If you’re prone to acne, you likely want to avoid any foods or beverages that may exacerbate your skin condition – so can sparkling water cause acne?
Fortunately for those who enjoy sparkling water, the answer is no. There is no evidence to suggest that unflavored and unsweetened carbonated water causes acne. In fact, since the beverage hydrates our bodies and skin the same as regular water, drinking sparkling water may contribute to healthier skin overall when compared to other beverages.
Avoid Sugar and Other Sweeteners
If you are worried about acne, you should avoid sparkling water that contains artificial sweeteners. When you sweat them out, artificial sweeteners may cause inflammation, blocked pores and acne. Fortunately, the vast majority of sparkling water brands do not contain artificial sweeteners – or sweeteners of any kind.
Those predisposed to acne should also avoid foods and beverages with excessive sugar. Too much sugar can lead to hormonal imbalances, which ultimately may worsen acne. It can also have a detrimental impact on our teeth. Happily, most sparkling water does not contain any sugar. And the brands that do contain sugar have an almost insignificant amount of it.
Beverages That Make Acne Worse
Soda, sports drinks, and juices rank high on the glycemic index – a measurement of how much a food raises one’s blood sugar. These sugary drinks can contribute to diminished skin health and variety of diet-related diseases.
High glycemic index foods can also worsen acne. They increase our insulin levels, which help to control the hormones our bodies produce.
The glut of insulin produced by high glycemic index foods causes our skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more natural oils. When that oil builds up as a result of the foods and beverages we consume, there is a greater chance that our pores will become clogged. With clogged pores comes acne.
If you struggle with acne, avoid the following beverages:
- Soda
- Beer
- Fruit Juice
- Sports Drinks
- Beverages with artificial sweeteners
The Effects of Sparkling Water On Our Skin
Our skin contains about 64% water. In additions to being a necessity for life, water is crucial for your skin’s health. Drinking more water can contribute to a healthy glow, and softer and more attractive skin.
Water improves skin elasticity, reduces the likelihood of cracking, and actually makes your skin thicker and denser. As a result, it can even make you less prone to sunburns.
Since sparkling water hydrates us as well as flat water, we can rely on it for the same amazing benefits. And because of its enjoyable fizziness, you may find yourself hydrating even more frequently than you would with regular water, which can do wonders for your skin.
Washing Your Face with Sparkling Water
Aside from drinking sparkling water, some skincare and beauty enthusiasts have found another creative use for it: facial cleansing.
First popularized in Japan and South Korea, washing your face with sparkling water purportedly helps to increase blood circulation and helps to clear pores. Fans of this beauty treatment claim that since sparkling water has roughly the same pH as our skin, it’s the perfect facial cleanser.
Do Carbonated Drinks Cause Acne?
No evidence has shown carbonation in beverages to have any effect on our skin’s health — whether it be acne or any other skin condition. Sparkling water does not cause acne, and nor does carbonation inherently.
While some carbonated beverages cause acne, it’s not because they are carbonated. Often, carbonated drinks contain large amounts of sugar. Sugar can contribute to hormonal imbalances that increase the likelihood of acne.
Additionally, many alcoholic drinks are carbonated. Alcohol does not inherently cause acne, but it can affect your hormones, which in turn can contribute to acne. What’s more, many alcoholic beverages rank high on the glycemic index — another tick in the negative column when it comes to acne.
Beverages That Help Fight Acne
The drinks we consume undoubtedly have an impact on our skin’s health. And aside from water, there are other beverages that can make our skin smoother, stronger, and less prone to acne. Drink these tasty thirst-quenchers to help bring out your best skin:
Matcha or Green Tea
The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea can help reduce skin irritation, redness and swelling associated with acne. They contain methylxanthines, which can help to improve blood circulation in your skin.
Matcha is a finely ground powder of processed green tea. Think of it as a supercharged version of green tea; it contains 137 times more antioxidants. Matcha can help to reduce (oil) sebum production in skin. Buildup of oil is a common contributor to acne, so reducing its production can help to reduce acne.
What’s more, you can either drink or topically apply these beverages to receive their skincare benefits. They are commonly included in skincare products and facial masks.
Kefir
It turns out that our gut health can have an impact on acne. To avoid disrupting your body’s natural bacterial microbiome, it’s important to get enough sleep, avoid processed foods, and limit stress. However, if you feel like your gut could use a little rebalancing, kefir may be a good start.
A fermented milk beverage that can be described in taste as similar to a thin yogurt, kefir is a powerful probiotic, meaning it introduces good bacteria into our bodies. Good bacteria can help our bodies reduce inflammation – including inflammation associated with acne.
Spearmint Tea
A 2015 study by the American Academy of Dermatology found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea daily reduced acne by about 25% after one month. In three months, the beverage was able to reduce participants’ acne by an astounding 50%.
Similar to green tea, spearmint tea works by reducing sebum production in our skin. When our skin produces less oil, it tends to produce less acne.
Visit Your Dermatologist for Medical Advice
Sparkling water does not cause acne, and it may even help in treating it. But, it probably won’t help as much as other treatments.
Most cases of acne can be treated using over-the-counter options including facial washes and medicinal products. These treatments can be augmented by the foods and beverages we choose to consume — including hydration with sparkling water.
However, beverages can only do so much. If you are experiencing a particularly stubborn or extreme case of acne, be sure to visit a dermatologist. They will likely create a personalized treatment plan, and they may provide prescription medication to more effectively treat your acne.