Chances are, you know some common symptoms of food allergies—hives, swelling, trouble breathing. But did you know that a food allergy could also cause acne?
If you take good care of your skin but still can’t figure out the cause of chronic acne breakouts, food allergies could be the culprit.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss signs of allergy-borne acne, tips on avoiding breakouts, and how to achieve clearer skin. Plus, we’ll hear from the founders of CLEARSTEM, Danielle and Kayleigh, with expert insight on pimples from food allergies.
Together, let’s achieve a life without food allergy acne.
Can Pimples Come From Food Allergies?
Research shows that food allergies are a definite risk factor for acne. From pesky pimples to cystic breakouts, irritated skin can be your body’s physical rejection of a food allergy.
According to CLEARSTEM founders Danielle and Kayleigh, it is “complete nonsense” that diet and nutrition have nothing to do with acne—even though typical Western medicine would have you believe the opposite. Most doctors focus only on contraindications (or advising against), saying, “not eating for health, and absolutely not eating with regard to gut health or acne.”
Identifying Common Food Allergens That Can Cause Breakouts
In scientific terms, a food allergy is an immune system reaction. Any food that triggers this response in your body can be an allergen. So, which ingredients can cause acne breakouts?
Studies show that the most common food allergens associated with acne are:
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Barley and whole oats
- Cow milk protein
- Beef
An allergy test will reveal the foods you are allergic or intolerant to.
How Food Allergies Trigger Pimples and Acne
Skin can be irritated by any number of external factors, but what you put inside your body is just as important as what goes on the outside. This is why your diet, and specifically food allergies, can play a large role in breakouts.
So, how exactly can food allergies cause pimples? It comes down to something researchers are now calling the gut-brain-skin axis. Basically, your stomach microbes influence the pathogenic process of acne, and different microbial levels will result in varying severities of breakouts. Since food allergies cause poor gut health and inflammation (whether you feel it or not), the gut-skin pipeline triggers acne.
The gut-brain-skin axis highlights the link between gut health and acne, and especially how the gut microbiome is a major determinant of healthy skin. “Most people have some sort of digestive issue, whether they’re not breaking down fats properly, or they don’t have the enzymes to break down protein, or we all eat way too fast,” say CLEARSTEM founders Danielle and Kayleigh. Similarly, food allergies that disrupt your gut microbes can be a direct cause of an acne breakout. That’s why if you struggle with skin issues, you should be following an anti-acne diet.
Symptoms and Signs of Food Allergies
Food allergies are increasingly common, affecting up to 4% of adults. Not to be confused with a food intolerance (such as lactose or gluten intolerance), a food allergy triggers an immune system response. While a food intolerance can have similar symptoms, it does not involve the immune system. However, it’s important to note that intolerances from lactose or gluten can cause acne as well.
Common signs of a food allergy include:
- Itchiness or tingling
- Wheezing or other trouble breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Anaphylaxis
Even if symptoms don’t manifest in your gut, that doesn’t mean it’s not affected—the food is, after all, going to your stomach.
Types of Skin Reactions Caused by Food Allergies
It is also common for food allergies to trigger skin irritation, such as hives, eczema, and swelling. Throw the gut-brain-skin axis into the mix, and you’ve got the recipe for an acne breakout.
Food allergies can lead to a number of skin reactions:
- Cystic acne
- Pimples
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
Skin sensitivity looks different for everyone, and sometimes, not every breakout can be traced back to your diet.
How to Know if My Pimples Are Caused by Food Allergies
Acne forms for many reasons, including blocked pores, oil buildup, and inflammation. Some people have particular food sensitivities, and just because certain foods make you break out doesn’t mean you are allergic to them.
So, how can you know that a food allergy is to blame?
The first step is to remove all comedogenic products from your daily routine. Next, take an allergy test to be 100% sure of all allergens. Finally, sign up for functional lab testing from CLEARSTEM. Our lab tests were developed with expert acne specialists to use blood work results to identify the underlying factors causing your acne. This personalized approach helps you determine nutritious foods that don’t promote acne.
Until these specialized acne lab tests, it was largely inaccessible to get acne blood work testing. “Lab reports and looking at digestion, nutrients, gut health—all of that gets ignored in typical blood work, especially in an acne context,” say CLEARSTEM founders Danielle and Kayleigh. Our lab testing was created to remove barriers to healthy skin, allowing you to make more empowered decisions about your skincare.
Strategies for Avoiding Bad Breakouts
Clear skin starts from within. Even if you eat healthy, your body may simply not react well to some foods, throwing your gut biome out of whack and provoking a breakout. When struggling with food-related acne, here are some ways to set your skin up for success.
Adopting an Elimination Diet to Identify Trigger Foods
An elimination diet is a useful, at-home way to identify foods you are allergic, intolerant, or sensitive to. Over the course of several weeks, you will remove certain foods from your diet to see how your body reacts. Then, reintroduce each potential trigger food one by one (every couple of days per ingredient) to see if any food allergy symptoms return. At the end of the elimination process, you will have a better idea of your intolerances and how food allergies influence your acne.
Keep in mind that this is not a long-term solution. An elimination diet should last no more than a month, as it could lead to nutrient deficiency—not good for your health or breakouts. If the elimination diet didn’t yield the results you were hoping for, consult with an allergy specialist or healthcare professional.
Incorporating Skin-Soothing Ingredients in Skincare Routine
When dealing with chronic acne, your skin will need some extra love. Use products with gentle ingredients that help minimize inflammation, such as:
- Aloe vera
- Green tea
- Hyaluronic acid
- Glycerin
Check out our Sensitive Skin collection for cleansers, serums, and more to promote glowing skin without any irritation or dryness.
Tips for Managing Food Allergy-Related Pimples
Now that you know the impact that food allergies can have on breakouts, it’s time to revamp your skincare regimen. Luckily, CLEARSTEM is here to help.
Gentle Cleansing Techniques for Sensitive Skin
If your skin is prone to irritation, the last thing you want to do is cause inflammation by scrubbing too harshly. For sensitive skin, here is the cleansing routine to follow:
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Splash your face with lukewarm water. Make sure it’s not hot, as heat damages and kills skin cells.
- A little goes a long way—lather up just a quarter-sized amount into your palms. Use GENTLECLEAN, a daily cleanser and makeup remover all in one calming wash.
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Gently cleanse your face with circular motions for 30-60 seconds.
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Take deep breaths and let the day melt away—it won’t clear your acne, but your mental health will thank you!
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Rinse with lukewarm water.
- If you were wearing makeup, repeat these steps.
And voilà! One step closer to clear skin.
Using Non-Comedogenic Products to Prevent Clogged Pores
In short, comedogenic means pore-clogging. Even if you wash your face with an anti-acne cleanser, if you don’t remove pore-clogging ingredients from your daily life, you will still break out.
The best thing you can do for your skin is to purge all comedogenic products from your cabinet. Comedogenic ingredients can hide in your makeup, shampoo, lip balm, and more. You can check all your products with our handy pore-clogging ingredient list. Simply plug in an ingredient, and we’ll let you know if it’s comedogenic.
Lifestyle Changes for Clearer Skin
Once you remove food allergies or intolerances from your diet, there are other ways to lead an acne-free lifestyle. Here are some tips for healthy skin from the inside out.
- Hydration – Drinking enough water is crucial for flushing out your system and preventing acne. In regards to your skin care, use a daily moisturizer to hydrate your skin overnight.
- Balanced nutrition – A nutritious diet promotes gut health, which can minimize breakouts. Through an elimination diet, you can identify your personal acne triggers. Eggs, gluten, and dairy are also known to spur breakouts.
- Sleep schedule – Getting enough shut-eye regulates your internal clock and reduces stress.
- Time in nature – Being outside has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, and less of this stress hormone means a lower risk of acne.
The next step? Incorporating skincare for acne-prone skin.
Combat Pimples from Food Allergies with CLEARSTEM
Revitalize your skincare routine with CLEARSTEM, anti-acne and anti-aging products that promote clear, glowing skin.
Browse a range of lotions, cleansers, serums, and more, all formulated with non-comedogenic, toxin-free ingredients. For more targeted control, try our revolutionary hormonal acne supplement, an all-natural daily capsule that prevents acne at the source. These supplements address the root causes of acne in the entire body, regulating hormones and minimizing inflammation that leads to acne.
Plus, for more insider tips from founders Danielle and Kayleigh, check out our podcast episode here.
Sources:
National Library of Medicine. Food allergy as a risk factor for acne. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36648184/.
Mayo Clinic. Food allergy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20355095.
National Library of Medicine. Potential Role of the Microbiome in Acne: A Comprehensive Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678709/.
Healthline. How to Do an Elimination Diet and Why. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elimination-diet.
WebMD. Skin Care Ingredients for Sensitive Skin. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/skin-care-ingredients-sensitive-skin.
