Dairy products make acne worse: true or false

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Acne affects about 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30. There are many myths associated with this disease, but a particularly heated debate has erupted over the connection of acne to food. Life hacker understands how dairy products affect skin condition.

Milk and acne: is there a relationship

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease. Sebum becomes clogged in the follicle and creates a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. Inflammation begins, which looks like a red spot or swelling.

Growing evidence suggests a possible link between diet and acne between dairy consumption and worsening acne.

The hormones in milk increase testosterone levels in the human body. This increases the production of sebum, which clogs the follicles.

In addition to hormones, milk contains whey protein and casein. They increase levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which makes acne worse.

Those who consume protein shakes or bars based on whey and casein should be careful. They also provoke inflammation Incidence of acne vulgaris in young adult users of protein-calorie supplements in the city of João Pessoa.

Should you skip dairy products if you have acne?

Casein and whey are often added to skim milk for a richer flavor. If you cannot completely refuse this product, then give preference to whole milk.

It makes no sense to give up all dairy products. Ice Cream and Acne milk and ice cream aggravate inflammation, while natural yogurt or cheese may not affect the skin condition in any way.

Due to fermentation, yogurt contains less insulin-like growth factor-1 than milk. Therefore, it does not have such a strong effect on the skin. And probiotic yogurt can even reduce inflammation. Could probiotics be the next big thing in acne and rosacea treatments.

How cheese affects the condition of the skin remains unclear.

How to test the effect of milk on your skin

Try to avoid dairy products. Usually 2-3 weeks is enough to understand the relationship, but sometimes the result may appear no earlier than a month later.

If you find it difficult to abruptly eliminate dairy products from your diet, try switching to a diet gradually. Give up milk first. If nothing has changed, try giving up cheese. So you can understand which foods are aggravating inflammation for you personally.

A dairy-free diet will reduce the chances of inflammation, but it won't get rid of acne completely.

Heredity, stress and hormones affect the skin condition much more than any diet.

Proper care is also important. If the rash does not go away for a long time, you will have to resort to special agents with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids.