---
id: "51e6327c37cf9c55c94a8d0a"
lang: "en"
title: "11 Seemingly Healthy Foods That Can Cause Acne and Bad Skin"
slug: "seemingly-healthy-foods-that-can-cause-acne-and-bad-skin"
date: "2026-08-28"
updated: "2023-08-02"
author: "heather-williams"
category: "food"
tags: ["flare ups", "foods that cause acne", "going through puberty", "healthy ingredients", "salsa salsa", "well balanced diet"]
image: "https://img.allw.mn/thumbs/50/r8iarwfc6rjbmwbag1kzf5_1080x1350.jpg"
summary: "If you’re into health food like me, chances are you like to eat foods that can enhance the skin, but what you may not know is that many health foods that are good for you are actually foods that…"
source: "https://food.allwomenstalk.com/seemingly-healthy-foods-that-can-cause-acne-and-bad-skin/"
---
If you’re into health food like me, chances are you like to eat foods that can enhance the skin, but what you may not know is that many health foods that are good for you are actually foods that cause acne as well. I know, I know; can we ever truly eat the right thing without someone finding something wrong with it? I completely understand how dreadfully exhausting it can be to try to eat the right thing. During my journey to healthy eating, I also learned how foods can affect my skin, and how even healthy foods that cause acne could be preventing me from looking and feeling my best. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat these foods ever again. In fact, the opposite is true; you should eat them, however they should be part of a well balanced diet, and not eaten in excess. The following foods that cause acne are rich in certain minerals and nutrients that, eaten too frequently, can cause flare-ups in the skin. Read on to find out what foods may be giving you those pimples that just won’t seem to go away no matter what.

## 1. Salsa

Salsa is one of my absolute favorite foods, but also one of the top foods that cause acne. Salsa contains so many healthy ingredients, and is virtually a calorie-free condiment in my book, with only 20 calories per serving. It is a good source of fiber due to the abundance of veggies it contains and it tastes incredible! Yet, salsa is also acidic, since it contains tomatoes and vinegar, two ingredients that tend to break skin out if eaten regularly, or in large quantities. Tomatoes are one of my favorite foods and I do love to eat them, however if I eat them several days in a row, or eat salsa several days in a row, I will break out like a teenager going through puberty. Enjoy salsa once or twice a week, but if you’re prone to breakouts or suffering from acne now, then be sure to watch your intake and see if it improves. You can also sub in hummus as another low calorie dip and spread, which contains nutrients that actually fight acne, such as healthy B vitamins and selenium found in chickpeas.

## 2. Greek Yogurt

Who doesn’t love Greek yogurt, right? I know I can’t live without the stuff in my fridge. Greek yogurt is full of protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12, yet it is also a source of dairy. Dairy, no matter how healthy, can cause breakouts in certain individuals, and it all relates to hormones in the body. If you tend to be low in estrogen, then eating dairy may not break you out. However, if your body has enough estrogen, or too much, then dairy may pose a problem for you since all dairy foods contain estrogen on their own, even without added hormones in certain varieties. To prevent taking in too many hormones from dairy, I always buy organic, or no hormone added varieties such as Fage and Chobani. I find when I stick to these varieties I don’t break out, but if I consume other sources that contain added hormones, I will break out. Greek yogurt is a perfectly healthy food, but if you suffer acne, you may want to consider eating less of it or consuming nondairy sources to see if the acne dissipates.

## 3. Kelp