Is milk causing your breakouts?
Studies suggest that milk drinkers develop more severe acne than non-milk drinkers.
Is There a Link?
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Those are associations, though, and not proof.
That went for milk with any fat content.
However, researchers said yogurt and cheese didn’t appear connected to acne at all.
So while the association seems clear, much remains to be learned about the link between dairy and acne.
A few different ideas about possible causes are in play.
Hormones
Some experts think the hormones in milk contribute to pimples.
Through a complicated chain reaction in your body, testosterone createsdihydrotestosterone(DHT).
IGF-1 Growth Factor
Many dairy farmers give their cows hormones to make them produce more milk.
One such hormone is the IGF-1 growth factor.
In the human body, IGF-1 peaks during adolescence, when acne is usually at its worst.
Experts believe IGF-1, along with testosterone and DHT, can trigger acne breakouts.
The processing of skim milk may explain why it is linked to acne severity more often than whole milk.
For that, you’ll need an acne medication.Over-the-counter skin productsmight work if your acne is mild.
However, most people get the best results fromprescription acne medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods cause acne?
No one knows for sure if any foods actually cause acne.
Some research shows that a low-glycemic-index diet lowers IGF-1 levels, which could explain why this diet is effective.
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