Plain and simple, acne can be a pain to deal with and sometimes even embarrassing. So this begs the question: how do you prevent acne breakouts in the first place? What causes these breakouts?

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While some trace breakouts back to poor hygiene, or too much hygiene, others believe there is a link between the foods we eat and our tendency to breakout. Although it has been difficult to prove, some experts claim that there is indeed a correlation between what we eat and how it affects our skin.

Here are some of the foods that are more likely to cause acne breakouts.

Refined and Processed Carbohydrates

Foods such as white bread and pasta have a high glycemic index, meaning that they foods can quickly be broken down into sugar, which is not good for the skin. Fast food - pizza, burgers, french fries, etc. - also fall into this group for all the processed carbs they contain. The alternative to these foods? Products that are made with whole grains. To ensure you’re getting what you need, look for products that list whole grain as their first ingredient and that do not list any types of corn syrups.

Dairy

After many studies, researchers have found a connections between milk, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and other milk products and acne breakouts. Since milk is usually produced by pregnant cows, there are many hormones that are passed down into the milk we drink, thus aggravating acne or triggering acne breakouts. But don’t worry, in this day and age, there are plenty of non-dairy alternatives such as soy milk, coconut yogurt, and almond cheese.

Chocolate

Although researchers are not sure why, there is a correlation between cacao chocolate and acne. However, chocolate only seems to make existing acne worse, instead of being the cause of new acne breakouts. Before you concern yourself with how on earth you’re going to resist your chocolate cravings, think about switching from milk chocolate to dark chocolate, as studies did not show any connection between dark chocolate and acne breakouts.

Essentially, yes, the foods you eat can cause acne or make existing breakouts worse. In a perfect world, you can eliminate all these foods and not worry about if what you are eating is going to result in a breakout. However, it is difficult to cut out certain food groups entirely. Focus on moderation when it comes to your diet and look for skincare products that can also help to eliminate the problem.