Overview

A regular diet of greasy hamburgers, artery-clogging fats and foods high in sodium adversely affects your health and appearance. This type of diet might lead to obesity and in turn raise your chances of developing heart disease, type-2 diabetes, dementia and hosts of diseases. Despite the potential dangers of a poor diet, greasy, fat-laden foods do not lead to acne.

Acne and Greasy Foods

Although common theories blame chocolate and greasy foods for acne, no real connection exists between your diet and your blackheads, whiteheads or blemishes. The truth is, consuming oily foods is not shown to raise hormone levels or increase oil production in the skin.

Causes of Acne

The real acne-causing culprit is not greasy foods, nor is it poor hygiene. Excess sebum, or oil, production causes acne. When the body produces too much oil, the pores become clogged with dead skin cells and bacteria, which leads to inflammation beneath the skin and subsequent blemishes. Hormones are largely responsible for the overproduction of sebum, which is why teens experience the most acne. Breakouts are also common among women, particularly before menstruation when hormones fluctuate.

Acne Diet

Although greasy foods are not likely to cause or exacerbate your acne, a healthy diet is still important for overall skin health. Eating certain foods might improve your acne by increasing skin healing and reducing the appearance of residual acne marks. Although no specific wound-healing diet exists, healing is slower among people who consume too few calories and important nutrients. A diet rich in protein, vitamin C and zinc, as well as essential fluids for skin nourishment, is ideal.

Cautions

If your acne is severe, does not respond to over-the-counter treatments or is painful, it may be time to see a dermatologist. Untreated acne can cause scarring, particularly if it is cystic acne -- the most stubborn and skin-damaging form of acne. In some cases, cystic acne requires drainage and extraction to decrease inflammation and prevent scarring. Talk to a dermatologist if your acne persists.