Body Natural medicine

Insulin acne

2025-07-20
Laura Viem

Insulin acne is a type of acne that develops as a result of glucose intolerance. It is caused by excessive insulin production in response to the consumption of carbohydrates with a high glycemic index.

Causes of insulin acne

Insulin acne most often occurs as a result of:

  • excessive consumption of simple sugars and fast carbohydrates,
  • insulin resistance,
  • fluctuations in blood glucose levels,
  • excessive secretion of insulin and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor).

How the mechanism of insulin acne works

  1. Glucose spike → insulin spike – after consuming sweets, milk, or fruit with a high glycemic load, blood sugar levels rise dramatically.
  2. Insulin stimulates IGF-1, which:
    • increases sebum (oil) production,
    • accelerates skin cell division (keratinization),
    • increases inflammation,
    • blocks pores and promotes the formation of blackheads and pimples.
  3. As a result:
    • the skin becomes oily, congested, and inflamed, often in the lower part of the face: chin, jaw, and neck.

Symptoms typical of insulin acne

Insulin acne can be distinguished from other types of acne with careful observation. The most common symptoms of insulin acne:

  • appears after eating foods such as sweets, fruit, and milk,
  • skin condition worsens after consuming dairy products (especially milk) and processed foods,
  • pimples and blackheads appear primarily on the chin, jaw, and neck, sometimes also affecting the décolleté and back,
  • skin most often (but not always) becomes oily, shiny, and has enlarged pores,
  • lesions can be painful and deep (subcutaneous inflammation),
  • often occurs in lean individuals with lean insulin resistance,
  • most often in women aged 20-40.

How to prevent insulin acne

Following a low glycemic load diet:

  • avoid: sweets, fruit juices, white bread, white rice, milk (including lactose-free), bananas, mangoes, grapes,
  • choose: groats (buckwheat, millet), vegetables, berries, grapefruit, nuts, avocado, eggs, fish, and meat.

Avoid milk and dairy products:

  • not only because of lactose, but also because of IGF-1 and the hormones contained in milk.

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels:

  • eat regularly,
  • combine carbohydrates with protein and fat,
  • avoid excessive hunger, which then leads to cravings.

Get enough sleep and reduce stress:

  • cortisol disrupts insulin and skin health.

Tests:

  • blood sugar curve (glucose + insulin at 0, 60, and 120 minutes),
  • DHEA, testosterone, SHBG, androstenedione (if you also suspect an androgenic component),
  • HOMA-IR index.