Caffeine and Acne: Does Coffee Cause Acne Breakouts?

With nearly 10% of people affected, acne is considered the eighth most prevalent disease across the globe [1]. Dealing with acne can be frustrating, especially if you're unsure what's causing it. Many people look to their diet for potential triggers, and specifically, wonder if coffee is to blame.

At PROVEN Skincare, we believe the answers to many of our wellness questions—including about the health of our skin—can be found in research and data. Here, we’ll explore the science behind caffeine and acne and provide you with practical tips to prevent and manage acne breakouts.

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The Science Behind Caffeine And Acne

Diving into the science is the first step to take to better understand the relationship between caffeine and acne. Two factors that contribute to acne breakouts are:

Hormone fluctuations and imbalances
Overproduction of sebum

How Caffeine Affects Hormones and Blood Sugar

Caffeine can affect hormone levels in your body, including cortisol—the stress hormone—which can have an impact on acne breakouts. When you're under stress, your body releases cortisol, which may trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, leading to acne breakouts.

Additionally, caffeine can cause increases in insulin levels, affecting blood sugar levels that lead to inflammation throughout the body. Furthermore, inflammation can trigger acne breakouts and exacerbate existing acne problems.

How Sebaceous Glands Impact Acne Breakouts

Sebaceous glands, which are located in our hair follicles, produce sebum to help moisturize and protect the skin. However, the overproduction of sebum can clog pores and contribute to acne breakouts. Because caffeine can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, oily skin and acne breakouts may result.

The Relationship Between Coffee And Acne

Understanding how caffeine affects hormones and sebum production can help us make better decisions to improve our skin health. Let's explore the relationship between coffee and acne, specifically.

Does Drinking Coffee Cause Acne?

The short answer is that there's no definitive evidence that drinking coffee causes acne. However, some studies suggest that caffeine intake may contribute to increased blood sugar levels. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that high glycemic load diets were associated with an increased risk of acne in young adults [2].

At the same time, coffee has actually been found to have positive benefits on the skin. For example, rosacea. This article covers an inverse association between caffeine intake—particularly from coffee—and the risk of incident rosacea. In other words, higher caffeine intake was associated with a lower risk of rosacea [3].

How Coffee Can Increase Stress Hormones

As we mentioned earlier, caffeine can increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. When cortisol levels are high, the sebaceous glands may be triggered to produce more sebum, leading to acne breakouts. In addition, coffee can also disrupt sleep patterns. In turn, does lack of sleep cause acne? Studies show that an increase in stress levels contribute to stressed skin.

The Effects of Coffee on Skin Health

While coffee may not directly cause acne, it can affect our skin health in other ways. For instance, coffee is a diuretic, which means it can dehydrate the body and lead to dry skin. Dry skin is more prone to acne breakouts because it's more likely to produce excess oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. Coffee is also acidic, potentially disrupting the skin's natural pH balance and leading to inflammation and acne breakouts.

Can Other Caffeinated Beverages Cause Acne?

Coffee isn’t the only popular beverage that contains caffeine. Other caffeinated drinks, like tea, soft drinks, or soda, can also affect skin health and contribute to acne breakouts.

Green Tea and Acne

Green tea has been associated with several health benefits—from the prevention of cancer cardiovascular disease to acting as an antiviral—due to its catechin or flavonoid content. Additionally, green tea is full of antioxidants and is considered an anti-inflammatory. This is great to keep bacteria growth at bay, which can cause skin irritation and inflammation, thus making it a natural remedy for ace-prone skin [4].

A 2016 study out of Switzerland found that oral consumption and topical application can improve skin inflammation. It helps reduce sebum production and keeps pores clean by fighting any bacteria trapped in our skin [5].

The Effects of Soft Drinks on Skin Health

Soft drinks or sodas, especially those that are high in sugar, have been linked to various health problems. While their specific effects on skin health are less well-known, what we do know is that the high levels of sugar in soft drinks contribute to acne breakouts by increasing insulin levels and inflammation in the body [6].

Additionally, because soft drinks are high in sugar (which as we discussed earlier, can cause blood sugar levels to spike), their consumption can lead to a surge in insulin. In turn, insulin triggers the production of androgen hormones, which can contribute to the development of acne. Soft drinks may also cause inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate acne symptoms.

Managing Caffeine Intake for Clear Skin

While there is no definitive evidence that caffeine directly causes acne breakouts, reducing caffeine intake may still be beneficial for people with acne-prone skin. Here are some tips for reducing caffeine intake to promote clear skin:

Tips for Reducing Caffeine Intake

Switch to decaf: If you love the taste of coffee but want to cut back your caffeine intake, consider switching to decaf. Decaffeinated coffee contains only a trace amount of caffeine, which is unlikely to affect your skin health.

Drink herbal tea: Herbal tea is a great alternative to caffeinated beverages since most herbal teas are caffeine-free and offer various health benefits, including reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation.

Limit soft drink consumption: If ditching your favorite sweet drink is simply not going to happen, opt for sugar-free varieties instead; or better yet, switch to sparkling, infused water or natural fruit juices.

Monitor your caffeine intake: Keep track of your caffeine intake to ensure you are not consuming more than the recommended daily limit of 400mg.

Other Lifestyle Factors That Affect Acne Breakouts

While caffeine intake may be a contributing factor to acne breakouts, other lifestyle factors can also play a significant role. Some additional lifestyle tips that may help manage acne breakouts include:

Maintaining a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods can help reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin.
Exercising regularly: Doing a cardiovascular activity 2-3 times a week or taking daily walks can help reduce stress levels. However, it’s important to note that sweat can cause acne so taking a shower immediately after your workout is recommended.
Getting enough sleep: Experts recommend getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep so the body can recover. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress levels, exacerbating acne symptoms.
Managing stress: Chronic stress can contribute to acne breakouts by increasing inflammation and the production of stress hormones.

The PROVEN Skincare Solution

At PROVEN, we take a holistic approach to skincare and look to understand you and your skin from the inside out. The Skin Genome Project™ is our database of information and artificial intelligence that we use to compute the best formulas for each customer, focusing on research-backed ingredients that are approved by dermatologists. Based on your answers to our Skin Genome Quiz, our database instantly sifts through this incredible amount of information to select the best ingredients for your skin.

And when it comes time to make product recommendations, we always err on the side of simplicity with just three products. Our skincare system includes:

A natural face cleanser that ensures any dirt and makeup from the day is removed to reveal glowing, healthy, and fresh-feeling skin
A daily moisturizer with SPF that helps prevent your skin from drying out while targeting other issues you may have, including acne
A personalized night cream formulated by Stanford scientists to restore elasticity and deliver intensive nourishment while you get your beauty sleep

The PROVEN 3-step system gives your skin everything it needs—and nothing that it doesn’t.

The Verdict on Caffeine And Acne

While the relationship between caffeine and acne is not yet fully understood, some evidence does suggest that caffeine may indirectly contribute to acne breakouts by affecting hormones and blood sugar levels. However, because the evidence is inconclusive, more research is needed to confirm and expand these findings.

If you’re struggling with acne, it's worth considering your caffeine intake and its potential impact on your skin health. While coffee and other caffeinated beverages may not be the sole cause of acne breakouts, reducing your consumption may help improve your skin's overall health.

At PROVEN Skincare, we understand the frustration of dealing with acne breakouts and the impact that can have on your mental health and daily life. That's why we’re dedicated to providing personalized skincare solutions that work for your unique skin concerns. Our skincare products are formulated with high-quality ingredients and are backed by scientific research to deliver real results.

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