You may have heard that coffee isn't great for acne, but you may not ever been told why. Licensed Master Esthetician, Jordyn Cicon shares with us five reasons why coffee may not be the best option if you're dealing with acne or have acne-prone skin.
1. Caffeine - If you consume caffeine on a semi-regular basis, it increases androgen production and causes your adrenals to artificially react. Androgens cause our bodies to experience stress, which is directly linked to the overproduction of skin cells and clogged pores, as well as the release of the stress hormone cortisol.
2. Mycotoxins from mold - Probably one of the most concerning facts about coffee is that it contains toxins known as mycotoxin formed from mold that grows on the coffee crops before and after harvesting. Molds most commonly grow on coffee plants grown in lower altitudes with hot, humid climates. Mycotoxins are terrible for acne and for your overall health.
3. Gut Dysbiosis - When your gut is healthy and functioning normally, the good bacteria effectively do their job and overpower the bad bacteria. This is referred to as gut symbiosis. However, when bad bacteria begin to outgrow these good bacteria, the gut resorts to an unhealthy or dysbiotic state. The microbiome can grow imbalanced by antibiotic use, physiological and psychological stress, autoimmune disorders and other diseases. As coffee is highly acidic, it can lead to disruptions in the gut flora, eventually causing dysbiosis.
4. Sugar - Diets high in sugar increases the amount of insulin released by the body. What follows the release of insulin is an increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a hormone known to play a role in the development of acne.
5. Milk - In one study noted by the AAD10, with a total of 47,355 women, 6,094 girls, and 4,273 boys, a strong link between cow's milk and acne was demonstrated. The AAD notes a theory that hormones in the milk may lead to inflammation in the body, which, as stated above, puts one at a higher risk for breakouts. Milk consumption has also been linked to an increase in IGF-1 Levels11, which stimulates oil glands to produce more sebum. This has the downstream effect of more acne.