Does Consuming Dairy Cause Acne? Find out

Acne is caused when pores on your face are clogged with sebum oil and dead skin cells leading to unwanted breakouts. Most people relate acne with teenage hormonal changes, but the truth is that severe acne can be caused by various other reasons as well. One such reason is the consumption of milk daily which raises the question: does milk cause acne?

Does Drinking Milk Cause Acne?

Yes, certain studies done by organisations such as The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology have shown that consuming dairy products can cause acne, especially drinking milk daily. Milk causes acne by triggering certain hormones in the body which increase the risk of breakouts on your face. To understand how does drinking milk cause acne, we need to look at the following possibilities.

Modern farm cows are injected with certain growth hormones to increase their milk supply throughout the year. The growth hormone increases the content of IGF1, also known as Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 in the milk that is produced by these cows. When you consume this milk, the level of Insulin along with IGF1 increases in your bloodstream leading to excess production of sebum oil. The sebum oil combined with the dead skin cells on the face leads to an increase in acne.

Another possibility that answers the question, does cow milk cause acne is that the lactose present in the milk can lead to breakouts. As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 68% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant which can lead to lactose sensitivity, thus establishing the relationship between milk and acne. It is also found in studies that people who consume fat-free milk, such as skimmed milk are more likely to get acne.

Possible Treatment for Skin Breakout

Now that you know the answer to the question, does milk cause acne, it is also important to know how to treat the breakouts. You can follow the below-mentioned tips to soothe the breakouts on your skin.

Cut out Dairy:

Once you have known the answer to the question, does dairy products cause acne, it is time to cut out milk from your diet or at least consume dairy products in moderation. You can also use plant-based substitutes such as almond milk, cashew milk, or soy milk.

Don’t Pop the Zit:

The most instinctive reaction when you get a pimple on your face is to pop it. This will only increase the bacteria content in the pores and possibly spread it around the face. If drinking milk causes pimples on your face, treat them with the right method instead of popping them with your fingers.

Don’t Use Heavy Beauty Products:

When you are experiencing a breakout, avoid using oil-based beauty products on your skin. Instead, use gel-based and oil-free beauty products on your skin that will be less irritating on the breakout zones.

Try an Effective Acne Treatment:

If all the natural and DIY remedies don’t work, get a reliable and effective acne treatment to reduce the effects of acne. You can select the acne treatment by makeO skin (formely skinnsi) to heal and prevent further breakouts on your skin. We provide customised treatments with the use of clinically proven ingredients which are performed by dermatologist-certified therapists.

Other Factors Causing Acne

Apart from milk, there are other factors leading to acne and breakouts on your skin. You need to consider these factors as well to protect your skin from the possible effects of acne.

• Stress is the main factor to consider as increased stress levels are linked to persistent acne on your face.

• Regularly consuming processed foods with high levels of sugar which include cakes, candies, cookies, pastries, soft drinks, etc.

• Hormonal changes occurring during puberty, before and after a menstrual cycle, and during pregnancy can also lead to acne.

• Certain beauty products with heavy chemical ingredients can cause allergies leading to acne on your face.

The relationship between dairy and acne has become evident after various studies and if someone asks you, can milk cause acne, you can answer by saying, yes, it does! However, you need to find out for yourself with experimentation whether the breakouts on your skin occur only when you consume milk. You can either cut out milk from your diet or carry out the necessary precautions and care to safeguard your skin for a healthy life.