How Coffee Affects Our Skin

Article by Marin Whitley

The relationship between diet and skin health is complex and influenced by many internal factors. As one of the most widely consumed beverages with physiological effects, coffee has become an area of interest in understanding potential contributors to acne.

Does Coffee Truly Affect the Skin?

There is not enough evidence to prove that coffee alone causes breakouts. However, coffee can affect the body in ways that may exacerbate acne.

Acne results from factors such as hormones, stress, and diet. Coffee, primarily due to its caffeine content, can influence these by affecting cortisol levels, sleep, and oil production. While not a direct cause, coffee's indirect effects may increase breakouts for some people.

How Coffee Causes Acne

Sugar and Dairy in Coffee

Many people like their drinks to be loaded up with fun flavors, a lot of cream, or sweet syrups. But one of the main reasons people experience acne related to coffee is because of what they add to it.

Regularly consuming sugary drinks like flavored lattes, caramel beverages, mochas, and syrup-based coffees can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, potentially triggering hormonal changes that contribute to acne.

Dairy is common in most coffee drinks, with many drinks containing more milk than coffee. Many studies have shown that acne prevalence increases with higher milk consumption. One study at Johns Hopkins pooled data from many studies and found that milk drinkers had a 16% higher likelihood of developing acne than non-consumers. Milk contains hormones that increase sebum production and trigger insulin and IGF-1 spikes, which in turn boost oil production and clog pores.

Coffee and Sleep

Coffee may disrupt sleep when consumed later in the day. Poor sleep can heighten stress levels and further disrupt hormone balance. Maintaining healthy sleep patterns is important for skin repair, and limiting coffee intake later in the day can help support this.

Increased Oil Production

Caffeine may stimulate glands in the body that influence oil production, potentially leading to excess sebum on the skin. When the skin has an excess of oil, the pores can become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.

Caffeine and Stress

A greater caffeine intake can lead to a heightened stress response, increasing the body’s cortisol levels. Higher cortisol levels can increase oil production and contribute to acne formation. Some individuals find that reducing caffeine intake during periods of high stress may help maintain more balanced hormone levels and reduce acne.

The Benefits of Coffee

While coffee may have some negative effects on the skin, there are still some benefits. Coffee contains antioxidants that benefit your skin's health by fighting free radicals that contribute to skin aging. These antioxidants reduce inflammation, leading to healthier skin when used in moderation. Coffee is also used in skincare products, as its extracts may improve circulation and reduce puffiness.

How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship with Coffee

You can still maintain healthy skin without sacrificing your love for coffee. By implementing these strategies in your daily life, you can significantly reduce the risk of breakouts:

Try Alternatives

Instead of loading your coffee with dairy and sugar, consider using milk alternatives such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk, which are high in nutrients and vitamins and do not contain the hormones found in cow’s milk. If coffee is consistently causing acne problems, even without milk and sugar, try switching to decaf coffee, which has less caffeine and provides antioxidant benefits.

Hydrate

Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, which may contribute to dehydration if fluid intake is not balanced. Instead of only having a cup of coffee, have a glass of water to go along with it.

Drink in Moderation

Limiting your coffee intake, even to one cup per day, can help maintain a balance in hormone levels.

Drinking Earlier in the Day

Drinking coffee earlier in the day can reduce sleep disruption, leading to healthier sleep patterns.

It’s All About Balance

While coffee doesn’t directly cause acne, it affects your hormones, stress levels, and overall skin condition. Adding dairy and sugar is a major reason why some people experience breakouts associated with coffee.

When drinking coffee, the most important thing to remember is the importance of balance, so listen to your body and adjust your patterns and habits to enjoy coffee while still enjoying clear skin.

Sources

Crowell, J. (2025, April 3). Does coffee cause acne? A dermatologist’s perspective. Satori Dermatology & Wellness. https://satorimd.com/does-coffee-cause-acne/

Does coffee cause acne? 5 skincare habits to prevent acne. Palm Beach Dermatology Group. (2026, March 11). https://palmbeachdermatologygroup.com/does-coffee-cause-acne/

Is milk bad for acne? How dairy triggers breakouts. ScienceInsights. (2026, May 1). https://scienceinsights.org/is-milk-bad-for-acne-how-dairy-triggers-breakouts/

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board