5 Myths About Acne and Diet That We Can Stop Believing, According to Science
Skincare is one of the most important things we can manage in terms of our external appearance. But many people experience troubles with their skin that can range a host of problems. These problems can include anything from the occasional pimple to blackheads, but one problem that is a huge burden for some is acne. Acne can occur for many reasons, like health conditions, irritation from skin care products, genetics, fluctuating hormones, or even genetics. But no matter what the origin, the fact is that acne can be a real pain to try and remedy. There are several different ways to treat acne that can actually improve your condition. The best way to find out the treatment that is right for you is to speak to a dermatologist about your individual situation. But there are other so called skin care remedies that are not as beneficial. Take one look online for acne solutions, and you will find there are plenty of solutions that claim to solve skin care problems. But false information is part of the reason people suffer from skincare issues longer than they have to. By following unsubstantiated solutions like this, you may irritate existing problems or create new ones. If you are ready to leave behind this kind of untrue information, read on about these 5 myths about acne and diet that we can stop believing, according to science.
Teenagers are the only people to get acne
Many people think that only teenagers get acne, but this is not true. Many adults suffer from acne for various reasons, but one of them is a change in hormones. Hormones cause an increase in sebum, which is the oil in the glands within the skin. Hormones can also cause an increase in skin cell growth. Between these two factors and old skincare cells, the skin can begin to develop conditions like acne. While hormonal acne happens commonly during puberty, it can persist throughout adulthood.
Chocolate is not good for your skin
It is a common thought that chocolate is not good for your skin. This is another misconception, leading many to believe that chocolate can worsen or cause acne. But this information is conflicting. There are older studies that were used in forming this stigma, but they are not true in totality. What is likely possible is that the type of chocolate and added ingredients are more likely to blame than the chocolate itself. Try dark chocolate as a substitute and see if this negatively affects your skin.
Dairy is causing your acne
For a long time, there has been a lot of debate about dairy in terms of skin health. But research is discovering that there is still much to learn about dairy’s effects on health, according to integrative and functional dietician Jillian Greaves, MPH, RD, LDN. “It’s suggested that certain types of dairy may contribute to acne. This is likely due to dairy increasing insulin secretion and IGF-1 levels, which can lead to increased levels of androgen hormones and sebum production,” she said.
Grease makes acne worse
It is commonly thought that greasy foods cause acne. This makes sense as acne is the result of an overproduction of oil. But there are actually no studies that directly link greasy foods to acne. “Food itself is rarely ever the cause of acne alone, but certain foods might be amplifying underlying dynamics like blood sugar issues, inflammation, or gut imbalances that are driving acne on a deeper level,” Greaves said. Be sure to add more nutritional foods to your diet. This will help to balance out your intake of good foods and foods that aren’t so good for you. Doing this is more sustainable and realistic than completely eliminating foods you really love. Another way to improve your skin is to be cautious when you are eating greasier foods. If you touch your hands to your face after eating greasy foods, you will be spreading oil to your face. This will contribute to more acne-prone conditions in your skin.
Leave gluten behind for better skin
Some people think that cutting out gluten can make your skin better as well. But this is not always the case. Unless you have a condition called celiac disease — where your body negatively reacts to gluten — you may not need to cut gluten from your diet to improve your skin.