These nutrients protect cells from damage and infections. There’s no clear proof that antioxidants will clear up acne, but they are good for your body in other ways. So there’s no harm in adding them to your diet. Just don’t overdo it: about 24 almonds or three or four Brazil nuts is all you need.
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8

Oysters

Oysters

They’ve got lots of zinc, a nutrient that’s important for your skin. Among other things, it may help kill bacteria that cause certain kinds of acne. It also appears to help the body stop making chemicals that can cause inflammation -- something else that’s linked to acne. Too much zinc can cause health problems, though. Adults shouldn’t get more than 40 milligrams a day.
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Seaweed

Seaweed

Whether you eat it in a sushi roll, in a salad, or on its own as a salty snack, it’s a great source of iodine, which
your thyroid gland needs to work properly. But too much iodine at once can make you break out. Most adults need 150 micrograms a day, though pregnant and breastfeeding women need more. If you eat a balanced diet, it’s hard to get too much. Along with seaweed, you can get iodine from foods like fish, dairy products, and iodized salt.
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What About Oily Food?

What About Oily Food?

It’s a common myth, but eating greasy foods won’t cause acne or make it worse. If you spend a lot of time cooking it, though, you may notice more trouble with your skin. That’s because the oil from a deep fryer or other source can stick to and clog your hair follicles.

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When to See a Doctor

When to See a Doctor

It’s often easy to manage your acne at home, but some cases are more serious. If you don’t see a difference with careful skin care, changes in diet, and over-the-counter treatments, you should talk with your doctor. They may refer you to a dermatologist. Early treatment can help your confidence and prevent scarring.
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