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The western diet is typically composed of high-glycemic foods, which have shown in various researches conducted, to cause acne episodes. These foods with an elevated glycemic index (GI) include industrial sugar and starchy foods like milk, breads, cereals, grains, and processed foods.

As some studies report, the increase in the level of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin hormone in the human body system, produces the rise of testosterone level in men. Then, as the secretion of sebaceous glands is directly affected by testosterone, increased testosterone brings about an excessive sebum production. The oil or sebum produced inside the body may clog the pores of the skin, forming a bacteria-friendly condition and thus triggering acne vulgaris. Also, there is an overproduction of skin cells caused by the previously mentioned hormones, further aggravating the clogging of the pores and nourishing the acne-causing bacteria.

A certain study conducted had discovered that participants who only consume natural foods rather than the highly refined foods common in a western diet, showed minor or no acne problems at all.

Furthermore, they conducted the same study on immigrants living in westernized areas. Surprisingly, these persons, who used to eat just natural foods and did not ever experienced acne before, have acquired the condition when they arrived to their actual western home and have adapted the western diet including highly refined foods. Also, consumption of western diet in young adolescents causes a strong increase in the sex hormones, producing an even higher incidence of acne.

Researches have also demonstrated that too much caffeine can also increase the levels of stress hormones inside the body. The high amounts of these stress hormones can further trigger the development of acne, or exacerbate existing acne conditions. The western diet commonly includes high-caffeine beverages, like soda, tea, and coffee.

Other researches have also shown the importance of the significant amounts of dairy products and red meats in the western diet to the incidence of acne skin problems. This protein diet increases the levels of IGF-1, which, as stated earlier, can also increase testosterone levels, indirectly over stimulating the secretion of sebum, as well.

Studies further show that dietary changes concentrating on low glycemic carbohydrates, like vegetables and fruits, have beneficial endocrine effects that are therapeutically efficient in treating acne. Such positive endocrine variations maintain a healthy skin and a healthy growth of its cells, as well as promote normal secretion of sebum.

Although there is still no sound evidence on the influence of certain foods in the western diet and acne formation, it is still best to control the amounts (neither too little nor too much) of whatever types of food that we consume.