Glycemic Control and Acne: A Review

Abstract

Acne as a chronic inflammation involves pilosebaceous unit and is associated with hyperkeratosis and sebaceous hypersecretion. A high glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) diet may stimulate acne proliferative pathways affecting biochemical factors in acne. Although GI and GL have a prominent role in acne pathophysiology, few literatures assessed this association. This review was undertaken to summarize the published data regarding the effect of low glycemic load diet on acne lesions. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science direct, Google scholar up to January 2019. GI and GL are implicated in acne pathogenesis due to diet-induced hyperinsulinemia, stimulating a rise in IGF-1 concentrations and androgen hormones and as a result, amplifying acne-promoting pathways.