Tomatoes are incredibly healthy, which is why it’s kind of a good thing your average American eats between 22 and 24 pounds of tomatoes annually. However, tomatoes may have some drawbacks. While you wouldn’t think a vegetable would be bad for you, you need to watch how many you’re consuming because they have been linked with acne outbreaks in certain individuals. 

Here at Stryx, we’re dedicated to helping men feel better with their skin. If you have any questions about tomatoes and acne, we’re here to answer them. Let’s get started!

Tomatoes and Acne

The reason tomatoes are linked with acne is due to them belonging to the nightshade family. In addition to tomatoes, other commonly-eaten foods that belong to this family include:

• Eggplants
• Peppers
• Potatoes

Any of these foods could result in a breakout due to them containing a substance known as alkaloids. These are essentially poisons that help protect the plant, but they’re not fatal to humans. However, they can create inflammation within your gut and cause an acne outbreak on your skin. 

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Can Tomatoes Cause Acne?

Tomatoes can absolutely create acne breakouts, but it’s important to note that tomatoes are only a single possible cause of acne. It’s vital to look at multiple aspects of your diet to see if certain foods trigger inflammation. Chocolate has long been linked with acne, and while cheese isn’t as bad for your skin as once thought, it’s still crucial to look at your overall intake of dairy products to see if you need to cut back at all. 

Tomatoes may be particularly harmful to your skin if you have an allergy to them. You may break out in rashes after consuming tomatoes or having the food product come into contact with your skin. You should see your doctor for an allergy test to make sure tomatoes are what’s bothering you, and from there, you can take steps to cut them out of your diet. 

Are Tomatoes Good For Your Skin

While you should approach tomatoes with caution, they are proven to have benefits that could help your skin more than hurt it. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, and they’re a great source for the following nutrients.

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Magnesium

B vitamins in particular are great for your skin’s health as they have anti-aging properties. As a result, tomatoes can help immensely with the appearance of fine lines, age spots, and wrinkles. Tomatoes are also a great source of moisture, and if you’re prone to dry skin, then you may want to consider incorporating more tomatoes into your diet. 

Plus, tomatoes have also been found to help protect against skin cancer. Tomatoes have a nutrient known as lycopene, which has powerful anti-cancer properties. One study found that mice who consumed high quantities of tomato powder and then exposed to UV light developed fewer tumors than the control group. It’s good to get plenty of vegetables in your diet, and while you may be worried about acne and rashes, there are several good reasons for eating more tomatoes. 

How Do Tomatoes Help Acne

Eating tomatoes allows your body to access an array of helpful vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and C work wonders for your skin, so you can benefit by eating tomatoes every once in a while. However, there are some people who try to treat their acne by applying tomatoes directly to the skin.

A DIY treatment you can use at home involves mashing a fresh, organic tomato into a pulp. You then apply the mush onto your fash and leave it there for an hour. You then rinse it off and apply your moisturizer as normal. Before you do this, you should apply a little bit of tomato to your skin that isn’t affected by acne to make sure you don’t get an adverse reaction. 

Tomatoes are similar to peanuts in how it interacts with acne. Some people benefit greatly by having it in their diets while others will want to cut it out due to having an allergic reaction. 

Thus, while tomatoes may have a link to acne-related breakouts due to its connection with the nightshade family, tomatoes may also be helpful for the skin.

Unfortunately, before any firm claims can be made, more research still needs to be done on the connection between tomatoes and acne. 

How to Treat Your Acne

No one wants acne, but due to genetics, stress, or diet, pimples can come at a moment’s notice. Stryx’s concealer tool can help immediately, but you should also look into long-term treatments to get zits under control without just covering them up. 

There are various over-the-counter treatments you should try first. After a few weeks, if those have no effect, then you can speak with your dermatologist to look into more advanced methods. Additionally, it’s a good idea to consider your lifestyle and see if there’s anything you can do on your own to have clearer skin. Keep a food journal to track what you consume and when breakouts occur. You may be able to pinpoint the exact culprit so that you can then avoid such foods in the future.