What diet modifications do you recommend for patients with acne to help prevent breakouts?

I'm not too crazy about recommending a restrictive diet for acne patients but I always ask about protein shakes, whey, creatine and recommend a vegan powder if possible.

Skim milk and low GLYCEMIC index diet if anyone is willing to change their behaviors.

For those motivated to make dietary changes, I recommend avoiding high-glycemic index food, dairy (especially skim milk), and red meat. I do recommend a Mediterranean diet enriched in vegetables, legumes, fish, as well as vitamin D and zinc.

References:

• Meixiong et al., PMID 35373155
• Hasamoh et al., PMID 34348293
• Yee et al., PMID 32860489

I definitely agree with the banning of all BUT plant-based protein shakes, especially whey protein. I do not tell my teen acne patients that they need a "low glycemic diet". I try to simplify and I tell them to cut down/out white bread, sugar, white potatoes and white rice and sweetened drinks. Parents often don't do well with our using the word DIET so I prefer to say eliminate. With regards to milk products, I tell them that some studies have shown that they might aggravate acne and that they should see what cutting back does if their acne is difficult to control. Some old studies have shown that skim milk is worse than full fat but it is possible that there are more current studies that have proved otherwise.