You might dislike hearing it, but your morning chai could be responsible for those painful pimples on your face. So grab your oat milk lattes and settle in because we’re about to spill the – almond – tea on the hidden link between milk and acne. While tea lovers need not break up with their favourite beverage, they should know about the hormones present in milk—from IGF-1 to prolactin and prostaglandins to steroids—that serve a plot twist no one asked for.
Let’s start with IGF-1, or Insulin-like Growth Factor 1. This hormone, when overproduced, can turn your face into a war zone of pimples.
IGF-1 increases during adolescence, when acne is usually at its peak. Thanks, puberty. And guess what? The hormones in milk can pump up IGF-1 levels even more, making your skin a breeding ground for acne.
According to a study by South Korean researchers, “clinical research has demonstrated a correlation between the severity of acne and IGF-1 levels in female acne patients.” So, if you’re sipping on that skimmed milk thinking you’re doing your skin a favour, think again.
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Role of lactose
Lactose intolerance is on the rise, and the gut issues it causes can lead to acne. Your stomach’s difficulty in breaking down lactose creates a bacterial imbalance in the digestive system. These bad bacteria can increase inflammation throughout your body, including your skin. More inflammation equals more acne, and suddenly, that glass of milk isn’t looking so innocent anymore.
Not all milk
Here’s where the plot thickens – not all milk is out to ruin your skin. Enter the heroes of our story: almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk. These plant-based alternatives don’t contain the same acne-triggering hormones as cow milk and might help avoid those dreaded breakouts altogether. So, if you’re still clinging to your dairy, maybe it’s time to switch to a more skin-friendly option.
Lactic acid: the double agent
Lactic acid is a total skincare hero. Found in milk, this gentle exfoliant is known to help fade post-acne marks and even out your skin tone. However, guzzling too much milk will increase the amounts of lactic acid in your gut and break you out. Your skin’s best friend won’t be it anymore.
Hormones and acne: A complicated love story
Hormones are like the disgruntled ex of the skincare world – they always find a way to mess things up. Milk is packed with androgens, hormones that are directly linked to acne. Testosterone, a well-known androgen, plays a starring role. It’s converted into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which ramps up oil production, clogging pores and leading to breakouts. And here’s the kicker: while testosterone is often labelled as a “male” hormone, everyone has it. So, no one’s safe from its acne-causing wrath.
Inflammation: The silent agitator
Let’s not forget inflammation, the silent agitator that makes acne even worse. Milk, especially when consumed in large quantities, can potentially contribute to inflammation in your body. A big contributor, apart from hormones and hard-to-digest lactose, is casein. Casein is the main protein in milk that can trigger an immune response in some and mess with both the gut and skin.
Inflammation is like throwing water in a pan of hot oil – it makes everything so much worse. If you’ve ever wondered why your breakouts seem redder, angrier, and more painful after that extra-large milkshake, now you know why.
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Should you ditch dairy?
So, should you ghost dairy for good? If your skin is staging a breakout rebellion, it might be a good time to consider doing so. Try cutting out dairy during an active breakout and see if your skin clears up faster.
For a more long-term approach, eliminate dairy for a few months to see if it makes a difference. Acne can be as unpredictable as a Netflix series, so it might take some time to notice the effects.
The relationship between milk and acne is like a complicated rom-com – full of ups, downs, and plenty of drama. For some, cutting out dairy might be the answer to clearer skin. For others, the connection might not be as strong. But one thing’s for sure: if conventional acne treatments aren’t working for you, it might be worth considering that your daily dairy habit is to blame.
As a dermatologist with 13+ years in the field, I’ve seen it firsthand – when people ditch milk, sugar, and all that greasy goodness during an acne flare-up, their skin clears up faster than a Game of Thrones binge.
Remember, your skin journey is uniquely yours, so experiment (after getting the green light from your trusted dermatologist, of course), observe, and find out what works best for you. And if all else fails, at least you’ll have some killer skincare knowledge to drop on your friends the next time someone asks, “Why is my skin freaking out?”
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)