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Baldwin, H., & Tan, J. (2021). Effects of Diet on Acne and Its Response to Treatment. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 22(1), 55–65.
Most youth are familiar with acne, oil-clogged hair follicles that often run rampant among youth. In fact, the American Association of Dermatology reported that around 85% of Americans between the ages of 12 and 24 will develop some form of acne. Yet worldwide, it was approximated that only around 9.4% of people have acne. The increase in acne proliferation during adolescence is a result of 4 central factors: the excess production of an oily substance called sebum, the growth of acne-causing bacteria, an abnormal increase in keratin (the protein that forms the structural basis of skin) and inflammation, where your body reacts to stimuli that may be irritating your skin. Although these 4 causes can also be prevalent during adulthood, they are more common in youth due to the array of hormonal changes that occur during puberty.
Currently, acne treatment involves over-the-counter drugs that can be found online or in pharmacy stores. Though, it isn’t uncommon for people to visit dermatologists for acne prescriptions, which are typically a type of retinol, or vitamin A. Retinols are commonly used for acne treatment due to their ability to quickly increase the rate at which skin cells replace one another and promote skin protein production. Other potential acne-treating substances include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and niacinamide, all three of which offer unique advantages of skin care. For example, benzoyl peroxide is capable of releasing oxygen molecules upon skin contact, killing bacteria, while niacinamide can reduce moisture and prevent the deficiency of crucial vitamins such as B3.
Despite the vast array of skincare products available, it is difficult for people to find the right treatments that work for them. Because everyone’s skin is built upon unique factors such as genetics and environmental conditions, there is a large amount of skin variability. Thus, other potential paths should be considered. One of these approaches is a diet, where specific changes in the food that you intake may help with skin health. This article will discuss the impacts of dairy, fatty acids, and probiotics on acne.
Dairy, a staple component of many diets, was discovered to have a positive association with acne during the early 2000s. This is likely due to the makeup of dairy products such as milk, which contain proteins that can increase the levels of certain growth hormones that spur on acne aggravation. One 3 year study on teenagers found that girls displayed a stronger correlation between acne and milk compared to the correlation found in boys. It should be noted that this study also observed no correlation in both sexes between acne development and the consumption of non-milk dairy products such as cheese and ice cream. In a different study that examined milk intake and the effectiveness of acne products, the researchers discovered that drinking milk made the products less effective, and discontinuing milk consumption led to faster treatment.
Essential fatty acids are fats that the body needs for basic functions. One fatty acid is Omega 3, which has been shown to decrease acne-causing growth hormone levels. Another experiment proved that Omega 3 could inhibit the production of a specific chemical that leads to skin inflammation. A 10-week trial study noticed that the addition of an Omega 3 supplement could reduce inflammatory acne lesions.
The human gut contains a microbiome of various bacteria that are beneficial for assisting digestion and in maintaining a healthy immune system. Recent research has proven that taking probiotics, dietary supplements of live microorganisms, can assist in skin health. Certain products produced by gut flora can slow acne pathogenesis. A study where participants took fatty acids and probiotics discovered that the levels of anti-inflammatory biochemicals in the blood increased. A different project indicated that probiotics over a 12 week period could result in drastic improvements in skin condition and acne.
In order to achieve clearer skin, one must consider changing other aspects of their routine. Although skincare products are promising, many factors are at play. By simply adding a supplement such as Omega 3 into your routine, it is possible that your skin will become clearer faster.
Works Cited:
Skin conditions by the numbers. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers#:~:text=Acne%20is%20the%20most%20common,to%2050%20million%20Americans%20annually.&text=Acne%20usually%20begins%20in%20puberty,experience%20at%20least%20minor%20acne.
Karoglan, A., & Gollnick, H. P. M. (2021). Akne [Acne]. Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete, 72(9), 815–827. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00105-021-04856-8
Polcz, M. E., & Barbul, A. (2019). The Role of Vitamin A in Wound Healing. Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 34(5), 695–700. https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10376
Dréno, B., Layton, A. M., Troielli, P., Rocha, M., & Chavda, R. (2022). Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel 0.3%/2.5% for acne vulgaris. Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel 0.3%/2.5% for acne vulgaris. European journal of dermatology : EJD, 32(4), 445–450. https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2022.4275
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