Hello, I am Dr. Sang-jo Lee, director of Yonsei Star Dermatology, a skin concern consultation center. Acne is known to occur due to a combination of various factors. However, we often encounter various discussions about food, such as "eating a lot of oily food worsens acne" or "flour-based foods are not good for acne." As many people are curious about the relationship between acne and food, today I would like to take some time to answer questions related to acne and food.
What is the relationship between acne and food?
There are various opinions among medical professionals regarding the relationship between acne and specific foods. This is because research related to food requires a long period of time. However, recent studies have revealed that some foods may influence the occurrence of acne.
Foods known to potentially worsen acne
Generally, foods known to potentially worsen acne are as follows:
High-glycemic foods
Foods with a high glycemic index (GI), such as chocolate or sugar, instantly raise blood sugar. Insulin secretion is induced to lower blood sugar, and the substances released at this time can be associated with acne. Therefore, it may be advisable to be a little cautious with very sweet foods.
Milk and dairy products
Several papers have been published stating that milk and dairy products can also worsen acne. If you feel that your acne has worsened after consuming these foods, reducing them temporarily when your acne is severe may help with acne treatment.
Are oily foods really the main culprit for acne?
Many people say that "too much oily food worsens acne," but in fact, there is still insufficient evidence for this.
When eating beef, it may be fatty, but cows actually only eat grass. Just as not eating grass does not mean that fat will not be produced, there is still not enough clear evidence that consuming oily foods directly causes acne.
Based on what is currently known, it may be advisable to be a little cautious with high-glycemic foods and dairy products.
The link between alcohol and acne
Alcohol is considered one of the main culprits that can worsen acne. In reality, rather than alcohol having a direct link to acne, it is because drinking a lot of alcohol makes our bodies tired. When the body is tired, stress hormones are secreted, and these hormones directly affect the occurrence of acne. Therefore, a light drink may be fine, but if you drink excessively to the point of fatigue, your acne may worsen the next day.
Factors other than food that affect acne
Acne is also deeply related to our body's hormones. While hormones cannot be artificially changed, it is possible to manage various factors that can worsen acne.
- Lack of sleep: If you don't sleep well, stress hormones can be secreted, which can worsen acne.
- Stress: If you experience a lot of stress, stress hormones are also released, which has a negative impact on acne.
- Fatigue: If your body is tired, the overall physical balance can be disrupted, and your skin condition may also worsen.
Lifestyle habits for acne management
Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise can help manage acne and other skin conditions. Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a balanced diet can have a positive impact on skin health.
Today, we explored the relationship between acne and food. If you have any further questions about acne management, we recommend consulting with a medical professional.