Does sugar cause acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that causes inflammation and pustules, typically on your face. It happens when your pores become blocked with oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria. Certain people may be more prone to developing acne than others, and certain external factors may worsen the appearance of acne.

One of these external factors is your diet. What you eat may affect acne, and you may have heard people say that sugar causes breakouts. Excessive sugar consumption may be a contributing factor, and altering your diet may help you manage your symptoms.

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Sugar and acne: What’s the link?

Acne vulgaris (or simply “acne”) is a very common inflammatory skin condition affecting up to 90% of adolescents. Many different factors can contribute to its development, including your diet. While there’s been debate on the link between diet and acne, 2022 research suggests that what you eat can have an effect.

Excessive sugar consumption may be a contributing factor. For example, a 2020 study found a 54% higher chance of having acne when consuming foods high in sugar or fat. Frequent consumption of sugary drinks had 18% higher odds.

The reason behind this may be due to their effect on blood sugar. These foods and beverages can cause your blood sugar to rise very quickly, which can cause inflammation throughout your body. These spikes can also cause your skin to produce more sebum, a type of oil, which can lead to increased acne breakouts.

This specifically refers to refined sugars, which are sugars that have been highly processed. These include granulated table sugar and high fructose corn syrup often found in foods such as:

• candy
• ice cream
• sodas
• cookies

Compared with natural sugar, your body absorbs refined sugars very quickly, causing spikes in your blood sugar.

If you think sugar might be causing or worsening your acne, it may be useful to keep a diary of your symptoms to see if there are any links between your diet and symptoms. You may also consider reducing your consumption of processed sugary foods.

Foods to try with acne

If you believe your diet may be affecting your acne, there are some changes you can make to your diet to help reduce your symptoms.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends following a low glycemic diet if you have acne. This diet focuses on foods that cause a slow and steady rise in blood sugar instead of those that cause rapid spikes, like processed sugars.

Some 2020 research suggests that people who consume a low glycemic diet have fewer acne lesions (pimples) than people consuming a high glycemic diet, and people who changed their diet to a low glycemic one saw reductions in inflammation and lesions. A low glycemic diet may also improve the effectiveness of treatment.

Foods to try in a low glycemic diet include:

• wholegrain bread
• fish and seafood
• nuts
• fruits such as apples, strawberries, and peaches
• most vegetables
• lentils
• chickpeas
• brown rice
• grains like quinoa and barley

Acne treatments

After considering and potentially altering your diet, your next step in acne treatment will likely be to try over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. Some of the most common include:

• Retinoids: Retinoids are molecules derived from vitamin A. Mild OTC products can help with skin conditions. For example, you can use retinol and adapalene (Differin) to help manage acne.
• Azelaic acid: Azelaic acid may help you manage your symptoms and fade hyperpigmentation.
• Benzoyl peroxide: Many OTC acne products contain benzoyl peroxide as their active ingredient, starting at a strength of around 2.5%.
• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is another common ingredient in OTC acne products, like cleansers and creams. It can help unclog your pores, ultimately reducing symptoms.

If OTC options don’t work for you, or if your acne is severe, a doctor will generally recommend prescription medications.

If bacterial infections are involved in your symptoms, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to apply directly to the skin, such as clindamycin 1% (Cleocin) or erythromycin 2% (Erythrocin). In very severe cases, a doctor might prescribe oral antibiotics, like doxycycline (Vibramycin Hylcate) or minocycline (Minocin).

Another common medication for acne is isotretinoin. This is a very strong retinoid, and doctors mostly recommend it for very severe or recurrent acne or acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

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Online care for acne

Although your diet may affect your acne, changing what you eat may not completely clear it. This means it’s still important to seek the proper treatment.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

Acne is a very common condition, particularly among adolescents, and it’s linked to inflammation in your body. What you eat — including foods high in sugar — may increase inflammation in your body and worsen acne.

Foods high in processed sugars can cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar. This spike can raise inflammation throughout your body and trigger your skin to produce more sebum.

Sticking to a diet low in processed sugars may be best to help reduce the severity of your symptoms. This involves favoring whole wheat bread, fish, and fresh fruit and vegetables over candy and soda.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.