Caffeine and Acne: Is There a Connection?

When considering the best foods for a healthy skin diet or acne diet, the topic of caffeine often arises. Does caffeine cause acne breakouts? The research doesn’t point to a simple yes or no answer, despite the commonly held assumption that caffeine is linked to acne. However, it’s true that your caffeine intake can work against finding an effective acne treatment. What’s the truth about caffeine and acne? Here are the facts you need to know.

Don’t Trust All the Research Studies on Caffeine and Acne
First, some of the research studies that linked caffeine and acne were done decades ago. If you come across these studies, you should know that current research considers them to be problematic because the studies were based on chocolate bars that actually used imitation chocolate and no real milk products. While cow’s milk and a high glycemic index are considered to be factors that contribute to acne breakouts, the role of caffeine in facial acne or back acne breakouts is not as clear.

Cow’s Milk and a High Glycemic Index Can Cause Acne?
Yes! Separate from the issue of caffeine and acne, if you’re looking to minimize foods that aren’t part of a healthy acne diet, reduce foods that are digested quickly and release a high amount of glucose into the bloodstream, such as baked potatoes and refined carbohydrates. When your blood sugar increases, so does your insulin level, and a growth hormone called IGF-1 is produced. That growth hormone has been linked to acne breakouts. Additionally, cow’s milk has been linked to acne breakouts due to the presence of hormones.

Caffeine Contributes to Acne Breakouts
To be clear, there’s been no definitive research linking caffeine and acne breakouts. However, caffeine can cause some biological reactions and lifestyle situations that work against the results desired from your favorite acne products. Caffeine can result in anxiety and stress. When your body experiences stress, the adrenal gland goes into action and produces androgens. Androgens are linked to the overproduction of skin cells that lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. The adrenal gland can also release cortisol which triggers sweat glands to produce oil, creating a rich environment for acne-causing bacteria. Finally, getting enough sleep is important to your overall health and the health of your skin. An overabundance of caffeine can alter and reduce sleep patterns, resulting in unhealthy skin and acne breakouts.

What’s the important thing to remember? Caffeine may not directly cause acne; however, too much caffeine in your diet can contribute to biological and lifestyle patterns that may lead to unhealthy skin and acne breakouts. It’s wise to consume caffeine in moderation for clear, healthy skin.

Learn more about Murad’s most effective acne treatments, including Acne Complex® and products to treat back acne, post-acne marks and oily skin.