Acne Triggers - Substituting Dairy
Updated: Mar 5, 2025
Did you know that 3 in 4 people (75%) are unable to fully digest dairy foods (dairy sensitivity) like milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream? Most of these individuals are unaware. Read here.
You may have heard us talk about how dairy is a major trigger for acne-prone skin because it is not only inflammatory to the body, but it can also disrupt proper digestion and assimilation of certain minerals and nutrients since it increases mucus production in the body (related to the protein in cow's milk). Dairy also causes bloating and swollen tissues. If you are prone to a puffy face or puffy eyes, dairy consumption could be to blame. Moreover, dairy can exacerbate conditions like rosacea, eczema, asthma, seasonal allergies, and more. No bueno!
What is an excellent alternative to traditional dairy? There are tons of substitutes such as walnut milk (is our favorite when taken along with our daily recommended EPA supplement to bring it to the perfect ratio of daily omega-3 intake to reduce inflammation 🙌), almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, cashew milk (avoid soy/soy milk…it has a ton of other issues!). When choosing dairy-free products, also avoid carrageenan and algin as added ingredients (which also have their own detrimental effects). You can find similar alternatives for yogurt, coffee creamer, ice cream and more. Some great cheese alternatives would be cheese made from nuts such as Kite Hill Cheese or Heidi Ho Cheese. What's your favorite?
