Does Milk Cause Acne? (Spec)

When it comes to getting rid of ance, it seems like there are a million different options to try to treat it. From topical treatments to oral medications to home remedies like putting toothpaste on a zit, you may still struggle. And even if you are able to temporarily fix breakouts, the underlying issue may still cause acne once you complete your treatments.

One topic that is being studied at a more frequent rate when it comes to the diagnosis and cause of acne is your diet. Do certain foods or food groups cause acne? More specifically, this article will cover if milk and milk products cause acne breakouts.

Unfortunately for those who consume cow's milk regularly, there are studies that have come out to show that consuming cow's milk can lead to acne. Two studies conducted in 2016 that have been reported in the American Academy of Dermatology showed that adolescents and adults who consumed skim and reduced cow's milk experienced more acne breakouts, while those who drank full-fat cow's milk showed lesser signs of acne.

One of these studies was conducted amongst adolescents ages 14 - 19, and the participants' nutrient and food intake was studied over a period of time. The researchers then compared those who consumed low-fat/reduced-fat cow's milk to those who did not. The study concluded that the consumption of low/reduced fat cow's milk is positively associated with acne in this study. A separate study conducted with adult patients also found that the consumption of milk products is positively linked to acne. However, this study also found positive associations with full-fat milk as well as reduced/low-fat milk unlike the previous study mentioned.

While these studies do show positive results in the causation of acne due to milk consumption, the real question is why is this the cause? Unfortunately due to the limited research in this area, there are a few different hypotheses as to why, but not one factor has been determined. The three main theories are: the amount consumed, sugar/glycemic index, and hormone inflammation.

Amount

As with anything in life, consuming too much of anything can be bad for you. Even water... or milk. According to one study conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, those who drink 3 or more portions of milk were positively associated with acne breakouts. The results were more severe for those who drank skim milk vs. whole milk. However, the overconsumption of either showed a positive trend toward acne breakouts.

Sugar/Glycemic Index

Most acne studies done on its relationship to diet are conducted in this area. Studies show that foods that have high amounts of sugar and simple carbohydrates can lead to inflammation in the skin. The reason for this is a constant intake of foods that have high glycemic index levels will cause your body to produce more insulin. More insulin leads to inflammation in the body to protect itself. However, too much inflammation can cause acne breakouts on your skin. This reason also can be linked back to why studies are showing that more acne can come from low fat/reduced fat cow's milk. In skim and reduced fat milk products, there are typically added sugars to improve the taste of the product. Again, these added sugars can increase insulin levels and cause breakouts.

Hormone Disruption

In cow's milk there are proteins called whey and casein. These proteins are meant to help a cow's baby grow. However, when humans consume cow milk, we also ingest these proteins. When humans digest these proteins, our bodies release a similar hormone to insulin called IGF-1. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, increased levels of insulin in our system can lead to inflammation and hormonal acne breakouts.

Again, doctors and researchers are still not sure which and if there is one singular cause that is the reason behind cow's milk leading to acne. It is likely a combination of inflammation, amount, and hormone disruption.

If you are struggling with acne breakouts and feel as though you have tried every treatment out there, it may be time to think about your diet. Just taking 30 days without cow's milk may show a decrease in breakouts. And if you do see your skin begin to clear but find yourself missing milk and milk products there are many different dairy-free and casein/whey-free options on the market that will satisfy these cravings while keeping your skin clear!