Eliminate Foods That Cause Acne to Restore Beautiful Skin

This foods that cause acne page is going to go into less commonly known dietary causes of acne, and what you can do to lessen its impact. On this page, we are going to demystify acne and give you a natural solution to solve this growing problem.

Acne is Embarrassing

Acne is a very distressing condition. There is nothing that can compare to the embarrassment and panic you feel when you notice a severe flare. The stress from acne can cause this condition to worsen and can impact the self-esteem of the sufferer. Acne can affect your dating life, your social life and feelings of self-worth. 

Adult Acne is on the Rise

Current statistics have revealed that acne is no longer just a teenage problem. There is an epidemic of acne that is persisting well into adulthood. Acne is particularly active in females, even after menopause. Adult acne can haunt you into your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond.

Acne and Genetics

Children whose parents suffered from terrible acne have a higher incidence of acne. Having a parent with acne does not mean that you or your siblings will necessarily get this affliction. Even twins can differ in their predisposition to acne.

Dr. Hyman Explains Acne & Diet  

Acne Statistics From Around the World

In regions around the world, entire groups of people live their lives completely acne free. Once they're introduced to an American diet and start eating acne causing foods, they suddenly develop acne lesions.

In the Archives of Dermatology, it was discovered that inhabitants of Papua New Guinea and the Paraguay never had acne until they were introduced to modern civilization. It was discovered that they were acne free until they were exposed to sugar.

Sugar is highly inflammatory because it raises insulin. Sugar is one of the main acne-causing foods.   Wheat, milk and sugar appear to act as irritants that prompt an inflammatory response which causes acne.


Expert View

In most current medical literature, researchers insist that diet has no effect on acne.  To contradict this, Dr. Perricone teaches us that by eliminating heavily processed carbs and sugar, and increasing our intake of lean meats, fish, legumes and water, you will notice dramatically clearer skin within four to six weeks.

Some dermatologists I've researched have stated that without question, there is no such thing as foods that cause acne.  However, they did not develop their theories as to why.

Dr. Perricone disagrees.  He teaches us that the standard American diet creates acne through a process called sub-clinical inflammation.  He teaches us that acne lesions are an inflammatory disease. When you are eating a high glycemic diet, you are creating systemic inflammation which is a heavy contributor to acne.

Is Chocolate One of the Foods That Cause Acne?

Let's look at little deeper into the idea that chocolate is one of the foods that cause acne.  There was a pervasive myth in the 1970s and '80s that chocolate caused acne.  We now know that one of the greatest benefits of dark chocolate is gorgeous skin.

Natural dark chocolate contains phenolics that greatly improve your skin. Dark chocolate also boosts endorphins and serotonin levels in your brain.

This is only true of extra dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao or more. Some dermatologists even recommend 85 percent cacao or higher. This type of chocolate contains very little sugar and all of the benefits of natural, dark chocolate.

Opt for the higher grade dark chocolates when you're after clear, healthy radiant, youthful skin. 

Click here to learn how diet affects aging skin.

How Heavily Processed Carbohydrates Contribute to Pimply Skin

Dr. Perricone's research teaches us that refined carbohydrates is one of the biggest offenders as an acne causing food.  When we eat starchy, processed carbohydrates, there is a major spike in insulin. When refined carbohydrates are digested quickly, there is a rapid influx of insulin. High insulin is linked to inflammation.

Dr. Perricone teaches us that high insulin increases IGF-1, causing a severe increase in blocked pores and oily skin. In studies, individuals with cystic acne who eliminated heavily processed carbs, like bagels, cakes, breads, juices, 70% noticed a dramatic lessening of painful acne lesions.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone is a true skin authority. He suffered from distressing acne as a young man. Dr. Perricone developed advanced, scientifically sound methods to control it. Now, he is a world renowned dermatologist with cutting edge information on how to stop acne.

Click here for new information on the link between blood sugar and acne.

High Blood Sugar is Caused by a High Glycemic Diet.  I have personally noticed that eating a low glycemic, anti-inflammatory diet reduces the incidence of breakouts. I've noticed that even if I get a pimple or two, they tend to be much less severe, and go away within a couple of days. 

Click here to learn about a low glycemic diet.

Milk is Possibly One of the Foods That Cause Acne

Most milk comes from pregnant cows. Cows are given recombinant bovine growth hormones (rBGH) to speed their development. This hormone causes cows to dramatically increase milk production, and increases the speed of muscle growth.

The relationship of man-made, synthetic rBGH to acne is unclear. There are conflicting reports on growth hormone's effects on acne.

In recent studies, more than half of individuals who completely eliminated milk from their diets stopped their acne.

Learn more about milk here.

Red Meat Could Possibly Contribute to Acne

Cows are genetically adapted to eat grass. When cows are fed grains, this increases the Omega-6 ratio. An imbalance toward high Omega-6s creates systemic inflammation. If you have a preference for red meat, choosing grass-fed cows may benefit your skin. Grass fed cows have the correct ratio of Omega-6s to Omega-3s.

More Foods That Cause Acne

Some people get red, itchy pimply skin from eating nuts. This is an allergic reaction. If you are a nut lover and you notice itching, reddened, bumpy skin, eliminate nuts and your skin may very well clear up and stop itching within a few days. 

Foods That Prevent Acne

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants they contain guard against inflammation and lower insulin.  Excellent examples are spinach, broccoli, lean cuts of chicken, sardines, salmon, cantaloupe, apples, flax seeds, old fashioned oatmeal, blueberries, red and green Swiss chard.

Check out these  super foods. These foods will also give you gorgeous, radiant skin.

Green tea has potent compounds that inhibit the development of androgens, which are well known to cause acne.  Click here for our powerful green tea page.

Final Steps

Use Apple Cider Vinegar:  Dampen a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and swipe it over your entire face. Let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse. The glycolic acid in the apple cider vinegar will open pimples and comedones and clear your skin.  It also dramatically tightens pores.

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