Medically reviewed by Minimalist Health Specialist - Written by Nancy Agrahari (Journalist) on 09th Oct 2020
Can Some Food cause Acne - Truth Vs. Myth
Is acne interfering with your appetite?
Being picky about eating food when you are prone to breakouts seems like a natural reflex. But becoming borderline paranoid and skipping different food because they may cause acne is terrible.
There are many acne centered myths that we have heard over the years. These myths have stopped people from eating their favorites in hopes of getting rid of acne and breakouts. This post will debunk all myths and give you a clear idea of what ingredients could trigger acne and which won't!
Eat Healthy, Look Healthy!
There is an apparent relation between acne and food. Your skin is like a mirror. What you eat is reflected in the face. A healthy, balanced diet gives you a radiant, glowing complexion. Junk foods, sweets, and specific milk protein push acne and aging.
According to certain studies, around 80% of people experience acne or pimples in their life. Be it a teenage pimple or the belief that acne is caused by dirt. We are here to break the myth, one at a time. Please read carefully and scratch away the acne myth from your mind so that you stop balancing your favorite food on it.
Myth 1- Dirty skin causes acne
You may have heard that accumulated dirt causes acne, which pushes you to wash your face thrice a day. People believe what they hear, and some have been living with the belief that acne is caused by dirty skin.
Our skin experts deny the myth and believe that no harsh products are needed to reduce the acne. For acne or breakout-prone skin, look for gentle cleansers with potent exfoliates in them like Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid).
According to our skin experts, accumulated dead skin cells and sebum or oil may further aggravate acne.
Solution?
Look for gentle cleansers that deeply cleanse your skin while keeping it nourished. Do not over-wash your skin or scrub it harshly as it will only irritate your skin and lead to more breakouts.
Coming back to the myth, it is pretty clear that dirty skin doesn’t cause acne but may further aggravate and lead to more breakouts if not cleaned or exfoliated.
Myth 2- Chocolate Causes Acne
Chocolate and acne have been related more times than skincare and organic products. The truth is eating chocolate doesn’t cause acne. The ingredients in the chocolate bar do it. It is the milk protein present in the chocolate bar that leads to acne.
Specific research proves that a high intake of milk proteins can lead to acne and aging. It is because of the very high level of bacterias and hormones available in milk products that influence acne.
Milk chocolates are full of sugar and other ingredients that are not very healthy. This doesn’t mean you cut out on milk because milk can keep your bones healthy. You could probably check your milk intake as a precaution. An overdose can trigger acne.
Solution?
If you love chocolates, try and eat dark chocolate as they are made with less sugar and 70% cocoa and provide a few health benefits.
Myth 3- Only Teenagers get acne
We agree that teenagers are more prone to acne due to all the hormonal changes. But there is no way that only teenagers get acne. People from all age groups can get acne or pimple.
Myth 4- Stress leads to acne
Our parents constantly advise us to calm down to reduce stress, and our skin will become automatically healthy if we do so. Though we understand that focus is important in our life, it may lead to a permanent host for acne on your skin if you don’t calm down.
Stress might not cause another pimple, but it will make them stay. According to research the myth that stress can cause acne is false. The truth is stress may not cause your acne but will help it to stay. There is a specific relationship between stress and acne flare-up, so if you already have acne and you are stressed, it may cause more outbreaks.
In these cases, look for ways to calm your mind and body. Try to take a walk in the park or on your terrace. Or you can meditate, do yoga, or even give yourself a good hair massage to avoid more acne or breakouts.
Myth 5- Greasy food can cause acne and breakouts
There has been no concrete study or connection that proves eating pizza, fries, or burgers will cause you acne. However, one should avoid eating a lot of junk to stay fit and healthy.
Myth 6- Popping the pimple will make them go away
We suggest you never believe this myth! Popping the pimple will only make matters worse as it may cause inflammation and scarring.
Suppose you wish to pop the pimple then only when it is necessary. Avoid touching your spot and if you are up for popping it, then do it only when the puss comes out, and you need to clean the pimple. The right way of cleaning the puss is by doing it ‘gently.’ Tips on how to squeeze out the pimple:
- Stay Hygenic: Make sure you gently squeeze out the pus from the pimple. Pop only if it is hygienic. Otherwise, you will only end up opening the pores for the bacterias to go inside the epidermis. Touch the pimples only when they are ready to be cleaned; otherwise, use a gentle exfoliator.
- Exfoliate: Gentle exfoliation gets rid of all the excess oil, bacterias, or sebums accumulated near the pimple. Use fragrance-free, SA 2% cleansers for reducing acne and getting clear, plump skin.
- Clean your face and grab a tissue: Before squeezing out the puss, wash your hands and face. Wrap a tissue around your nails (to avoid infection) and grab a few cotton buds. Sterilize the needle (before use) and lightly stick it on the pimple. This way, the puss will have a space to escape, and it will come right out rather than going deeper into the skin.
Myth 7- Avoid sunscreen in acne-prone skin
You should not leave the house without layering your skin with sunscreen, even if you have acne-prone skin. Exposure to the dangerous UV rays of the sun can lead to inflammation and result in more acne. The heat will irritate your skin and cause further inflammation.
Look for a good sunscreen that protects your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Minimalist Tip:
The ideal way to incorporate sunscreen is to wear it after layering all the creams (anti-acne creams, treatments, moisturizers) or looking for moisturizing sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF 50+ regardless of the season. If your skin continues to have a breakout, then try using other sunscreens with lower SPF.
Myth 8- Drinking Water will keep the skin hydrated
When it comes to hydrating your skin, drinking water, or splashing your face with water won’t do the trick. Of course, your skin needs hydration; otherwise, it will result in dull, dry-looking skin, and yes, drinking water is essential for a radiant complexion. But just drinking water won’t help here.
What more can be done?
The right way to keep your skin hydrated and baby-soft is by using products or serums that lock moisture onto your skin to keep it hydrated. The best possible way to fully hydrate your skin is by using products like Hyaluronic Acid 2%+Vitamin B5. It is a hydrating booster that works wonders on the skin by pulling the moisture deep into the skin and locking it in there for an instant plump, glowy looking skin. The best part of HA is that it suits all skin types.
Myth 9- Milk and Dairy Products can cause acne-True
True, research has shown that milk, dairy products, and saturated fats promote the skin's visible acne. If you love the dairy products or are a sweet-tooth, you may want to cut down on your total intake to reduce further inflammation or acne growth.
Minimalist Tip:
Try to balance your total calorie uptake and restrict your phone and mind to order food with carbs, milk, dairy protein supplements, saturated fats, or trans-fats. Instead, eat fresh fruits and green to build a healthy and robust skin that is plump and clean.
Myth 10- Acne will go away on its own
Scrap away the idea that acne will go on its own because it will not! Look for gentle exfoliators with Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide 2%+Glycolic Acid 5% to visibly erase acne and exfoliate the skin. If you want to reduce the dark spots, you can use the best of the lot Kojic acid 2% %+Alpha Arbutin 1% for blemish-free even-looking skin.
Myth 11- Limit your makeup use-True
This particular myth is true. Layering your face with foundation, concealer, blush, or other makeup products will hide the acne but may irritate the skin. Let your skin breathe and clear all traces of heavy products.
You can use layering up and wear foundation but always clean your skin before going to bed. For acne-prone skin, always look for non-oily, non-comedogenic makeup as they don’t clog your pores, so they will not cause you any irritation or inflammation.
Key Takeaways
We have busted a few myths for you and believe that you will keep them in mind regarding acne and other skin issues.
You can always visit a dermatologist to discuss your acne if it is persistent, and there seems no improvement whatsoever.
If you want to limit lab visits, then look for the right anti-acne products and use them. Whatever you choose, keep it the minimalist way and eat healthily for a healthy body and mind.
