Does diet affect acne?
News flash!
Acne treatment plans that recommend a special diet have not been scientifically proven. The only exception to this is that diets high in sugar (and yes, this includes fast food, many packaged foods, and alcohol) and having more than the equivalent of one glass of dairy products per day (whole milk, low-fat/skim milk, yogurt, ice cream, or cheese) have both been linked to an increase in breakouts.
Dairy and sugar both affect my acne. If I cut down drastically, my skin is clear. —Ari, 36
We also know that “biotics” are beneficial for the gut and skin health.
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria taken orally that give health benefits for skin and gut health. Probiotics can be found in certain foods and beverages such as yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, and kombucha. They can also be found in supplements, including but not limited to Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. Supplements like this are usually kept refrigerated to maintain their potency.
Probiotics enhance our body’s environment by maintaining microbial balance in the gut, which in turn is thought to strengthen the skin’s barrier. Oral probiotic foods and supplements are widely recommended for people with acne, especially those who have been on oral antibiotic treatment because antibiotics wipe out the healthy flora in the gut, and the probiotics restore the good flora. The influence that topical probiotics can have on skin conditions has yet to be fully researched clinically.
PREBIOTICS
Prebiotics are compounds that stimulate the growth of good bacteria. Sugars or plant oils are the basis for prebiotic skincare products which nourish the microbiome of skin surface bacteria. Prebiotic skincare products give nourishment for good bacteria by using sugars derived from plants (oats), from nature (honey), and from plant-based oils (jojoba oil).
POSTBIOTICS
Dermatology has long been familiar with postbiotics, as many commercially available skin-care products already include lactic acid and glycerol. Postbiotics help to slow the multiplication of disease-causing bacteria like C. acnes.
However, since there have been no good quality studies that prove the positive effects of a particular diet, medical professionals don’t advise any particular or “magic” diet.
I’ve had acne for 24 years now, and I’ve tried so many elimination diets it’s crazy. Nothing seemed to cure it. Violetta, 36
If you decide to limit your milk consumption or dramatically alter your diet in any way, you may benefit from seeing a nutritionist due to the potential negative nutritional effects of limiting your choices. For example, lower calcium intake can affect bone health.
When it comes to feeding skin that has acne, we’ve got you covered. Science Skincare’s Breakout System is full of prebiotics, postbiotics and vitamins.
