Tired of acne? Dermatologist lists six food items that can lead to an acne breakout

Fed up with acne erupting all over your face relentlessly and refusing to leave despite anti acne creams and face-packs? Dermatologist Dr Aanchal Panth suggests - watch what goes on your plate. In a YouTube video, she listed the food items to avoid and food to eat more of, if you want to have clear, flawless skin.

Milk

Milk can trigger acne primarily through its hormone content (IGF-1 and androgens) which stimulates sebum production and skin cell growth, leading to clogged pores. Studies suggest that milk, especially skim milk, causes a rise in insulin levels, promoting inflammation and acne.


However, she suggested that you can have cheese, curd and butter, but only in moderate quantities.

Sugar

Want to avoid acne appearing? Steer clear of sugar, Dr Aanchal advised. High sugar intake triggers acne by causing rapid spikes in blood sugar, which increases insulin and a hormone called IGF-1. These spikes boost androgen hormone levels, stimulating excessive sebum (oil) production, accelerating skin cell growth, and increasing inflammation. Together, this oil and skin cell buildup clog pores, promoting bacterial growth and acne.

Fast Food

Fast food triggers acne primarily through high-glycemic carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, which cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin. These spikes increase sebum (oil) production, stimulate androgen hormones, and promote inflammation. Key culprits include sugary drinks, fried items (fries, burgers), and refined flour products.

White Rice

She said white rice can be consumed but only in moderation.

White Bread

White bread is another culprit that causes acne. She suggested to replace white bread with multi grain bread. White bread triggers acne because it is a high-glycemic, refined carbohydrate that rapidly spikes blood sugar and insulin levels. This insulin surge increases androgen hormones and sebum (oil) production, leading to clogged pores, inflammation, and bacterial growth.

Chocolates

Chocolates can cause acne to erupt if you over indulge. However, you can eat a little bit of dark chocolate.