The frank answer to this question is no. There are many medical myths linking coffee and acne breakout. But there is no scientific data or medical research to validate this rumor. The myth must have originated from reports of many patients who experienced improvement of their acne condition when coffee intake was reduced.
Can Caffeine Aggrevate Acne?
Acne is predominantly found in youngsters in their teens. As we all know coffee is not a major component of their diet. In fact most of them do not consume coffee at all. Hence we cannot conclusively link coffee being the cause acne.
Nevertheless caffeine can aggravate the condition of people already suffering from acne. Caffeine has a tendency of stimulating some glands and making them act at a faster pace. Also caffeine is diuretic and dehydrates the body. It dries up the body. This prompts the release of sebum from the sebaceous gland. Sebaceous gland detects the dryness in the body and tries to compensate for the lack of oil.
Also another harmful effect of coffee is that it can cause further inflammation of already acne affected skin. This aggravation can make an already difficult condition even more painful. Essentially by controlling the amount of caffeine consumed one can hope to see improvement in one’s acne condition.
Recommended For People Suffering From Acne
One or two cups of coffee a day are generally safe. But it is advised that people suffering from acne should try and limit their coffee intake and supplement it with other caffeine free drinks like water or juice. Though there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim, many people have reported drastic improvements in their acne after stopping coffee consumption.
Coffee has a diverse effect on the nervous system and can prove toxic if taken in large amounts. But the human body builds a tolerance to it over time. Gradually consumption of large amounts of coffee leads to addiction. Hence coffee cannot be cut out of your life all of sudden.
How To Cut Down On Coffee Or Caffeine
It should be done in stages by reducing the quantity gradually. If not done in this manner severe withdrawal symptoms may present. Withdrawal symptoms include severe headaches, loss of sleep and joint pain. The symptoms can last for up to five days.
But cutting off coffee intake is easier said than done. The taste and aroma of coffee are too hard to forget and people who have difficulty saying no to coffee can dry the de-caff version. This is coffee which tastes the same as the normal variety but without harmful caffeine in it. It is highly recommended for people trying to reduce caffeine intake.
Cutting Down On Caffeine Is Not An Option
Now caffeine is also present in drinks other than coffee. Hence people with acne have to be careful about what all they consume. People who have tried different remedies for acne and still haven’t seen any visible results are advised to cut down on caffeine products like coffee. It will prevent the drying up of the skin and subsequent release of sebum from the sebaceous gland. Excess of Sebum ultimately leads to blocked pores and aggravated acne.