Unpacking The Acne Blame Game

Dairy, sugar, and gluten are often blamed for causing breakouts, but why do we love to shame acne sufferers for their dietary choices?

- KONIKA DATTA

‘You are what you eat’: A phrase we love using in conversations about skincare. Given basic science and biology, it’s not really that simple, though. The mindset that stems from such phrases reflects in the connection we see between our acne-prone skin and what we eat – and the two may not always align.

Individuals struggling with breakouts are no strangers to the vilification of dairy, sugar, and gluten in the skincare industry. Acne sufferers routinely receive unsolicited advice and criticism for their eating habits, making it harder to have a healthy relationship with food.

What these ‘concerned’ advice-givers don’t realise is that acne is a multi-factorial skincare condition, and factors such as hormones, genetics, and environment also play a role. So blaming one’s diet, or that one extra scoop of ice cream that you see someone indulge in, is factually incorrect.

WEB OF MISINFORMATION