Acne & Food

The "American Academy of Dermatology" has long maintained that there is no link between what you eat and the clarity of your skin, but recent studies, including one published in "Current Opinion in Pediatrics" in 2005, argue that "nutritional studies have re-evaluated a possible role for diet and lifestyle factors in acne development." What you eat may, in fact, influence whether or not you have acne.

The Ultimate Acne Cause

Typically, acne is the result of hormones. Male-type hormones called androgens, which include testosterone, increase the production of an oil-like substance called sebum inside skin glands, according to an article published in 2009 in "Medical News Today" by Christian Nordqvist. When sebum levels are too high, skin pores clog, bacteria thrive and pimples develop.

Sugar

According to the book "The Clear Skin Diet" published by Harvard University's Alan Logan and nutritionist Valerie Treloar, foods that have a high glycemic index--that is, foods high in sugar and simple starches--boost the body's production of insulin, a hormone that indirectly increases testosterone levels.
As a result, diets high in sugar can exacerbate acne. A randomized control trial published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2007 by Robyn Smith and colleagues found that young men who ate diets with a high-glycemic index did, indeed, suffer from more acne than men who ate foods with a lower glycemic index.

Dairy

Dairy products may also exacerbate acne. A 2005 study published in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" by Clement A. Adebamowo and colleagues reported that teenagers who drank milk in high school suffered more acne than teens who did not. The article concluded that "the presence of hormones and bioactive molecules in milk" may cause acne.
According to "The Clear Skin Diet," milk from pregnant cows often contains hormones that the human body can convert into androgens like testosterone.

Soy

Soy, according to Cornell University, is a phytoestrogen, or a compound that mimics the female-type hormone estrogen. Estrogen inhibits the production of sebum, so soy may ultimately improve acne. However, no controlled studies have investigated whether people who eat soy have fewer skin problems than people who do not. As a result, the link between soy and skin health is still speculative.

Considerations

The "Clear Skin Diet" argues that the best foods for acne include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (nuts and fish), fiber (peas and oats), and fruits and vegetables. Fresh, as opposed to processed, foods are also healthiest for skin.