What You Eat Could Affect Your Acne, Study of 200,000+ People Finds

You Are What You Eat: We know hormonal changes can affect our skin, and there’s a longstanding belief that certain foods, like sugar and dairy, can trigger breakouts. A new study that included data from more than 220,000 adults is shedding more light on the acne-food connection. 

The Study: Researchers reviewed data from 228,757 adults ages 37 to 73 in the UK Biobank, looking at food-consumption questionnaires and self-reported acne from the participants. They assessed the overall quality of their diets, and then looked more closely at their intake of certain foods. Pork, skim milk, and milk-based desserts were associated with higher rates of acne. In men, a diet of fewer carbs and more meat was also associated with higher odds of having acne.

The Takeaway: Researchers pinpointed certain foods that were associated with lower rates of acne, including cooked vegetables and yogurt, and the Mediterranean diet was also linked to lower instances of acne, with stronger connections seen in women. In women, eating more unsaturated than saturated fat and lower alcohol intakes were tied to less acne, too.

Keep in Mind: The study determined only associations, not that some foods definitely cause you to either get acne or have clearer skin.