Diet and acne: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nutrition Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin condition.
• Dietary factors, including glycemic load and dairy consumption, influence hormones implicated in acne development.
• Hormones such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and androgens play a role in acnegenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review high-quality evidence on the association between dietary glycemic and dairy intake and acne.
• To synthesize current research on the impact of diet on acnegenesis.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE was conducted for English-language papers.
• The search covered studies examining the association between diet and acne without timeline restrictions.
• Evidence quality was assessed using the Ottawa quality assessment scale.

Main Results:

• 34 articles met inclusion criteria from 410 initially identified.
• High glycemic index and glycemic load intake showed a positive association with acnegenesis and severity.
• The association between dairy intake and acne was mixed, potentially influenced by sex, ethnicity, and dietary habits.

Conclusions:

• High glycemic index, glycemic load, and carbohydrate intake have a modest but significant proacnegenic effect.
• Increased dairy consumption may be proacnegenic in specific populations, especially those with Western dietary patterns.
• The influence of diet on acne is likely sex- and ethnicity-dependent, necessitating further randomized trials.