Do Hot Cheetos Cause Acne? Acne Trigger Food Alert!

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When it comes to eating chips, one of the most popular brands is Cheetos. People often choose spicy hot Cheetos over the regular salted or funky flavors.

Dermatologists suggest avoiding spicy hot Cheetos because it will cause Acne. As a skin caring enthusiast, I have a question, do hot Cheetos really cause acne? 

The straightforward answer is Yes. Although there is no direct link between acne and consuming chips, but hot Cheetos and other spicy chips can cause acne. They have addictive ingredients and also contain acidic lycopene and even some potential carcinogens that trigger acne breakouts and cause irritation on the skin. 

Hot and spicy chips such as Cheetos seem like a good item to snack on. Unfortunately, some negative consequences come along with the temporary fun. Let’s take a closer look at how hot Cheetos can cause acne.

What Are Hot Cheetos? Let’s Introduce The Brand

The brand Cheetos was launched back in 1948 but it was not intentional. Cheetos were rather created by accident! A company in Wisconsin that produced animal feed wanted to clean their machine up. 

They placed moist corn and puffed it up which was later seasoned by the company owner. Then, around 1989, other flavors were introduced which made the brand more and more popular.

One of the most popular flavors of Cheetos is Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. This flavor has proven to be the most addictive out of all the other flavors of Cheetos. 

This is only because the amount of spice it includes causes a burning sensation in the mouth that stimulates the release of endorphins, a hormone that pleases people and makes them want to eat more. This is why it is difficult to get your hands off spicy foods once you try them.

Sadly, the pleasure of munching on a spicy snack does come with consequences you may or may not be ready to accept. The peppers used in such spicy chips are the leading cause of irritation on the skin. They include acidic lycopene which does cause breakouts and may worsen acne. 

What is the Addictive Ingredient in Cheetos? A Study And Report

Even science has confirmed that there is no doubt that Cheetos are addictive. Once you start eating them it becomes very difficult to stop yearning for more. Many medical professionals have compared it to a “mild opiate addiction”. 

The first reason on the list is the burning sensation from the pepper used in Cheetos. 

Moreover, according to a study by Oxford, the crunching sound produced when you bite into the puffed-up Cheetos tricks the brain into believing that it is making you fresh and that what you are eating tastes better than it is.

In addition, some of the ingredients that make Cheetos addictive are the salt coating around the chip and the starch of the potato. These flavors give the brain a sense of pleasure which is the perfect recipe to make Cheetos addictive. 

“Cheetos are addictive as your taste buds react to the pleasure in a very optimistic way.”~Raja, a medical professional.

What do Hot Cheetos do to your body? 

So far it has become quite obvious that Hot Cheetos may not be the best snack for your body or even your skin. It is mostly just a snack eaten with joy for pleasure. 

Cheetos are known to irritate the stomach which leads to other problems such as gastritis or inflammation. The amount of intense red food color causes it to come out red which sometimes scares parents who consumed Hot Cheetos, making them believe there is something seriously wrong with their child’s health. 

Spicy food such as Hot Cheetos sometimes reduces your appetite which may lead to weight loss. Well, it’s not the healthiest way to lose weight, but it might be seen as a benefit for spicy food lovers. 

Can Hot Cheetos Cause Acne? Let’s Explore

People often believe that it’s a rumor that Hot Cheetos or other spicy foods can cause acne. Unfortunately, this is not a rumor. The main cause behind acne breakouts is pores clogged by excess oil produced on the skin due to eating hot Cheetos. 

Acidic lycopene messes up the pH levels of your skin, causing acne and pimples. 

After a lot of research, medical professionals have found out that it is not just the acidic lycopene in spicy food but also the side effect of spicy chips which also include Hot Cheetos. 

Another result of eating spicy food like hot cheetos is the excess sweat produced by our sweat glands. When you eat something spicy, you often start to sweat. The beads of sweat that begin to drip down your face may cause your pores to get clogged and produce more oil which may result in more acne. 

Tip: “One of the secrets to having clear skin is a healthy diet!”

Has Anyone Experienced Cystic Acne after Eating Hot Cheetos?

Cystic acne is an inflammatory type of acne which is the most severe and stubborn type of acne as well.  In this type of acne, you experience painful pimples on your chin area and your cheeks that are filled with pus. 

Cystic acne is mainly caused by hormonal changes in the body. The person experiencing cystic acne may be pregnant, undergoing menopause, menstruation, or some other disease that causes changes in hormone levels. 

Spicy food may cause cystic acne because of sweat, acidic lycopene, or the endorphins released that also make spicy food addictive. 

A 26-year-old woman has experienced cystic acne after eating Hot Cheetos. She claims to have eaten clean for a few months and her skin had been doing well too.  However, after eating 2 family-sized bags of Hot Cheetos over the timespan of 2 weeks, she experienced breakouts that were not of regular acne but were of cystic acne.

Should you Avoid Eating Junk Food if you have Acne?

You might have heard that your diet does affect your skin. Well, it is true; the healthier your diet, the healthier your skin is! It is not just spicy food that causes acne or makes your acne worse. 

There are some other food items that you must avoid if you have acne as they may worsen the look of your acne scars or even initiate the growth of acne. 

Sugary foods with high levels of carbohydrates are one of the most common causes of acne as well. Eating foods such as pastries, chocolates, milkshakes, and sodas, once in a while will not cause much of a problem. 

However, if eaten frequently, you may experience worse acne. Even certain fast-food items such as burgers, burritos, french fries, hot dogs, and more may increase the risk of acne. 

FAQ

How to stop getting acne after eating spicy food?

One of the easiest solutions to prevent getting acne after eating spicy food is to wash your face after eating spicy food. 

Washing your face will eliminate extra oils and sebums produced on your skin which is the main cause of acne. Another method is to keep tissues or wipes with you so you can wipe the sweat off your face. 

Why are Cheetos banned in Europe?

The original Cheetos contains a very high level of a potential carcinogen called acrylamide. Due to this reason, Cheetos are strictly banned in Europe. 

Additionally, Cheetos also contain loads of yellow and red food colors that are thought to cause allergic reactions and even hyperactivity in young children. 

What food causes teenage acne?

There are many types of food that cause acne in teenagers. These foods include processed food items with high sugar or carbohydrate levels such as chips, cookies, crackers, potatoes, white bread, and even kinds of pasta. 

Final Verdict

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is not the best snack for people with acne-prone skin. Although they might be one of the most addictive snacks to ever exist, munching on them has its negative consequences. 

From this article, we have learned that it is not just spicy foods that cause acne, but there are sweet foods that cause acne as well. 

If you love Hot Cheetos, the idea of not eating them may be one of the most difficult decisions in your life. However, a healthy diet has its benefits for not just your body, but your skin as well. I hope none of your questions related to Hot Cheetos and Acne have been left unanswered in this article.