Does Sugar Cause Acne?

Are you wondering, “Does sugar cause acne?” Well if you are, then you have found yourself amidst a debatable discussion between nutritionists all over the world. Sugar is a hyper-glycemic food and high-glycemic diets can increase insulin levels, potentially impacting acne formation. While genes, hormones, and skincare habit all play a role in acne formation, high insulin level can trigger your sweat glands & cause acne production. Read on to know more.

What Sugar Does To Your Skin?

Skin is the largest organ of your body and sugar is probably its worst enemy. Sugar is known to cause inflammation under the skin, enabling production of acne. Furthermore, sugar can cause early ageing of your skin, making it appear loose and saggy.

Studies have found that excess sugar in your diet can make your skin more prone to breakouts. Sugar may also enhance some growth factors that raise testosterone levels, which is linked to increased oil production. Any food with the main ingredient as sugar has a high GI (glycemic index). Once eaten, they quickly turn into glucose and cause your body’s insulin levels to rise rapidly. People who eat sugar are often more likely to get recurring acne throughout life.

Diet Tips To Get Rid Of Sugar Induced Acne

There’s a strong connection between the foods you eat and your skin’s health. While, sugar by itself does not cause acne, but eating foods with high sugar causes your insulin levels to rise resulting in acne formation.

Here are some tips to control acne through diet:

1. Eat foods with a lower GI such as vegetables, or foods with natural sweetness like fruit.

2. Drink more water

3. Drink green tea or lemon water as a replacement to sweets. Your skin will soon start showing your efforts in sugar reduction. 

4. Avoid munching on salty afternoon snacks like potato chips because the simple carbohydrates in them also cause the insulin rise and inflammation that sugar does. Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables instead.

5. Shift your sugar intake during mornings rather than evenings. Because of the change in your metabolic activities, sweets have real harmful effects during the night than the day.

6. Balance sweets with foods rich in fibres such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, peas, beans pulses etc. Fibres help in sugar control and restrict the ill-effects it has on the skin.