Does what you eat give you acne?

Do chocolate or fries give you pimples? The honest answer: diet plays a part for some people, but far less than often thought. Here is what the research shows, without myths.

Written by the 247dermatologist editorial team, medically reviewed by dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist

Reviewed on 30 July 2026± 3 min read

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What there is evidence for

Research finds a link between acne and food with a high glycaemic load: lots of sugar, white bread, soft drinks and other fast carbohydrates. Milk, remarkably mostly skimmed milk, is also linked to acne in some studies. Important: these are associations at group level, not proof that it works this way for everyone.

What there is no good evidence for

Chocolate and fatty food have never convincingly been shown to be a cause. Detox regimes and supplements do not cure acne; supplements only make sense with a proven deficiency.

What you can do with this in practice

A healthy eating pattern supports your skin, but is not a treatment. If you notice a clear pattern yourself, you can certainly try less sugar or milk for a while; give it at least several weeks before drawing conclusions. Strict dieting for your skin is never necessary.

Why food is never to blame

Hormones and genetic predisposition are the main causes of acne. What you eat can at most play a part. Feeling guilty about food does not help your skin; a good treatment does.

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Frequently asked questions

Does chocolate give me pimples?

There is no convincing evidence for that. If you keep noticing the same pattern yourself, you can leave it out for a while, but it does not hold as a general rule.

Should I stop drinking milk?

Not as standard advice. Only if you clearly notice a link yourself is cutting down worth trying. Dropping dairy without reason serves no purpose.

Do supplements help against acne?

Only with a proven deficiency. There is no good evidence for supplements as an acne treatment without one.

Sources

NVDV
NHG Practice Guideline Acne

Last revised on 30 July 2026

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