At first thought, dairy is associated with healthy, strong bones. For some people, though, the idea of dairy (particularly milk) is also closely associated with concerns about acne. But how much do our eating and drinking habits impact our skin?
Dr. Cheri Frey, an assistant professor of dermatology at Howard University, said that “we wouldn’t question whether or not what we eat has an impact on our liver or our kidneys,” so why do we question if it impacts our skin?
“The skin is an organ, it’s the largest organ, so certainly [what we consume] has an impact,” she said.
In other words, that glass of milk may actually impact your complexion. Here, experts share the impact milk and dairy may have on your breakouts.
So, does milk make you break out?
The short answer is yes, but the extent is not totally known for a multitude of reasons.
“One of the issues we have with foods, in general, is that type of research is really hard to conduct on a population-wide scale,” Frey said. This is because everyone processes food differently.
And while data is limited, there are studies that show a correlation between drinking milk and acne breakouts.
But, don’t fret if you like to have the occasional glass of milk, according to Dr. Susan Massick, an associate professor of dermatology at the Ohio State University College of Medicine. “Consistent daily consumption of milk products may be more of a driving force,” she said.
The hormones in milk could be to blame.
According to Massick, the exact link between acne and milk is not 100% known. But some people believe, and some studies show, that the hormones in cow’s milk cause breakouts.
“The cow’s milk you consume may contain both naturally occurring hormones, such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and synthetic growth hormones used by some dairy farmers to increase milk production,” Massick said.
Frey added that most acne is hormonally driven (which is why acne starts around puberty), which deepens the potential connection between the hormones in milk and breakouts.
Not all dairy products are associated with breakouts, though.
For fans of dairy, this may all feel like bad news. But according to both Frey and Massick, there is some good news, too: Not all dairy causes acne.
“Of note, acne breakouts from dairy tend to involve mainly cow’s milk, while other dairy products, such as yogurt or cheese, are not correlated with increased breakouts,” Massick said.
One study noted that in the case of yogurt, this could be because of yogurt’s fermentation process. The study found that fermented dairy products have lower levels of the naturally occurring hormone IGF-1.
So, you can grab that yogurt and granola for breakfast without worrying about a pimple popping up.
Dairy is healthy and full of nutrients.
It’s worth noting that you also should not completely cut out milk just for the sake of your complexion.
“Dairy is an important source of calcium and vitamin D, and is crucial for bone health at any age,” Massick stated.
She added that for women, in particular, prioritising bone health is important for osteoporosis prevention.
Milk is also crucial for bone mass development in growing children and adolescents, according to WebMD.
But for those who don’t consume dairy, there are other ways to get as much, or almost as much, calcium.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, calcium-fortified almond and soy milk are also good options, along with dark leafy vegetables like collard greens, dried beans and calcium-fortified juice.
Cutting out dairy won’t be an acne cure-all.
Frey noted that she has not seen acne totally go away in anyone who has cut dairy from their diet. ”[Dairy] may be an aggravating factor, but it’s not a sole cause of acne,” she said.
Additionally, Frey noted that if you cut out dairy, you won’t see instant results. Instead, “it’s going to take, 6, 8 or 10 weeks for you to really see the effects of it.”
If you want a clearer complexion, there are other ways to achieve it that don’t involve cutting out milk, too.
“There are a multitude of acne treatments available, both topical and oral, [over-the-counter] and prescription,” Massick stated. She added that you should see a dermatologist to discuss treatment options.
While milk may be linked with breakouts for some, but not all, people, it’s still an important way to keep your bones strong. So, finding dairy alternatives to have in addition to milk is a good idea — and so is talking to your dermatologist about any skin concerns you have.