Does Chocolate Cause Acne?
Does chocolate cause acne?
Possibly for some people; the evidence is thin and unresolved
Possibly for some people, but the evidence is thin. One tiny double-blind trial saw more lesions after cocoa, and a 2021 review lists chocolate among possible acne-promoting foods while saying the roles of cocoa and of dark versus milk chocolate are unresolved.
The small trial
In a double-blind trial, 14 men aged 18 to 35 with a history of acne swallowed capsules of unsweetened cocoa, gelatin powder, or a mix. Thirteen finished. Their lesion counts rose from baseline on day 4 and day 7, and the amount of cocoa taken correlated with the rise. It is a very small, short study that used capsules, not chocolate bars.
What reviews say
A 2021 systematic review of diet and acne names chocolate among possible acne-promoting factors, but states that the part played by cocoa, dark chocolate and milk chocolate remains unresolved. Milk chocolate also carries sugar and milk, which have their own links to acne on our dairy and sugar pages, so it is hard to separate the effects.
What to do
If you suspect chocolate, notice whether breakouts follow it over several weeks and decide for yourself. Nothing here says everyone has to avoid it.
Questions people ask
That is unresolved. The 2021 review says the roles of cocoa, dark chocolate and milk chocolate are still unclear, so we cannot say.
Research
Selected studies and reviews on does chocolate cause acne?. Each link opens the abstract on PubMed. This is background reading, not a substitute for advice from a dermatologist.
- Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne Vulgaris.Caperton C et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2014 · PMID 24847404Note: Double-blind trial, 14 men.
- Diet and acne: review of the evidence from 2009 to 2020.Dall'Oglio F et al. Int J Dermatol, 2021 · PMID 33462816Note: Systematic review.
General information, not dietary or medical advice. These guides describe what studies found and how strong the evidence is. Talk to a doctor or dietitian if you have a condition, are pregnant or are changing your diet or supplements.