Twin study highlights environmental factors that may aggravate acne

They also analyzed 56 pairs of identical twins with acne, who reported different severities, and found that the twin with more severe acne was more likely to report that sun exposure (P = .048), cosmetic product use (P = .002), and sugar intake (P = .048) aggravated their acne. Refined carbohydrates, as an aggravating factor, approached statistical significance, they said.

A separate analysis of 45 pairs of female identical twins with different degrees of acne severity produced similar findings. There were no significant difference between acne severity groups in terms of menstruation flare frequency or with oral contraceptive use. The twin with more severe acne, however, “was more likely to report aggravation of acne with sun exposure,” cosmetic use, and sugar intake, all associations which reached statistical significance. They were also more likely to report that refined carbohydrates and intake of fried foods aggravated their acne, associations that approached statistical significance.

“This twin study provides further support for reducing intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates to decrease acne severity in susceptible individuals,” the authors wrote. “For females, reducing intake of fried foods may also help,” they added.

There’s a twist to their results: The finding that those with more severe acne reported worsening symptoms with sun exposure “conflicts with prior research, which has found that acne improves with sun,” the authors wrote, adding that “perhaps the data was confounded by comedogenic sunscreen use.”
No specific study funding was reported. The study authors reported no disclosures.

SOURCE: Suggs A et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018 Apr;17(4):380-2.