Foods That Are Causing Acne

1. Milk

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Lots of scientific studies have found a link between milk and acne severity in teens. Young adults who regularly consume milk are actually four times as likely to have acne – and there are proposed theories for this. Some scientists think that milk increases insulin levels, which can worsen acne. Others believe that the amino acids in milk are the problem.

2. White bread

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

White bread isn’t all that good for you – and it can actually cause acne too. This is because white bread is a high-glycemic food, meaning it causes your body's blood sugar level to rise quickly. So if you’re eating a lot of white bread and dealing with breakouts, it might be time to cut this out of your diet.

3. Potato chips

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Potato chips might be the ultimate snack, but they can play havoc on your skin. As they contain a ton of carbs, they can often produce a high insulin spike. And when your insulin levels increase, this can lead to systemic inflammation, which causes those nasty breakouts. Try and limit how many chips you eat.

4. Doughnuts

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sugar really isn’t kind to your skin. So foods like doughnuts can cause a lot of acne problems, whether you’re a teen or in your thirties. Studies have shown that frequent consumption of foods high in sugar is associated with 54% higher odds of having acne, as they cause insulin levels to rise rapidly.

5. Fries

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

While there’s no proof that eating greasy foods like fries cause acne, there IS proof that salty and hyper-glycemic foods can increase acne breakouts. And unfortunately, fries fall into this category. So if you’re fighting to get clear skin, you might want to take a closer look at your consumption of fries and switch to foods high in Omega 3 instead.

6. White rice

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

You might not think that white rice is one of the biggest causes of acne, but as it contains high levels of sugar and carbohydrates, it can cause chaos for your skin. The sugar and carbs from white rice get into your blood really quickly, which means it’s high on the glycemic index. So if you want your rice fix, switch to brown rice instead.

7. Soda

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Soda is one of the biggest culprits for bad skin. As soda and other carbonated drinks contain a ridiculously high amount of sugar, it can make your acne a whole lot worse. As it increases your blood sugar, it also increases the risk of inflammation, which isn’t great if you’re on a quest for clear, healthy skin.

8. Chocolate

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

A few studies have shown that people who eat more chocolate are more likely to get spots, 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. So it’s thought that chocolate is bad for skin thanks to its sugar and milk content.

9. Hot dogs

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Hot dogs might be a bit of a guilty pleasure, but regular consumption of them isn’t a good idea. A combination of processed meat and white bread will cause chaos for your body and your skin, as there are tons of carbs and sugars involved. Ditch the fast food and try some healthier home-cooked meals like salmon and vegetables.

10. Cereal

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Do you often have a bowl of cereal for your breakfast? Well if you’re struggling with acne, you might want to rethink this. Cereal can cause a massive spike in blood sugar and a subsequent rise in insulin levels. This leads to a rise in hormones that can increase oil production and trigger those pesky breakouts.

11. White Pasta

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

We hate to break it to you, but white pasta isn’t great for your skin. While it might be one of the most popular foods around, white pasta can cause inflammation, which means it increases the likelihood of those dreaded acne breakouts. It can be helpful to switch to wholewheat pasta instead, which is better for your skin and lower in calories.

12. Maple syrup

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Sweet, sugary foods such as maple syrup are quickly absorbed by our bodies. This results in a huge increase in sugar levels, which your skin definitely won’t thank you for. If you’re still wanting that sugary hit on your pancakes and waffles, try switching to honey, agave nectar or corn syrup instead.

13. Ice cream

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Combine the high milk content with all that sugar, and you’re asking for skin trouble. If you’re regularly eating ice cream, your insulin levels will be pretty high, and your risk of inflammation will be increased too. As dairy products are linked to acne severity, you’ll need to tread carefully with that innocent cone of ice cream.

14. Burgers

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Unfortunately, acne is associated with “Western-style” diets that are rich in calories, fat, and refined carbohydrates. Fast food like burgers are some of the worst culprits of those acne breakouts, as they’re packed with everything from processed white bread to fatty meat. Try and cut down on the number of burgers you eat, or switch to a healthier veggie or vegan alternative.

15. Nuggets

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

As nuggets also fall into that unhealthy fast food category, you won’t be surprised to hear that they’re not too kind to your skin. As they contain high amounts of saturated fat, they can clog up your pores and worsen any acne or breakouts you might already be dealing with. Skip the take out and cook something yourself instead.

16. Sausages

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

As sausages are high in fat, they can play havoc with your skin. A scientific study in Turkish men found that frequently eating sausages was linked to a 24% increased risk of developing acne, regardless of age. While more research still needs to be carried out, it’s still a good idea to monitor your fatty meat consumption.

17. Whey protein powder

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

This one might surprise you. Whey protein powder might be a popular dietary supplement, but as it contains high amounts of amino acids, it might actually cause you to break out. Amino acids basically make skin cells grow and divide more quickly, and contain high levels of insulin. And insulin contributes to acne severity.

18. Pizza

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Yep – all the best foods really are bad for your skin. Pizza is notorious for causing acne and breakouts due to its high saturated fat content. White bread is also hyper-glycemic, which means it will cause your body’s blood sugar levels to rise quickly. So if you’re struggling with acne, it can be a really good idea to reduce the amount of pizza you eat.

19. Pastries

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

If you thought you could get away with having those sneaky pastries, we’ve got some bad news for you. Pastries, just like doughnuts, can cause those dreaded breakouts. Not only are pastries super high in calories and low in nutritional value, but they’re also been found to be positively correlated with acne.

20. Bananas

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

While most fruits will help you avoid acne flare-ups, bananas won’t. As bananas score pretty high on the hyper-glycemic index chart, they can actually make your acne a whole lot worse. While bananas still have plenty of health benefits, you might want to reduce the amount you eat and see if you notice a visible difference in your skin.

21. Soy milk

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

While soy milk is a popular way to get your protein intake, especially if you're a vegetarian, you might want to go easy on the amount you consume. A bit is okay, but look for added sugar and avoid having it too often. Try and swap to nut-based products like almond or cashew milk, which should help clear up your skin.

22. Dried fruit

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

While fruit is a great source of vitamins and nutrients, dried fruit is a source of concentrated sugar content. Known to promote oil production and inflammation, consuming too much dried fruit can result in high sugar levels, which contributes to acne. Switch to regular fruit or filling trail mix bars.

23. Candy

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

This one is a bit of a no-brainer. Just like soda and chocolate, candy contains a ridiculously high amount of sugar that your skin definitely won’t thank you for. In fact, some dermatologists say candy is the worst thing you can eat when it comes to acne. Cut down your intake asap so your skin gets a breather.

24. White noodles

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

White noodles have high amounts of refined grains in them, which is something you’ll want to avoid if you want fresh, clear skin. A study involving 64 participants with moderate to severe acne found that those with acne consumed a greater amount of refined grains, so it’s worth reducing your intake if you can.

25. Vegetable oil

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

A typical Western diet contains high levels of omega-6 fatty acids and lower levels of omega-3s. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in most vegetable oils, and a LOT of processed foods happen to be cooked in this. While you don’t need to eliminate your intake of Omega-6, you can opt for healthier alternatives like olive oil and coconut oil.

26. Non-organic meat

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Natural or synthetic steroid hormone drugs like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone are typically used to increase the growth rate of animals. This gets means they’re ready for human consumption much faster, and has been approved by the FDA. But these kinds of meats contain high amounts of insulin, which causes acne breakouts.

27. Caffeine

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Keen on your early morning coffee? Well, we’ve got bad news for you. Caffeine is another acne culprit, as it actually reduces your insulin sensitivity. This means your blood sugar levels stay high for a longer period than usual after you drink coffee, which means you’re more susceptible to inflammation and acne.

28. Some types of sushi

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

We know what you’re thinking. Sushi is supposed to be good for you, right? Well, mostly. While the fish is great, the white rice that sometimes comes with it definitely isn’t. California rolls have a LOT of white rice, and as it’s hyper-glycemic, it can trigger acne flare-ups and aggravate breakouts. Switch to sushi that doesn’t contain rice, as this will be a lot better for your skin.

29. Alcohol

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

While no direct link has been found between alcohol and acne, the various harmful health effects of alcohol may indirectly cause acne or make it worse. Alcohol's effects on your immune system, liver function, inflammation, and hormones may reduce skin health, which can contribute to acne flare-ups.

30. Cake mix

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Processed foods like cake mix contain high amounts of trans fats, and typically come from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. These kinds of fats aren’t great for your heart health, and they’re not kind to your skin either. They can cause blockages in the tiny blood vessels in the skin, which can trigger inflammation and make acne worse.