Does chocolate cause acne?
Milk chocolate scores 29. The problem is less the cocoa than what comes with it: 27 g of sugar in a 50 g bar, plus milk powder. Diets with a lot of fast sugar are linked to more acne. In a 12-week trial, young men on a low-glycemic diet had fewer spots than those who ate as usual. Dark chocolate with 85% cocoa has far less sugar and scores 68.
Milk chocolate50 g · 265 kcal
293 g protein · 29 g carbs · 16 g fat per serving
What the scan likes
- Can provide a quick energy boost.
- Contains some beneficial antioxidants from cocoa.
- Offers a comforting and enjoyable treat in moderation.
What pulls the score down
- High in calories, which can contribute to weight gain if overconsumed.
- Very high in added sugar (27g), which can negatively impact clear skin and body fat goals.
- Contains a significant amount of fat (16g), including saturated fat.
Better swap
68
Dark chocolate (85%)+39 points · Clear skin 70
Sources
- A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patientsSmith RN et al., Am J Clin Nutr (2007)
- Acne and your dietAmerican Academy of Dermatology
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Scanned with the Clear Food app on 29 September 2026. Values are estimates. Not medical advice.