Are Eggs Causing Your Acne Breakouts?
I think it’s safe to say that when the majority of people think about the benefits of eggs they think of how nutritionally rich eggs are. They provide an excellent source of protein, an adequate amount of fat, and offer hard to get nutrients like vitamin D and choline. Who wouldn’t want to incorporate eggs into their diet?
The acne prone person, that’s who. What? Huh? Eggs play a role in acne? I was just as surprised when I discovered the link between consuming eggs and acne. Let me break down why eggs may be contributing to your current acne breakouts. I’m going to start with the one that surprised me the most:
1. Albumin-the protein found in egg whites. This protein can be extremely hard for the digestive system to break down. With excess albumin not breaking down properly, albumin can deposit in your lymphatic system leading to a clogged lymphatic system. A clogged lymphatic system leads to inflammation. What is acne? Inflammation of the skin. I don’t believe western medicine gives the lymphatic system enough credit. This system runs literally throughout your entire body and is known as the body’s “sewage system.” It maintains fluid levels in our tissues by removing all fluids that leak out of our blood vessels, it fights hard to ward off any cold or viruses, and is a major part of the detoxification pathways in the body.
*As you can see in this photo of myself, I was suffering from huge cystic breakouts where many of our lymph nodes are located-underside of the neck. If you’re noticing similar breakouts and are consuming eggs regularly (a couple times a week, if not daily) you may want to remove them from your diet for 30 days to see if it brings you any relief.
2. Biotin: Wait, but isn’t biotin supposed to be good for the skin and hair? You’re not wrong. Biotin is good for the skin and hair, but eggs have a high content of biotin. So, if you’re already taking a biotin containing supplement (check your multivitamins) and eating eggs on top of that, it might be just enough to cause an excessive amount of biotin within your system. Too much biotin can stimulate keratin in high proportions, causing hyperkeratosis, which is one of the genetic root causes of acne. Ever heard everything in moderation? This is an excellent example of that.
3. Excessive Progesterone: Ah, just when you thought hormones wouldn’t be brought up. (I feel like that's what western doctors associate acne with, right?) Well, excessive progesterone found in eggs is important to shed light on. Your body naturally creates its own progesterone, so by consuming eggs you are also consuming extra hormones which can disrupt your body’s natural levels.
It’s important to note that each person will have a different tolerance level and different modes of reactivity to progesterone. If you are on medications, like birth control which tends to have high progesterone present, then excess egg consumption can lead to acne. Not to mention if you eat dairy products as well. Dairy products are also pumped with hormones, so just how much progesterone are you flooding your body with? What I’m trying to say here is that comparing yourself to cousin Suzy who eats 3 eggs every single morning and doesn't have a single breakout won’t explain why YOU are breaking out by eating eggs every so often.
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Remember that every BODY is unique and is going to function a little differently. Focus on YOU and your acne journey. Try eliminating eggs from your diet for 30 days. Are your breakouts becoming less frequent? Is your skin less inflamed? You can then reintroduce eggs and wait 72 hours to see if you have an acne reaction. If you do, this is a sign that eggs need to stay out of your diet for a longer period of time and that focusing on some gut healing and digestive support might be in your future.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Xo,
Candice