Chocolate: Is It The Reason You’re Breaking Out?

A large majority of people have been prone to breakouts at some point in their lives. Many have been advised to lay off sweets and chocolates as a preventative measure. Although minimizing your chocolate intake is excellent for overall health, there has been no substantial evidence of it causing breakouts.

Many dermatologists have explored the effects of chocolate on the skin over the past few decades. Most of the research conducted around this topic has come back inconclusive. Could the chocolate rationale be a myth? Let’s look into it.

How Chocolate Affects your Skin

Experts have dismissed chocolate as an aggressor of acne breakouts. Instead, they identify the added ingredients in a chocolate bar as possible contributing factors for problematic skin. Dermatologist Dr. Michele Green expands on this, noting that many elements in some chocolates can indeed worsen your skin condition.

“If you’re eating chocolate that’s full of corn syrup, sugar, fillers, dairy, and additives, you’re ingesting things that can definitely contribute to a breakout.”

Says Dr. Green

Diet experts have even recently found a correlation between pure cocoa and improved skin conditions. High-quality dark chocolate with minimal to no added ingredients has the potential to benefit your skin. According to a leading chef and nutritionist, Serena Poon, the pure cocoa ingredient is highly beneficial.

“Studies have shown that the polyphenols found in the cocoa plant possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can neutralize oxidative damage, and can be helpful in protecting the skin from damage caused by UV rays.”

Says Serena Poon

Improving your Diet to Improve your Skin

Although cocoa has proven positive effects on your skin’s health, it’s still important to be mindful of diet. As mentioned beforehand, sugars, dairy, and other additives in chocolate can negatively impact the skin. The above applies to sugars in high carb products and dairy-rich foods that also increase acne formation.

Dr. Green advocates for a healthy diet to achieve healthy skin. She lists greens, omega three rich foods, lentils, citrus, and matcha as great foods for healthy skin. There is also an emphasis on the importance of drinking water for better skin.

“ If you are dehydrated, your skin will appear dry and listless.”

Says Serena Poon

So make sure to increase your water intake and add a piece of dark chocolate for beautiful clear skin.