Is chocolate good or bad for your skin? Dermatologist explains

Is chocolate good or bad for your skin? According to dermatologist Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, the answer on the type of chocolate and how much of it you consume.

Dark chocolate (with 70% or more cocoa content) contains antioxidants known as flavonoids, which can:

• Improve blood circulation,
• Provide some protection against sun damage,
• Even enhance overall skin quality.

However, these benefits apply only to high-quality dark chocolate, not to milk chocolate or sugar-loaded varieties.

Chocolate high in sugar can spike insulin levels, which in turn stimulates androgen hormones. It could lead to:

• Increased sebum (skin oil) production,
• Inflammation and breakouts,
• Worsening of acne in some individuals.

Chocolate may also contain milk proteins, which can affect hormonal balance in certain people and further aggravate skin conditions.

It’s a myth that chocolate directly causes acne. But in some individuals, it can indeed worsen existing skin issues.

“Whether it's in chocolate or not, sugar should be consumed in moderation,” Dr. Hovhannisyan says. “And when it comes to chocolate, the darker, the better. No one ever died from skipping chocolate, but plenty have harmed their skin by overindulging in it.”