If you’re prone to acne, you’ve most likely noticed a breakout occur after eating certain types of foods. You’ve likely taken to Dr. Google to try and find the source so that you can cut it out of your diet and give your skin a break. If yes, then we have an acne diet advice that could be of help.

Founder of sustainable soap bar brand Beauty Kin Nada Ward, stepped right back into The Beautiful Lifestyle Online, to share her expert advice and insight on an acne diet, which foods typically irritate acne-prone skin, and why.

So, what kind of acne diet typically causes skin breakout?

According to Nada, it is important to note that the food itself does not directly cause acne or spot breakouts on a person’s skin. “Certain foods and ingredients cause a reaction to excessively oily skin or skin that is already prone to acne and spot breakouts, rather than being a direct cause. It’s also vital to maintain a proper skin cleansing routine to avoid any food-related reactions.

“Typically, foods that are high in sugar, fat, and dairy are the worst culprits for causing a skin reaction due to being high in glycemic, meaning that these foods raise blood sugar levels. Consequently, the rise in insulin levels in the body increases the production of the hormones which cause acne and spot breakouts.”

Foods that typically contain ingredients that can cause skin inflammation include:

1. Refined grains and sugars

Past studies have concluded that people who suffer from acne consume more refined carbohydrates than those who do not suffer from acne. Refined carbohydrates are present in foods that contain white flour such as pasta, white rice, bread, and desserts containing white flour.

2. Fast food – i.e. foods with high grease content

Fried foods such as burgers and fries are also another cause of skin inflammation for people with oily or acne-prone skin. Again, these foods cause an increase in the hormone which stimulates sebum production in the body, which in turn leads to skin irritation and spot breakouts.

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3. Dairy

Products that are high in dairy are the third cause of skin inflammation. Why is this? Cow’s milk is high in testosterone, which can then lead to stimulation of the oil glands in the skin, resulting in possible breakouts. This particularly impacts those with an oily skin type.

4. Chocolate: is it really part of an acne diet?

Chocolate has regularly been blamed for causing a spot-related reaction in people; however, this actually a bit of a myth. There are currently no conclusive studies that have been able to link chocolate as being a direct attribute to skin breakouts.

What foods are good for the skin?

Food types containing probiotics are your best friend when it comes to looking after your skin. Probiotics will help to balance your skin’s PH levels by feeding healthy bacteria in your skin. “Complex carbohydrates are also good for your skin due to the anti-inflammatory properties that they possess. Complex carbs include brown rice, quinoa, spinach, whole-grain bread, broccoli, and oats”.

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What else can I do to prevent spot breakouts?

Cleaning up your acne diet alone is not enough to keep spot breakouts at bay. “A good, consistent cleansing routine is also necessary for keeping your skin healthy and blemish-free.”

Nada recommends using the Clarifying Bar – A non-comedogenic pH-balanced bar containing Salicylic Acid to exfoliate and reduce inflammation. The clarifying bar includes Tamanu to improve the appearance of scarring and moisturize the skin, and neroli to provide an uplifting aroma. The bar is a perfectly natural way of treating blemish-prone skin on the face and the body.