Is This "Healthy" Food Secretly Ruining Your Skin?
An enlightening new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) gives us one more reason to cut dairy out of our lives completely. And we're not just talking about abundant cheese plates and ice cream. In contrast, when it comes to our skin, low-fat and nonfat dairy might be to blame.
The new study links skim milk with high incidences of acne in teens. In fact, the results show that teenage participants with acne consumed significantly higher quantities of low-fat and nonfat milk than those with clearer skin.
These findings don't exactly come as a shock to the skin health community. Earlier this year, nutritionist Brooke Alpert stated that when it comes to dairy, the worst offenders are "nonfat and low-fat versions." NYC dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Fenton of Schweiger Dermatology Group agrees, saying that the study "further supports the data that has been coming out over the last five years or so, showing a link between acne and dairy, specifically nonfat milk." Fenton says many have suspected the correlation may be due to the "hormonal impact of the nonfat dairy."
The study also shows that while nonfat dairy is associated with acne, full-fat versions are not. "This may be related to the higher rate at which nonfat milk gets metabolised, though it is unclear," says Fenton.
Might be worth ordering your latté with almond milk next time.
Shop Dairy Alternatives
Convinced to give up dairy for good? Don't miss our advice for how to live dairy-free.