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Review
. 2021 Jan;22(1):55-65.
doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00542-y.

Effects of Diet on Acne and Its Response to Treatment

Hilary Baldwin  1   2 , Jerry Tan  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Diet on Acne and Its Response to Treatment

Hilary Baldwin et al. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021 Jan.

Erratum in

Abstract

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris is still evolving. It is known that multiple factors impact acne pathophysiology, including genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, and environmental influences. Because of its implications in many of these factors, diet has been a part of the acne discussion for decades. Several studies have evaluated the significance of the glycemic index of various foods and glycemic load in patients with acne, demonstrating individuals with acne who consume diets with a low glycemic load have reduced acne lesions compared with individuals on high glycemic load diets. Dairy has also been a focus of study regarding dietary influences on acne; whey proteins responsible for the insulinotropic effects of milk may contribute more to acne development than the actual fat or dairy content. Other studies have examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acid and γ-linoleic acid consumption in individuals with acne, showing individuals with acne benefit from diets consisting of fish and healthy oils, thereby increasing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intake. Recent research into the effects of probiotic administration in individuals with acne present promising results; further study of the effects of probiotics on acne is needed to support the findings of these early studies. In this review, we discuss the current evidence regarding the diets of US patients with acne and how they may impact acne and acne treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Jerry Tan has been an advisor, consultant, speaker, and/or investigator for Bausch Health, Boots/Walgreens, Cipher, Galderma, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., and he is on the medical advisory board of the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada. Hilary Baldwin has been an advisor, consultant, speaker, and/or investigator for Almirall, Bio-PharmX, Botanix, Dermira, EPI Health, Foamix, Galderma, La Roche-Posay, Johnson & Johnson, Mayne, Ortho-Dermatologics, Sol-Gel, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Dietary impact on mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Dashed lines represent associations under discussion in this review. FoxO1 forkhead box class O transcription factor 1, GI glycemic index, GL glycemic load, IGF-1 insulin-like growth factor-1
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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