What is the connection between dairy products and acne? Is there a link between drinking milk and developing bad skin problems? Whether mild or severe, Acne is an annoyance that strikes during the teen years for many people. The pimples that result aren’t just damaging to your appearance; they can also lead to scarring. While it’s true that diet does not cause acne, some research has suggested that certain foods may play a role in worsening breakouts. Among these are dairy products.
Milk is often said to be good for you because of its protein content. Some studies have shown milk to be beneficial against acne, while others have linked it with worsening breakouts.
One reason some researchers have hypothesized that milk may help fight acne is because of its calcium content. It appears that calcium is essential in fighting the hormone prolactin, which has been linked to acne breakouts. Researchers also believe that milk protein, called casein, acts as a mild exfoliant and removes dead skin cells from the surface of your face. Both these effects may improve your complexion.
In addition, when you remove dairy products from your diet, you reduce the amount of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in your body. IGF-1 stimulates oil production and can worsen acne problems, so avoiding dairy products might help lessen this effect by lowering IGF-1 levels in your blood.
On the flip side, some studies suggest that consuming dairy products during adolescence may increase acne and worsen breakouts. It is because IGF-1 levels in your body remain high when you finish a lot of dairy products. Another theory suggests that male hormones found in milk—both cows’ and humans’—may trigger acne outbreaks. Other studies have found that cow’s milk might contribute to the development of acne rosacea or sensitive skin types as well as eczema and psoriasis.
Hormones:
Milk contains the hormones estrogen, progesterone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and DHEA. While estrogen is helpful against acne in low levels, it can worsen skin problems if you have too much of it—and milk products are a common source of these hormones. A study found that drinking milk increases male hormone levels by 300 percent!
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1):
IGF-1 causes the skin to produce more sebum (oil). Too much oil aggravates acne. Milk, again, seems to cause a spike in this hormone. IGF-1 stimulates oil production, which triggers breakouts; when you remove dairy from your diet, you reduce IGF-1 levels in your blood.
Dairy acid:
The milk sugar lactose is broken down into galactose and glucose by an enzyme called beta-galactosidase. These two sugars are then broken down into hydrogen peroxide, which has been shown to trigger acne. The lactic acid in dairy causes inflammation and redness that aggravates existing acne or may cause new breakouts to form.
Casein:
Casein is a protein found in milk products. It acts as a mild exfoliant and removes dead skin cells from the surface of your face. Both these effects may improve your complexion, but casein can also worsen acne by irritating your skin and triggering a breakout. Casein is a protein that is listed in the ‘D’ section of the allergy list. Casein has been linked to acne-causing inflammation and breakouts.
The results from research on dairy products have been mixed. While some studies have shown that skim milk might worsen skin problems, others indicate that it may be beneficial against acne. Whole milk seems to be the worst offender, but research is also finding that low-fat dairy might not have any effect on your breakouts.
If you want to drink milk or eat yogurt or cheese, choose organic or raw dairy products whenever possible. This way, you avoid pesticides and hormones used in traditional dairy farming, which is linked to an increased risk of acne.
It’s worth it to go without if you find that dairy is causing your skin problems. This might be because of the hormones, the casein (a protein in milk), or the lactic acid (which can cause inflammation). If you eat out at restaurants regularly, ask your waiter if they use any dairy products in their sauce—the restaurant could use a different sauce instead.
If you think dairy is responsible for triggering your acne, try going without it entirely for a few weeks and see if your skin improves. It may take up to six months before you notice an effect from your dietary changes. In some cases, people with sensitive skin types cannot tolerate even low levels of milk in their diet.
 Most of the world’s population cannot properly digest lactose and the milk sugar it contains, making it a common cause of digestive problems. If you feel that your stomach is upset after drinking milk, try adjusting your diet. It might help to eliminate dairy for a few weeks and then reintroduce small amounts at a time until you find out which foods make you feel sick or uncomfortable.
There are many healthy alternatives to dairy.
This is a zero-cholesterol alternative that is high in protein and calcium. If you need to use lactose-free milk, soy milk can be a healthy choice. However, those with acne should avoid this as it can trigger breakouts if consumed more than twice per week. It has estrogen-like properties which stimulate acne.
Almond milk has many of the same properties as soy milk but without any estrogenic effect. This is another good choice for lactose-intolerant individuals looking to replace dairy in their diet with an alternative containing calcium and protein content. If you have acne, try limiting this type of milk to one serving per day. Also, make sure it’s not sweetened; otherwise, it will trigger your breakout.
You can use all kinds of nut or rice milk instead. If you are allergic to nuts, then coconut milk is an excellent option for you! It can be consumed in a variety of ways, from smoothies to cereal. Hemp milk also contains Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids, which you can add to your tea or juice for a healthy, quick breakfast. If you find that dairy irritates your stomach, try this combination instead.
To avoid hormones and pesticides, try buying organic or natural dairy products whenever possible. Ask your waiter if they use any dairy in their sauce when you are dining out.
If you have acne, these are the variants you can try and do not want to give up on milk. Otherwise, you can always switch to lactose-free milk.
Applying milk to treat your acne might seem like a good idea. Applying milk topically can treat acne because it contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that promotes gentle peeling of the skin and kills acne-causing bacteria. The milk used in this way does not contain high amounts of AHA, so it should not irritate your skin. Benefits of using milk externally to prevent acne:
Milk is also rich in vitamin E and B vitamins, which can help nourish your skin and reduce scarring caused by sun damage.
Milk is full of nutrients that are very beneficial for our skin. It’s high in vitamin A, B12, D, E, and K, fighting acne and making our skin healthy. It contains lactic acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells and reduces marks of aging. Milk also has antibacterial properties that help prevent breakouts caused by bacteria.
Homeopathy is an excellent safe & natural system of acne treatment; homeopathic medicines are also effective in preventing scar formation. Homeopathy treats the whole person by getting to the root cause of symptoms instead of suppressing them, while side effects are minimal or none.
Homeopathic treatment for acne helps in controlling the severity and further outbreaks of acne. It also reduces scar formation or hyperpigmentation, prevents ongoing damage to skin cells, and normalizes sebum production by controlling hormonal imbalances. It has minimal side effects, unlike other conventional system of medicine. Homeopathy treats acne from the inside out and helps strengthen the immune system, and regulates hormonal levels at the same time. Book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy to get quick relief from your acne.
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