Is Milk Bad for Acne?

Many rumors, myths and misconceptions exist concerning acne and its causes. At its simplest, acne is a condition that results when your body produces excess oil, which plugs your pores and causes pimples. If bacteria are added into the mix, the breakout can become more pronounced, red and uncomfortable. Milk is an example of a drink that is often linked with aggravating acne.

Research

An article published in the March 2011 issue of "Dermatology" surveys the link between acne and drinking milk. According to the article, the proteins in milk elevate special insulin levels in your body. These insulin levels trigger a pathway that reduces the amount of Fox01, a protein in the body. A lack of Fox01 in the body is linked with a number of acne-causing factors. This includes increased oil production, inflammation in the pores and plugged pores.

Hormones

Other factors in milk that can potentially cause acne are hormones. Cows' milk available for purchase chiefly comes from pregnant cows. These cows produce growth hormones to stimulate growth in their calves. This hormone is similar to the hormone known as dihydrotestosterone, which stimulates the oil-producing glands in the skin. If the skin starts producing extra oil as a result, your pores may become plugged, which can cause acne breakouts. For this reason, organic milk may not be an alternate option. While the cows for organically produced milk are not given hormones, they still naturally have hormones when pregnant.

Expert Insight

While milk may exacerbate acne symptoms, it is not typically the sole cause, according to Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist interviewed in "Fitness" magazine. "Whether you develop acne depends on your genes and environmental factors," said Hirsch. If you have a tendency to develop acne, milk may make your acne symptoms more frequent or severe.

Rebuttal

Despite speculations and early studies concerning the connection between milk and acne, Dr. Judith Bryans, director of the United Kingdom's Dairy Council disagrees, according to an interview in the UK's "The Independent" newspaper. Bryans said studies have shown a link between milk and acne, but not that drinking milk causes acne. She also warns against the exclusion of milk from your daily diet, especially for acne-prone teenagers whose growing bodies need milk as a source of calcium for building strong bones.