Skin and Hair
Does Dairy Cause Acne? What the Research Really Shows
Does cutting out dairy clear your skin? This is one of the most common skin questions. Some people swear their acne went away when they quit milk. Others notice no change. Here is a fair look at what we know.
What supporters say online
Many people online say that cutting dairy:
- Cleared up acne on their chin and jaw
- Made their skin less oily
- Reduced redness and puffiness
- Worked when creams did not
What research says
The American Academy of Dermatology says some studies link cow's milk to acne. This includes whole, low fat, and skim milk. In one large study, women who drank two or more glasses of skim milk a day as teens were more likely to have had acne. The AAD says no studies have found that yogurt or cheese leads to more breakouts.
A 2018 review of 14 studies with over 78,000 young people found that people who had more dairy, especially milk, were somewhat more likely to have acne. But the authors said to be careful, because the studies were very different from each other and showed signs of bias.
A 2022 review in a dermatology journal found that the link between dairy and acne is mixed and may depend on where you live and what else you eat. It found stronger proof that high sugar foods and refined carbs can make acne worse.
Most of these studies only show a link. They do not prove that dairy causes acne.
Positives of testing it
- Some people do improve. If milk is a trigger for you, cutting back may help.
- Easy to test. You can cut milk for a while and see what happens.
Negatives
- May not help. Many people see no change.
- Missing nutrients. Dairy gives calcium, protein, and vitamin D. If you cut it, get these from other foods.
- Food stress. Cutting many foods at once can make eating hard and does not tell you what helped.
A calm way to test
- Cut back on milk only, not every food at once
- Give it a couple of months, since acne changes slowly
- Keep your skincare the same so you know what made the difference
- Watch sugary drinks and snacks too
Bottom line
Milk may play a role in acne for some people, but it is not the main cause for everyone. If your acne is painful or leaves marks, cutting milk alone will not fix it. Real treatments do. Clear, calm skin shows in photos, and The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free.