What lifestyle modifications should I recommend to patients with acne vulgaris?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 14 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

When recommending lifestyle modifications to patients with acne vulgaris, you should provide clear, tailored information covering skin care, diet, and general habits ,.

  • Skin Care:
    • Advise patients to use a non-alkaline (skin pH neutral or slightly acidic) synthetic detergent cleansing product twice daily on acne-prone skin ,.
    • They should avoid oil-based and comedogenic skin care products, including moisturisers and sunscreens ,.
    • If using make-up, advise them to avoid oil-based and comedogenic products and to remove make-up at the end of the day ,.
    • Emphasise that acne is not caused by poor hygiene, and over-cleaning the skin should be avoided as it can cause dryness and irritation .
  • Diet:
    • Inform patients that there is not enough evidence to support specific diets for treating acne ,.
    • However, you can provide general advice on how to maintain a healthy diet, referring to resources like Public Health England's Eatwell Guide for information on a balanced diet and overall wellbeing ,.
    • Emerging data suggests that high glycaemic index (GI) diets may exacerbate acne . Foods inconclusively linked with acne include milk, whey proteins, and dairy or meat products high in leucine . Conversely, diets with sufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids and gamma-linoleic acid may be associated with reduced acne lesions .
  • General Habits:
    • Advise patients that persistent picking or scratching of acne lesions can increase the risk of scarring ,.

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