Does Food Cause Pimples? Sugar, Dairy and Oily Food in Pakistan

Research suggests a modest link between acne and high-glycemic diets, and a mixed link with dairy. Oily food and chocolate do not have clear proof behind them. Diet is one factor among many, alongside genes, hormones and oil production, so changing what you eat is not a replacement for skincare or medical care.

Our guide to niacinamide serum in Pakistan explains what to check before you buy.

Key takeaways

A 2022 systematic review found high glycemic index and glycemic load were positively associated with acne and acne severity, with a modest effect.
The same review found the dairy link mixed, possibly depending on sex, ethnicity and cultural diet.
A 2013 review found no clear evidence that specific foods raise acne risk, apart from signs for low-glycemic diets in one small trial.
A 2025 review of the Mediterranean diet found an association with less severe acne, but the evidence quality was low.

What does the research say?

Food factor	What reviews found	Strength of evidence
High glycemic index and load (sugary or refined foods)	Modest positive link with acne and severity; supported by some randomized trials	Moderate, effect modest
Dairy	Mixed; may matter in some groups, such as populations on a Western diet	Mixed
Mediterranean-style diet	Linked with less severe acne; vegetables linked with lower odds of acne	Low quality, few studies
Chocolate	We found no clear proof in the reviews we read	Unclear
Oily or fried food	We found no strong evidence that eating oil makes facial oil worse	Unclear

What does this mean for a Pakistani diet?

The research above is not about Pakistani food specifically, so we cannot say that any dish causes pimples. What the reviews do suggest is that heavy intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar may be worth looking at:

Food or habit	Why it may matter	A gentle swap to consider
Mithai, sugary desserts, sweetened drinks	High in sugar, which raises glycemic load	Have them less often or in smaller portions
Chai with several spoons of sugar	Adds up through the day	Reduce sugar gradually
White bread, maida-based snacks	Refined carbohydrates have a higher glycemic index	Try whole-wheat roti or oats where you can
Fried snacks	No clear proof of an acne link, but heavy meals are not a diet pattern most doctors recommend	Balance with vegetables and dal
Milk, lassi, chai with milk	The evidence on dairy is mixed	If you suspect it, try reducing for a few weeks and watch, rather than cutting everything
Vegetables, fruit, pulses, fish	Features of Mediterranean-style eating linked with less severe acne in a low-quality review	Include them regularly

Why can’t anyone say “this food causes your pimples”?

Acne is influenced by genes; heritability is close to 80% in first-degree relatives.
Hormones and puberty play a big part.
Food studies often rely on people remembering what they ate, which is not precise.
Responses differ between people, so an average result may not match you.

How can you test food for yourself?

Pick one suspected food and keep everything else the same.
Reduce it for 4 to 6 weeks.
Note whether new pimples are fewer, using photos in the same light.
If nothing changes, return to eating normally; do not keep cutting foods that are not the cause.
Do not remove whole food groups, such as dairy, for long periods without asking a doctor or dietitian.

What should you do alongside diet changes?

Keep a gentle skincare routine; see our oily and acne-prone skin guide.
Use sunscreen and a light moisturizer; see sunscreen for oily skin.
Do not rely on food alone for painful, deep or scarring acne; see cystic acne and a dermatologist.

Frequently asked questions

Does sugar cause pimples?

Reviews found that high-glycemic foods and drinks are modestly linked with acne and its severity, so heavy sugar intake may make acne worse for some people. It is not the only cause.

Does milk cause acne?

The evidence is mixed. Some studies link dairy with acne in certain groups, but others do not. If you suspect milk, try reducing it for a few weeks and watch.

Does chocolate cause pimples?

We have not found clear proof that it does. Sweetened chocolate adds sugar, which may matter more than the chocolate itself.

Does oily food cause pimples?

We have not found strong evidence that eating oily food makes facial oil or pimples worse, though heavy fried meals are not a balanced pattern.

Which foods are good for acne-prone skin?

No food treats acne, but a Mediterranean-style pattern with vegetables, fruit, pulses and fish was linked with less severe acne in a low-quality review.

Should I stop eating dairy to clear my skin?

Not without a reason. A short trial is reasonable; stopping dairy long-term can affect nutrition, so ask a doctor or dietitian.

Is chai bad for pimples?

We have not found evidence that tea itself is the issue. Heavy sugar in chai adds to your sugar intake.

Can diet replace skincare for pimples?

No. Diet is one factor. Skincare and, when needed, medical treatment matter too.

Sources

Meixiong J, Ricco C, Vasavda C, Ho BK. Diet and acne: a systematic review. JAAD Int, 2022;7:95-112. doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2022.02.012 (PubMed 35373155)
Bhate K, Williams HC. Epidemiology of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol, 2013;168(3):474-485. doi:10.1111/bjd.12149 (PubMed 23210645)
Taha S, Shakhshir M, Zyoud SH. The Mediterranean diet and acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Metab (Lond), 2025;22(1):132. doi:10.1186/s12986-025-01033-9 (PubMed 41194132)
American Academy of Dermatology. Acne: who gets and causes

A gentle reminder

Skincare helps the look and feel of your skin; it does not treat medical conditions. Patch test any new product behind the ear or on the inner arm first, and introduce one new active at a time. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have a skin condition such as eczema, ask your doctor before adding active ingredients. See our FAQ for more, or build your own routine.

Chelure’s Set A pairs the Acne & Oil Control Serum with the Hydration Moisturizer.