While diet isn’t a direct cause of acne, it significantly influences its severity. Many acne treatments emphasize dietary changes alongside other interventions for this reason.
The impact of diet on acne varies between individuals due to differing metabolisms. Some people are more sensitive to certain foods, leading to a greater effect on their skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin often exhibits insulin resistance. Insulin, a hormone regulating carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, controls how cells utilize energy. It prompts the liver and fat cells to store glucose from the bloodstream as fat.
In insulin resistance, the body doesn’t respond effectively to normal insulin levels. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin to regulate blood glucose. However, if the body remains unresponsive, blood glucose levels can rise excessively.
Elevated insulin can cause high blood pressure, fluid retention, and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
For those with insulin resistance, consuming refined carbohydrates like white bread, sugar, and sugary foods can be problematic. These carbohydrates are rapidly digested, causing a quick surge of glucose into the bloodstream. In a healthy individual, insulin would quickly remove this excess glucose. But, with insulin resistance, the glucose lingers longer, leading to persistently high insulin levels.
This is particularly relevant for acne sufferers, especially women, because excess insulin can elevate androgen (male hormone) levels. Androgens are known to stimulate oil production in sebaceous glands, leading to clogged pores and a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
Studies link refined carbohydrate intake in teenagers to acne development. High blood sugar levels increase insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels, promoting excess androgen production, which, in turn, triggers acne.
Furthermore, IGF-1 encourages increased production of keratinocytes, a type of skin cell also implicated in acne development.