Does diet really matter when it comes to adult acne?

When I was a teenager, the advice I got about acne was clear and consistent: Avoid oily foods and chocolate because they trigger breakouts and make existing acne worse Wash your face often Try a topical, over-the-counter remedy such as those containing benzoyl peroxide (Clearasil) or salicylic acid (Stridex). By the time I got to medical school, the message had changed. I learned that the diet-acne connection was considered a myth, and that what we eat has little to do with making acne better or worse. But a new study has once again turned the tables. It suggests that diet might contribute to acne — at least in adults. Why does acne develop? For many — including me — thinking about teenage acne is a painful exercise. But it’s worth understanding why acne develops in the first place. Acne is thought to develop because of a combination of factors: the production of too much oil in the skin, clogged skin pores, bacteria in the skin, and inflammation. Hormonal changes — which occur during puberty, or with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome — and the menstrual cycle can have a big impact on acne, because they affect oil production in the skin. Some medications can cause acne (especially steroids and lithium), and hair products, makeup, and other products we put on our skin can contribute to clogged pores. Genetic factors, pollution, smoking, and stress have also been suggested as causes or contributors to acne. And then there remains the possibility that di...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Healthy Eating Skin and Hair Care Source Type: blogs