Has anyone here successfully treated acne by giving up dairy?

[DrinaDancesInParis]

I love cheese. So, so much. But I am getting more and more frustrated that I am still battling acne as I head into my mid thirties! I use La Roche Posay as recommended on here, and it does help a lot, but it is only managing it, and I get flare ups around my period whatever I do.

Now I'm thinking dairy might be the culprit as argued in articles like this one. I'm vegetarian already, so I do rely on dairy a lot in my diet. It would be a drastic change and mean giving up dairy milk so I'm a bit unsure about it.

So, has anyone on here found that an dairy free diet helps their skin? Or is this a silly idea?

[HaveCourageAndBeKind]

Yes. I had to go dairy free when BF and my skin was the best it's ever been.

I like cheese too much though, so now I just accept the spots as the price

[steppemum]

My friend did this. Inher thirties, gave up dairy, and her skin immediately went clear.

I can't remember now if she gave up dairy because of her skin, or for another reason, and the skin was a side effect.

[DrinaDancesInParis]

Thanks both!

Dammit though, I kind of wanted everyone to debunk this so I could keep guzzling cheese. On the other hand, I'm a bit excited that it might actually be a magic solution after years of terrible skin!

Almond milk etc it is. Thanks again

[blue2014]

Yep me too, I went back to diary when pregnant though and it's been ok since.

[TearGas]

The only thing(s) that has ever made a difference to my hormonal acne:

• Running
  
• Liz Earle muslin cloth cleanser
  

(but mainly running).

[sergeantmajor]

Giving up sugar helps my skin enormously. I have never managed to give it up for long though!

[OneDropsEnough]

I gave up all dairy and have clear skin for the first time since my teens. I'm 47! Always had acne on my shoulders and chin - all clear now. Like a previous poster, if I want to eat dairy (occasionally) I just accept spots as the price I have to pay.

[DrinaDancesInParis]

Right, I'm convinced! Thanks

Liz Earle doesn't agree with my skin, but I do use the hot cloth method. I exercise a lot (I don't run though) so I suppose I don't know how bad my skin would be without exercise!

I will try cutting out dairy first...not sure if I can wean myself off sugar entirely!

[JohnCheese]

There is no hard and fast evidence of a link with dairy and acne.
However, to me it makes sense. And as an acne sufferer/been on Roaccutane and if I start back on the odd yogurt, I am fairly guaranteed to get a spot. I can manage probably 2 or 3 small yogurts a week, but more than that and I break out.

If I were you, I would give it a go if you can, or reduce by a good bit.

And organic makes no difference. It's to do with cow hormones, not pesticides/herbicides/feed. And take full fat milk. None of this skimmed stuff. Again it's to do with hormone concentration - which is less in full fat.

[namechange20050]

No. I tried it years ago (am mid 30s) and it didn't make a bit of difference. I was dairy free for about 2 months. Things that make mine better are drinking loads of water & trying not to go too crazy with the refined sugar.

[MardAsSnails]

I gave up dairy for 18 months and my skin was fabulous

Now I'm just a fat and spotty cheese eater.

[YerTiz]

I notice a big difference in my skin when my gut is unhappy - so too much wheat/sugar/processed crap does it for me.

[PhoenixRisingSlowly]

It makes a massive difference to my skin - especially those horrible deep painful chin spots - when I stop eating dairy. It just clears right up. Ditto when I go low sugar.

[SoonToBeMrsJ]

I had similar acne related products, and found that giving up dairy worked for me - but this was only after eliminating other food groups e.g. sugars to find out the cause.
OP - have you though about removing refined sugars from your diet first to see if sugars have an effect on your acne rather than dairy.
Giving up dairy might lead to a vitamin unbalance due to your diet (vegetarian)

If you do find that giving up dairy has a positive effect upon your acne, it's worth speaking to a nutritionist / dietitian to ensure your diet remains balanced.

[JessiCake]

Sorry OP but giving up dairy made no difference to me :(

Nor did giving up any food group at all tbh, even when I had a great diet I was still plagued by terrible cystic acne.

Roaccutane zealot here - it's not for everyone but it changed my life for the better. I had tried EVERYTHING else though.

Good luck, it's miserable and sometimes just needs one thing to unlock the mystery of why you get the spots. x

[Buytheminpairs]

I didn't give up dairy, I just gave up lactose. Stopped both my bloaty tummy and my spotty face. Was spot free for the first time in nearly 30 years within a fortnight.

I'm still occasionally naughty and pig out on cheese or buttercream icing on cakes, but I find I can have some lactose containing dairy and suffer a couple of spots. It's worth enjoying the indulgence for some minor little plooks .

[DrinaDancesInParis]

Just thought I'd post an update on this in case it's helpful for anyone else.

I've now been off dairy (barring one slip up involving a stressful delayed train journey and a packet of cadbury mini eggs) for a month. The acne on my chin and jawline has pretty much disappeared!

I've had one period since I tried this and I did get a couple of spots, both on my jawline, but normal pimples rather than the hideous deep rooted monsters I usually get, and they went away fast. The acne on my back and shoulders, which is much more stubborn, is also better, still visible but seems to be healing. Before it was a case of constant firefighting with the Roche Posay stuff.

I'm counting this as a success and will keep going! There's a lot of calcium in almond and soya milk so I don't feel I'm giving up any nutrients. Alas, vegan cheese is gross. Long term I will definitely be taking the odd cheese holiday but will stock up on concealer beforehand...

So so pleased this seems to actually be working so far! I actually wore a bardot dress to a wedding last weekend and I would never have had the confidence to wear anything that showed so much skin before.

Fingers crossed this is the answer for me and hope this maybe helps others suffering out there.