Acne vulgaris is an everyday cutaneous disorder that is associated with diet and metabolism, particularly glycemic content and dairy. They tend to influence hormones like insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and androgens, which influence acnegenesis.

High-quality evidence was searched in a study concerning the association of dietary glycemic and dairy intake with acnegenesis.

The results revealed:

• 410 articles, among which 34 passed the inclusion criteria.
• Mixed literature on the association of dairy product intake with acnegenesis, which may be conditional on sex, ethnicity and cultural dietary habits.
• A positive association between high glycemic index, increased daily glycemic load intake and acnegenesis, acne severity. This was backed by randomized controlled trials.

It was inferred that an high glycemic index, augmented glycemic load, and carbohydrate intake yields a modest yet influential proacnegenic effect. Increased dairy consumption may show proacnegenic effects in specific populations, like one that observes the Western diet. Diet may impact acnegenesis probably dependent on sex and ethnicity. These potential associations must be recognized further and backed by further randomized trials.

Source: Meixiong J, Ricco C, Vasavda C, et al. Diet and acne: a systematic review. JAAD Int. 2022;7:95-112.