When I first started out on my skincare journey, I had no idea how many potential acne triggers we face every single day. It turns out that even the milk I used in my cereal every morning was an enemy, which is why I was super hesitant when it came to trying out coconut milk. So, I did my research. Here’s what I was able to find:
Coconut milk is a great milk alternative for those who regularly break out after eating dairy or lactose, but it may not be ideal for folks who have triggers like fat-rich food consumption. I’ll break that down into detail, as well as if other coconut-y foods are safe for the acne-prone fam to enjoy!
The Link Between Dairy Milk And Acne
If you’re like me and your skin freaks out whenever you have milk, it’s not without cause! It turns out that it’s so common of an occurrence, there’s been a lot of research done on why it happens. Two major causes include hormones and how it reacts to your personal diet.
When it comes to hormones, dairy milk is, unfortunately, chock-full of them. These added hormones disrupt the ones that we naturally have in our bodies, so those who have existing hormone issues or hormonal acne will be indefinitely more prone to seeing the negative effects of drinking milk on their skin.
For those who have a diet rich in refined sugar (brown sugar, corn syrup, and the like), milk may tip the clear-skin-scales away from your favor. Though milk isn’t too rich in sugar alone- it only has 12g of sugar per cup on average, those sugars may not bode well with an already sugary diet.
So begs the question, do you have to worry about these factors with coconut milk?
Can Coconut Milk Cause Acne?
The first thing I want to make clear is this: if you’ve noticed yourself breaking out every time you drink coconut milk, you should probably steer clear of it! We all have different triggers, so always listen to your body before you listen to me!
With that in mind, coconut milk is both hormone-free and dairy-free, which makes this milk the ideal choice if your acne is triggered by those factors. As for its sugar content, it only contains 0.5g per cup, consequently checking it off the list of possible triggers for those with sugar-triggered skin.
Here’s the catch. Coconut milk is more than a bit richer in fat than dairy milk, containing 57g of fat per cup as compared to the 2.4g of fat/cup in dairy milk. Though these saturated fats can be great at reducing the inflammation that comes with acne, if you know that your skin is triggered by fatty foods, I would highly suggest avoiding coconut milk!
Does Eating Coconut Cause Acne?
As for the fruit itself, eating coconut on its own shouldn’t cause any skin issues!
Raw coconut is one of the most nutrient-rich fruits that we sensitive-skin havers can indulge in. It’s rich in iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals that can boost the health and radiance of your skin.
A natural anti-inflammatory, one cup of raw, shredded coconut only has 27g of fat, which is 30g less than when it’s in milk form! If your skin is triggered by fatty foods and you have a hankering for some coconut, opt for it in its natural state instead.
Does Eating Coconut Oil Cause Acne?
You’ve probably heard that applying coconut oil on your face isn’t the best idea, especially if you have acne-prone skin! Because of that, you’re probably wondering if instead, it’s okay to eat it.
Sadly, those who have fatty-food triggers shouldn’t be regularly consuming coconut oil, especially since it contains 14g of fat per tablespoon and is 100% fat on its own.
However, if you have no fat sensitivities, coconut oil consumption may be a great way to balance your gut, improve your nutrient absorption rate, and lower your body’s insulin response. All three of those qualities can lead to clearer, healthier skin over time. Healthy skin=less breakouts!
Does Coconut Yogurt Cause Acne?
When it comes to coconut yogurt, it’s a bit of a coin toss. Yogurt is one of those products that is deceivingly good for you, some of them can be super rich in fat and sugar- which just so happen to be two major sensitivities for acne-prone skin.
If you’re looking for a yogurt that’s least likely to cause any breakouts, opt for a coconut-flavored greek yogurt that could balance gut health over something dairy-based. Taking a look at the nutrition label and seeing how concentrated the levels of sugar and fat are could also save your skin too!
The bottom line when it comes to yogurt: find the most natural brand possible.
Can Coconut Water Cause Acne?
We’ll end this article on a high note by talking about coconut water! It’s the safest option on this list for acne-prone skin, and it’s also the most beneficial. Let’s get into it!
Coconut water is kind of a miracle elixir. It contains the natural anti-inflammatory agents that coconut holds, while also acting as an antimicrobial and detoxifier. Though these effects can be felt via consumption, they’re much more effective when applied topically!
I would recommend soaking a cotton round with some coconut water, and applying it to your face rich after washing- kind of like a toner! It’s gentle enough to use twice a day, and it has a ton of benefits.
How Coconut Water Can Help Acne-Prone Skin
Here are just some of the ways coconut water can help your acne-prone skin:
- It can fade and reduce acne scarring.
- Due to its rich amino acid percentage, it can repair a damaged moisture barrier (the invisible shield on your face that prevents bacteria and irritants from causing acne!)
- Antioxidant rich, coconut water can neutralize the effects of free radicals which are atoms that can damage cells.
All in all, coconut water is definitely the ideal coconut-y treat for all of us skin fanatics, not just as a drink, but as a new step in our daily maintenance routines! How’s that for multi-tasking?
