OMG! Does Chocolate Really Cause Acne?
Sarah Bellum Says:
Damn, I hate science sometimes.
Contrary to the old wives’ tales that say chocolate is bad for skin, I’ve chosen to believe the prevailing scientific evidence that says diet does NOT contribute to acne. (See our candy post from last Valentines Day). But now a new study says that those old wives may know best after all.
Australian acne study
NPR reports on an Australian research study that evaluated 54 acne patients, ranging in age from 15 to 25. Half of the patients were given a low blood sugar diet while the other half were allowed to feast on Doritos and M&Ms (and other starchy, sugary foods). After 12 weeks, dermatologists evaluated the skin of all the panelists with out knowing which diet they were on (so it was a well blinded study.) Guess what? The patients on the sugary diet had significantly worse skin.
Final proof?
This certainly contradicts what previous studies have shown. So is this proof beyond a shadow of doubt that sugar causes acne? Not quite, the report acknowledged that while this study strongly suggests a causal connection between sugar intake and acne there are other factors to consider as well. For example, the patients overall caloric intake and degree of weight loss were not the same. So there may have been other factors at play here beyond sheer sugar consumption. Still, it makes me think twice before gorging myself on my post-holiday stash of Lake Champlain gourmet chocolates.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Looks like more research is needed. I hope they hurry up and settle this before Valentines Day!
What do YOU think? Does your skin break out when you indulge your inner chocolate demons? Leave a comment and share your sweetness with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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tlk Says:
I have 2 have chocolate at least once a day or someone will die - lol. What triggers my breakouts seems 2 be stress and not taking my makeup off at night more than anything I eat.
Courtney Says:
This is not news to me. I found great success with a diet high in Omega 3’s and moderate in sugar for my adult acne, which I first read about in one of Dr. Perricone’s books. I recommended it to my sister, who has the same problem, and she noticed a difference, too.
I’m not paid by Dr. Perricone, FYI. I still get a breakout here and there from hormones or stress, too, so it’s not perfect.
kage Says:
i generally don’t like chocolate, it makes me feel ill so i tend to avoid it. but recently i was given a box of chocolates and to be nice i have been eating them… maybe it’s just a coincidence but i’m having one of the worst break outs of my life.
i’ve been washing my face as usual, i never leave my make up on too long.
amominred Says:
Confession: I eat too much sugar! But I don’t find that I breakout from it. However, the cheap chocolate can definitely cause a breakout. I typically don’t eat a lot of chocolate but when it is around during the holidays I will and I do notice more breakouts. ick. Also, cheap chocolate triggers migraines so I have to stick to the good stuff…oh darn!
ProductivityGoal Says:
Chocolate does not cause acne but a bad diet can however cause acne
Chocolate can either be a part of a healthy diet or an unhealthy diet it all depends on you and the quantities of fatty/oily foods.
I washed my face and body every day with dial antibacterial soap. I was careful not to use a face cloth or rag on my face. I started using my hands to spread the soap and rinse my face and stopped using a rag on it. I started using a moisturizer at night to prevent the anti-bacterial soap I was using from drying my skin out. I stopped drinking soda pop and added more water to my diet (6 to 8 glasses a day).
Lauri Says:
Like you said in the article, the sugar and starch led to the breakouts, not chocolate. I eat a low sugar, low carb diet, yet consume 85% cocoa bars regularly, at least one a week, and it doesn’t affect my skin. But before, when I consumed milk chocolate without the starches, my skin wasn’t affected.
ava Says:
Why bash chocolate? a little dark chocolate here and there won’t hurt. The people with bad skin ate refined, processed foods loaded with extra sugar and corn syrup.
Amanda Says:
No, chocolate doesn’t make my face break out. But touching my face - ie transferring dirt - certainly does!
Kilkerran Says:
Well, for one thing I’ve been on sugar and carbs all my life and it hadn’t been affecting me until recently. My sisters basically live on sugar and starch but it doesn’t affect neither of them. Why am I the only one that breaks out crazy? I started changing my diet, eating fruits and vegetables, cut down meat a little bit, been restricting myself from chocolate and been drinking water everyday. What’s wrong?
Left Brain Says:
@Kilkerran. If you had been on sugar and carbs all your life, why would you conclude that it is what is making you break out now? It’s more likely some other factor. Your best bet is to see a dermatologist. They’ll be able to tell better than anyone else.
good luck.
Mousumi Says:
Chocolate is the best thing in dee world. I really don’t think it is the cause for acne. I guess it just has an effect when not eating properly or something. That is what I say. Chocolate is just too sweet to be bad.