Acne vulgaris, a common cutaneous disorder, is often triggered by diet and metabolism, specifically glycemic content and dairy, which influence hormones like insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and androgens.

Hence, Meixiong et al systematically studied high-quality evidence analyzing the association of dietary glycemic and dairy consumption with acnegenesis.

They conducted a comprehensive literature search, without timeline restriction, of MEDLINE that investigated the association between diet and acne. They assessed the evidence quality using the Ottawa quality assessment scale.

They sorted 410 articles, of which 34 articles met the inclusion criteria. The researchers found mixed literature on whether dairy product intake is associated with acnegenesis and may depend on sex, ethnicity and cultural dietary habits. They also found a positive relationship between high glycemic index and augmented daily glycemic load consumption with acnegenesis and acne severity, which was supported by randomized controlled trials.

This study shows that high glycemic index, augmented glycemic load and carbohydrate consumption yield a modest yet significant proacnegenic effect. Raised dairy intake may have proacnegenic effects in special populations, like those with a Western diet. The impact of diet on acnegenesis may depend on sex and ethnicity. Further randomized trials must more clearly characterize the potential associations.

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