Is it true that … eating greasy food causes spots?

Don’t ditch the pizza just yet – acne is more likely to be caused by hormones and genetics

Those who are acne-prone often have oilier skin, which leads some to believe that greasy foods such as pizza or burgers cause breakouts. “People think that eating greasy food increases oil on the skin, which leads to acne,” says Dr Rosalind Simpson, a medical dermatologist at the University of Nottingham. “But that’s a misconception. The oil on your skin – sebum from pores – is mostly influenced by hormones and genetics.”

The primary cause of acne is an increase in androgens, or male sex hormones, which happens in men and women at puberty. This triggers an increase in production of sebum, and mixed with dead skin cells, this can block the pores. The oily environment allows bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes), which are naturally present on the skin, to thrive, leading to inflammation. Other hormone shifts, such as those caused by polycystic ovary syndrome or progesterone-only contraception, can also be to blame.