Does Dairy Products Cause Acne?

Are you in the habit of eating too many dairy products and also facing acne on your face? So probably you want to know about the connection between milk and dairy products and acne problems. I can understand the condition when someone likes to eat anything and He/She can't because of health issues. After reading this post, all of your concerns will be eliminated. you would know the answer to the question" does dairy products cause acne?" I have also shared some common tips to avoid and treat acne.

What is acne?

Acne is a most common skin condition in which oil and dead skin cells block the hair follicles. This results in the formation of blackheads, pimples, whiteheads, and some other types of skin marks called acne. This is not so dangerous situation but badly affects the beauty of someone's face. Acne is a major concern of teenagers and persons up to 30 years. They try their best to get rid of this skin condition as soon as possible.

Acne can result due to different factors like genetics, hormonal changes, environmental factors, medications, stress, etc. However, acne can be treated by using oral or topical medications, specific cosmetics usage, changing lifestyles, and laser therapy is most common nowadays.

The connection between dairy products and acne:

Research has been conducted on the link between dairy products and acne and their findings are mixed. One view is that the consumption of dairy products may result in enhancing the risk of acne. But the second view does not support any connection between acne and dairy products use.

The relation between dairy products and acne can be best explained by the following fact. Hormones such as insulin-like-growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are present in milk which stimulates sebum (oil) production in the skin. This sebum promotes the development of acne on the skin. In addition, some people have sensitivity against other hormones or substances present in the milk that initiates inflammatory response leading to acne.

However, the third viewpoint is that milk contains fat, and that increases the oil production in the skin. So, fat may also be a contributing factor in acne production on the skin. You might be noticed that consuming too much oily food products like snacks and fried things also increases the chances of acne development.

Which dairy products cause more acne?

It is argued by most people that cheese and other dairy products high in fat are the most common contributors to acne. While low-fat dairy products are less prominent to cause acne. This fat enhances the generation of sebum in the skin causing it to block the pores and thus resulting in acne. However, the research on the link between acne and dairy products is not too definitive, and different people may have different sensitivities.

Should we avoid these dairy products to avoid acne?

Dairy products that contains a large amount of fat are considered oily. Following are the common dairy products that are high in fat.

Heavy cream | dairy product:

Heavy cream is a useful dairy product that is made by the separation of cream from milk. It contains high amounts of fat and its texture is oily and creamy.

Butter:

Butter is also prepared from cream and is high in fat. It has an oily and smooth texture which is used for cooking and baking purposes.

Cheese | dairy product:

Certain types of cheese like camembert, brie, and feta are high in fat and may be related to cause acne. If you want to remain far from acne, you should avoid consuming too much cheese.

Sour cream:

Fermentation of cream by using lactic acid bacteria is a process to make sour cream. It is also high in fat and should be avoided if concerned about acne.

Types of acne:

There are various kinds of acne that affect the skin particularly the facial parts of the skin.

Whiteheads:

the small raised bumps that are shown when pores are filled with dead skin and oil. The heads of these bumps are yellowish or white.

Blackheads:

the dark small spots that appear on the skin's surface are known as blackheads. These are also formed due to the clogging of pores by oil and dead cells. When oil is oxidized it gives a black appearance.

Papules:

Papules are raised bumps having pink or red color. If these are touched, they cause pain.

Pustules:

these are the same in appearance as papules but are filled with pus. That s why they may give a yellowish or white appearance.

Nodules:

The large bumpy skin marks which are deep under the skin are called nodules. These may be pain-causing and large in size. These take a long time to remove completely and may leave marks on the skin.

Cyst:

These are the same as nodules but filled with pus. These may be more painful.

People may suffer from any of the above types of acne or a combination of these depending on different factors. Different dermatologists use different treatment methods to cure these skin problems.

How to avoid acne?

If you are serious about acne and want to avoid this skin problem to look good, then follow these tricks.

Stay hydrated:

You should drink a large amount of water per day to keep your skin hydrated. I will also keep your skin healthy and pure. While dehydrated skin leads to more oil production and causes acne.

Eating a healthy diet:

Eating a diet consisting of fruits, whole grains, and fresh juices. Vegetables etc help to promote the health of your skin. You should remain far away from sugar and glycemic food which results in inflammation.

Managing your stress:

If you take much stress then it will lead to acne and make your skin worse. You can use some relaxation techniques to reduce stress like Quran recitation meditation or deep breathing.

Employing sunscreen:

You can also use sunscreen to save your skin from sunburn. Immense sunlight can cause inflammation on your skin and result in acne. If you are facing any severe acne condition then it is necessary to consult with a skin specialist.

How to treat acne?

The skin of every person is unique and requires different types of nutrients and skin care products. It is possible that one remedy may work for one type of skin while not suitable for another type. There are different methods to treat different acne problems and also depends on their severity.

Keeping skin clean:

Make sure you wash your skin twice a day with lukewarm water. You can also apply a cleanser to remove dead skin cells, oil, or dirt particles on your skin.

Avoiding picking acne:

Do not pick or squeeze acne because it may make them worse and leave scars.

Acne products:

You should prefer such products for acne that contain alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. These compounds help to unclog the pores on the skin and reduce inflammation.

Do not use oily products:

If you are facing acne then avoid oily or greasy products to apply on your skin. Any cosmetic products which contain greasy elements should be avoided.

Using the non-comedogenic product:

Cosmetic products that are labeled as “non-comedogenic” should e preferred for your skin. It means such products will not cause clogging of pores.

Evade triggers:

Any factor that may initiate or stimulate acne production is called the trigger. These may be a certain type of food product, hormonal change, or unhealthy habits. You must avoid all such types of factors to keep your skin healthy.

One thing you should keep in mind is that acne treatment takes time. So, be patient and regularly employ the method to combat this skin problem.