5 Myths About Acne and Diet That We Can Stop Believing, According to Science (2 of 3)

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.