You might have heard that eating greasy foods, dairy or sweets can contribute to acne. For the most part, that’s not true. The main trigger of acne are the hormones that stimulate the oil glands and produce sebum, which clogs or blocks pores. Bacteria grows inside those pores and they become inflamed, resulting in breakouts. Major hormonal changes happen no matter what you eat. Common causes of hormonal changes include the teenage years (puberty) and menstrual cycles. What you eat might impact your acne a bit, though. Studies have found that consuming high amounts simply sugars and non-fat dairy products could increase your severity of acne.