Assoc. Prof. Muhammet Emin Çam
Rector Advisor, Vice Dean, and Faculty Member - Istanbul Kent University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Departmant of Pharmocology
Visiting Researcher&Lecturer -  University College London, Mechanical Engineering and Faculty of Medicine, UK
Visiting Lecturer - University of Aveiro, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Portugal
"Scientific evidence suggests a link between dairy consumption and acne, particularly in adolescents, with low-fat milk and high IGF-1 levels playing significant roles."
Dairy Products and Acne Relationship: What Does Science Say?

Dairy Products and Acne Relationship: What Does Science Say?

Observation / Findings Possible Cause Scientific Note Recommendation
Acne is more common in adolescents who consume dairy Hormones in milk may increase sebum production Studies show correlation, not causation Reduce dairy and monitor symptoms
Low-fat milk triggers higher insulin response Increased insulin may stimulate androgens Low-fat milk may be more acnegenic than whole milk Try plant-based alternatives
Dairy increases IGF-1 levels IGF-1 increases sebum and keratin production IGF-1 sensitivity is higher during adolescence Be cautious about IGF-1 levels
Cheese and yogurt have less effect Hormone levels are lower in fermented products Clinical effects may vary among individuals Prefer fermented dairy
Probiotic yogurt may reduce acne in some individuals It may reduce inflammation by regulating gut balance Similar effect observed with probiotic supplements Take probiotics for gut health