Does Milk Cause Acne?
Our patients always ask us, “Does what I eat cause acne?” The truth is that we don’t know with certainty. For years, it was thought was that diet did not contribute to the formation of acne. However, recent research suggests that certain aspects of your diet may contribute to the formation of acne, particularly in teenage patients. The most commonly seen acne triggers are milk and foods with a high glycemic index.
Several studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, suggest that there is a positive correlation between dairy intake and acne. Certain dairy products, such as skim milk, may have a small correlation to acne. This correlation is weak; not every person who drinks skim milk will develop acne. Dairy consumption is one of the many factors that contributes to the formation of acne.
Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Some of our patients find that their acne worsens as their dairy intake increases. Not all patients find that dairy causes their acne to flare, but we recommend that patients who do notice the correlation avoid excess dairy consumption.”
The relationship between diet and acne is one that is currently being researched. In the near future, we may have more information on what foods to avoid and even what foods might help acne. Foods with a high glycemic index have also been shown in studies to have an influence on acne. Studies have suggested that avoiding foods with a high glycemic index can help to lessen acne flares for some patients.
Click here to read more about the correlation between diet and acne.
