9 Foods That Cause Acne

By Andrea Stanley, fitness

Go beyond skin deep: Your diet may be to blame for your breakouts. While food isn't the be-all and end-all cause of acne, it can exacerbate it, says Ranella Hirsch, MD, past president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and dermatologist practicing in Boston. If you've already tried every beauty product with "acne" on the label, it's time to rethink the role these foods play in your diet.

Skim Milk

Got milk? Malaysian research revealed that those who regularly consumed milk were four times more likely to have acne drama than those who didn't (the hormones in dairy are thought to make your skin go haywire). More surprising: Skim may be worse than whole or low-fat milk, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The exact reason why is still unclear, although it may have to do with the different proteins found in skim.

Ice Cream

Dealing with a rash of acne breakouts lately? Your go-to pint of ice cream may be to blame. (Sorry, cookie dough!) "Sugars can cause inflammation in the skin," Hirsch says. And the not-so-sweet cherry on top? Ice cream contains dairy, too. So between the high sugar content and dairy, it may be time to cease those late-night freezer raids.

Potato Chips

Carbs, specifically those with a high glycemic index, cause inflammation, which can lead to breakouts, says Hirsch. In fact, when it comes to foods that cause acne, many dermatologists say high-GI foods are the biggest culprit. The next time you're hankering for a handful of potato chips, reach for some peanuts instead (they have a low glycemic index).

Chocolate

Break you off a piece of that Kit Kat bar—and you may just be asking for a breakout. Again, dairy and sugar are suggested culprits for skin woes, so the combination of the two could have you seeing spots for days.

Cookies

Most cookies are the trifecta of bad news for your skin, with sugar, refined carbohydrates, and dairy. Bye, chocolate chunk! We promise: You won't miss them when your acne starts to calm.

Edamame

It's delicious, overall pretty good for you—but it may be wreaking havoc on your skin. Foods high in soy contain phytoestrogens, which mimic natural hormones and potentially exacerbate skin flare-ups, Hirsch says.

Tofu

Which brings us to tofu. Here you were trying to be healthy swapping in tofu for a few meals (yay!). But tofu is made from soy, so it may be causing those bouts of acne to linger around for longer or get worse (no!).

Pizza

A slice of your favorite pie is loaded with high-GI carbohydrates. And all of that cheese means it has plenty of dairy, too. May we suggest veggie stir-fry for your next takeout order?

White Bread

Go wheat next time you order a sandwich. The high carb count in white bread is enough to get your hormones raging, which could make your acne worse, too. Trust us, your chicken club will taste just as good.