Myth or Truth: Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

13 Wonderful Reasons Why You Should Be Using Lemon in Your Beauty Routine

There’s actually no arguing how hard it is to resist chocolates. Whether you’re having a bad day or you just can’t oppose your sweet tooth, eating chocolates makes you feel good.

However, no matter how satisfying chocolates are, they may not be as good as you think they are. Tons of people believe they can make you break out.

Because this can spell bad news for most of us, we’ve taken time to know if chocolate does cause acne.

You’ll be surprised to learn the truth behind this myth.

What do experts say?

​According to dermatologists, “Chocolate per se will not make you break out”. Although this might sound like a relief, there’s actually a lot more to it.

While there is little evidence that specific foods, such as chocolate, cause acne, experts suggest that high sugar and a high-fat diet, in general, heighten sebum production. In effect, it promotes an inflammatory response that leads to acne.

There might be little to no direct correlation about chocolate causing acne, but as acne sufferers, we may still need to be wary of consuming excessive amounts of chocolates.

Dark, milk, white...does it make a difference?

Myth or Truth: Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

​There are several kinds of chocolates. Other than texture and taste, certain types may actually hold great benefits for the skin.

For most people, consuming dairy products and an excessive amount of sugar triggers hormonal changes and breakouts. If you are one of these people, skipping milk and white chocolate is highly recommended.

If eating chocolate is inevitable, then dark chocolate is a safer and healthier option for you. Aside from that it contains less sugar, it also has high cocoa content.​

Cocoa is an antioxidant that holds tons of benefits for both the cardiovascular system and the skin.

It protects the body against free radicals and their damaging effects.

Chocolate is indispensable for most of us. With tons of brands and even flavors, it’s no wonder why they can be hard to resist.

There are people who eat a lot of chocolate without breaking out or triggering intolerance. Some experience acne after eating a couple of servings.

This idea suggests that knowing and listening to your body is quite important. If eating a truffle each day won’t make you worry about acne, it still might not be a wise idea to consume a large portion in a single sitting.​

If it isn’t true, then why do so many people believe it?

When something is widespread, most people consider them a fact right away. The same holds true with chocolates causing acne.

Myth or Truth: Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

One of the most probable reasons why this myth has spread involves women and their monthly cycle. During a woman’s menstrual period, their hormone levels are typically high.

These fluctuation in hormones lead to two things. They crave for certain types of foods and they trigger breakouts.

Because of this, the correlation between eating chocolate and its effect on acne has been unknowingly established. What most people aren’t aware of is that the poor food choices and the unstable hormones during the menstrual cycle are what lead to acne formation.​

What other foods might cause acne?

Because there are a growing number of unhealthy and processed food, they are starting to get a really bad reputation for causing acne. On the contrary, however, foods, on their own, do not directly cause acne.

Although your diet may play a role in acne and breakouts, your genes can also trigger them. This means that even though you eat a fairly healthy diet, you can still be prone to breakouts because you are genetically predisposed.

For example, if you frequently breakout, other than cutting out unhealthy food from your diet, you may also want to check what your skin type is.

Oily skin tends to break out more because there’s excessive sebum production. When not addressed properly, it could lead to clogged pores and severe acne formation.

To prevent acne, you may also want to stay away from eating too much fatty food. Sodas, which generally have high sugar content, should be out of your list, too.

How can I treat my acne with the right foods?

​To get rid of acne, it’s wise to treat your skin from the inside out. Aside from taking time to really learn the products you put on your skin, you should also invest more effort into knowing what goes inside your body.

As much as possible, consume a good balance of vitamins and minerals. Staying hydrated at all times can also help you achieve clear and glowing skin.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Making sure it stays healthy can help assure you that your body is also in its best state possible.

Beauty Myth or Truth?

Our verdict: BEAUTY MYTH!

Chocolate, on its own, doesn’t cause acne. Instead, its high sugar and fat content are what trigger your breakouts.

Chocolates, as a matter of fact, aren’t entirely bad. Dark chocolates, for example, offer a handful of health benefits.

In treating acne, make it a point to consider your own skin. Tracking your monthly cycle as well as your food intake can help you get a clearer idea of what types of food cause you to breakout.

Changing your diet as well as its effects can’t yield visible results overnight. You may need to give it, at least, several weeks to allow the effects of your previous diet to fade.

Now, for a complete list of the most common causes of acne, you can check this article.

Did you believe in the chocolate myth? What other beauty myths would you like us to investigate?

Sources

http://www.dukemedicine.org/blog/myth-or-fact-eating-chocolate-causes-acne
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21967574
http://www.exposedskincare.com/acne-treatment-faq/does-chocolate-cause-acne.html

Myth or Truth: Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

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