WHY SUGAR MIGHT NOT BE CAUSING YOUR ACNE — BUT FATTY FOODS COULD BE

lynn rodriguez
Jul 22
2 min read

For years, sugar has been blamed for everything from breakouts to brain fog. And yes — too much sugar can trigger inflammation and imbalance. But what if sugar isn’t the only culprit behind your acne?

If you’ve cut back on sweets and your skin still isn’t clearing up, there’s another ingredient worth looking at: fatty, greasy foods.

Let’s break down how these foods might be showing up on your skin.

🍔 The Problem With Processed Fats

Not all fats are bad. In fact, your body and skin need healthy fats to stay balanced. But highly processed, hydrogenated, or deep-fried fats? That’s a different story.

When your diet includes too many:

Fried fast foods
Greasy takeout meals
Chips and ultra-processed snacks
Cheap cooking oils (canola, vegetable blends)

...your body becomes more prone to internal inflammation, hormonal disruption, and excess oil production — all of which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

🧪 What the Science Suggests

Emerging research suggests that omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in high amounts in processed oils, may throw off the skin’s balance when not properly balanced with omega-3s (like those in flax, walnuts, or chia).

Too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3 = inflammatory skin conditions, including acne.

🤔 But What About Sugar?

Yes, sugar can still spike insulin and trigger breakouts — but if you’ve cut back on sugar and still notice breakouts, fatty or greasy meals could be the missing link.

🚫 Common Offenders to Watch For

Fast food (fried chicken, burgers, fries)
Dairy-heavy meals with added oils
Snacks labeled “low sugar” but high in fat or oils
Takeout meals with processed sauces

Even “healthy” packaged snacks can be loaded with the wrong fats.

✅ What to Eat Instead (Skin-Safe Fats)

Swap This...	For This...
Canola/vegetable oil	Cold-pressed olive or avocado oil
Fried foods	Baked, steamed, or air-fried meals
Cheese-heavy snacks	Coconut yogurt, avocado, nuts
Chips and crackers	Raw nuts, roasted chickpeas, flax crackers

💛 The SimpleLynn Philosophy

We’re not anti-fat. We’re pro-balance.

When your skin feels out of balance, your diet usually is too.

That’s why all SimpleLynn blends use clean, anti-inflammatory ingredients — never artificial oils or processed fillers. Just what your body recognizes and your skin thanks you for.