What can't you eat when you have pimples?

At some stage in your life, probably in your teens, you identified an uncomfortable change in your skin. And in that part of her face that couldn't be hidden appeared the much-hated pimple. Maybe it just appeared as a red dot, but you decided to squeeze it and everything got worse.

A pimple is a skin lesion, most common on the face. It occurs when the sebaceous glands overproduce sebum and the excess oil clogs the pores. As a result, bacteria and other microorganisms develop in the region. So, the pimple is a result of this inflammatory process.



Once you understand the definition of what a pimple is, you may be left wondering what are the ways to prevent them from developing. It is therefore important to investigate what causes this increase in oiliness in your skin.

It could be a hormonal imbalance or even an emotional factor. We even talk about this second reason in the article, which you can check whenever you want. Another issue that causes the appearance of pimples is an unbalanced diet. Next, learn more about it!

What not to eat to avoid pimples?

If a diet that is not very balanced can develop pimples, it is important to know the foods that can increase the oiliness of your skin. Here are the main villains in this regard:

1) Refined carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, bread and cookies made with white flour can harm the skin of a person who has pimples. That's because they turn into sugar when they're absorbed into the blood, stimulating insulin production. From this, pimple-causing hormones are activated.

2) Sugars

If refined carbohydrates are bad for people with acne because they turn into sugar, you can imagine that sugary foods are not so good for the skin. Therefore, honey, refined sugar, soda and other very sweet foods should be avoided to reduce pimples.



3) Dairy

Milk and dairy products are also villains if you want to avoid pimples. In the blood, they stimulate the release of insulin, which activates hormones that can trigger acne. In addition, cow's milk has amino acids that initiate the production of a specific hormone in the liver, which can cause the lesions to appear.

What can't you eat when you have pimples?
Color / Pixabay

4) Fatty foods

Fatty and ultra-processed foods are potentially dangerous for many aspects of a person's health and can cause the appearance of pimples, as they increase the oiliness of the skin and put the body in an inflammatory state. This inflammation is precisely what causes acne.

5) Fish and nuts

In the Spanish diet, omega-6 is present in large amounts. Foods that have this component increase the inflammatory processes in a person's sebaceous glands and reduce the absorption of omega-3, which is good for the skin. So avoid fish and nuts, which are rich in omega-6.

What foods improve pimples?

If you have pimples and want them to be soothed, there are some foods you can eat to change the way your skin looks. It is important that you consume them on a regular basis for longer lasting effects. Try it:

1) Whole foods

To replace the carbohydrates that use white flour or are refined, you can opt for wholegrain foods (wholegrain bread, wholegrain pasta, brown rice…). They won't stimulate insulin production as strongly and, consequently, won't lead to the hormones that trigger acne.

2) Cold water fish

Present in foods such as sardines, tuna and salmon (cold-water fish), omega-3 is a component that reduces the inflammatory processes of a person's body. Therefore, it can improve the reddish appearance of pimples, if consumed regularly, through the aforementioned foods.



3) Seeds

Chia, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds are also foods rich in omega-3, which also provide other benefits for the body. These seeds increase the amount of beneficial fatty acids in your body, reducing the inflammation of the skin, which is the cause of pimples.

What can't you eat when you have pimples?
Natthapat Aphichayananthanakul / Pixabay

4) Lean meats

Lean meats are those that have less fat, such as chicken, lizard, duckling and pork loin. You can substitute fatty meats for them, as this substitution can ease the inflammatory processes in your body, stimulating skin reconstruction.

5) Vitamins A, C and E

Orange and green foods, such as papaya, carrots, spinach and avocado, have important vitamins in fighting acne. That's because they have vitamins A, C and E, which reduce the formation of sebum in the skin and improve the appearance of pimples.

Other care besides food

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and reflects many of the processes that are taking place within us. In other words, it's not just food that interferes with the appearance of your entire body.

In fact, the inflammation that causes pimples can only be permanently avoided if you take care of your entire body. For this, you should drink water daily and practice physical exercises, as this will help in the proper functioning of your metabolism.

In addition, it is important that you consult dermatologists to find out which products can be used to care for your skin. Sunscreen, for example, is essential to prevent the appearance of spots and the development of skin cancer.

You may also like


  • Watch out for foods that can harm your skin
  • Identify if your acne is a warning sign
  • Keep your body healthy with balanced food
  • What does your acne reveal about you?

As tempting as it may be, before trying out masks and face creams that someone else has used, make sure they are right for you. All skin types are different, which means that even a product that was good for someone else can encourage pimples on you.


Considering all the information presented, we identified that there are foods that can stimulate the appearance of pimples on the skin, especially on the face. Fortunately, there are substitutes for the fatty, inflammatory, and sugary ingredients that will improve the appearance of these sores. Remember to hydrate and take care of your health with specialized medical help!

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