Acne-Safe Dairy Alternatives

by Emily Linehan on January 31, 2022
Updated July 13, 2022

Dairy is one of the most triggering foods for those who are acne-prone. I can usually tell by seeing a client's skin if they have been consuming dairy. The dead giveaway is tender, inflamed acne lesions found mostly on the cheeks, but sometimes the jawline and chin as well.

Learn more about the Link Between Dairy and Acne

Eliminate all Dairy, such as: 

• Butter
• Cheese
• Coffee Creamer
• Greek Yogurt
• Ice Cream
• Milk
• Yogurt/Frozen Yogurt

So now that I have given you all the bad news, here is the good news: there ARE amazing alternatives to dairy, and some that are even more delicious than the dairy versions! Here are some of my favorite acne safe alternatives:

Milk Alternatives

There are several milk alternatives (just make sure they do not contain soy):

• Malk Organics (almond & oat milk) 
• Califia Farms Plant Milks (almond, coconut & oat)
• Forager Project Plant Milks (cashew, coconut & oat)
• Three Trees (almond & pistachio)
• Oatly Oatmilk Chilled
• Milkadamia Macadamia Milk
• Blue Diamond Almond Breeze
• Kirkland Almond Milk

Creamer Alternatives

For coffee creamers, most coffee houses have almond milk or coconut milk as an option. Also, there are amazing almond milk and coconut milk creamers at the grocery store!

• NutPods
• Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk Creamer
• Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss Plant Based Creamers (almond, coconut & oat)
• Califia Farms Creamers (all types)
• So Delicious Dairy Free Creamers (oat & coconut)

Yogurt Alternatives

For yogurt/greek yogurt, there are almond milk and coconut version available at most health food stores (or the health food section in most grocery stores).

• Culina
• Coconut Cult Yogurt
• Trader Joe’s Cashew Yogurt
• So Delicious Dairy Free Yogurt (oat & coconut)
• Chobani Coconut Milk Yogurt
• Kite Hill Almond, Greek & Coconut Milk Yogurt
• CoYo Coconut Yogurt
• Forager Cashew Milk Yogurt

Ice Cream Alternatives

For acne safe ice cream, look for the versions made with coconut milk or almond milk…although my personal favorite is cashew milk ice cream! It is better than the real thing!

• So Delicious Dairy Free Ice Cream (cashew, oat, almond & coconut)
• Halo Top Dairy Free
• Cado Ice Cream
• Oatly Frozen Desserts
• Haagen Dazs Non-Dairy Ice Cream
• NadaMoo! Ice Cream
• Cool Haus Dairy Free

Cheese Alternatives

When looking for dairy free cheese alternatives, be sure to double check that they aren't soy either. Instead look for brands that are made from nuts, like Parmela Creamery, Kite Hill Cheese, Daiya and Heidi Ho Cheese.

• Parmela Creamery Cheese
• Daiya Cheese
• Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta
• Violife Cheeses
• Siete Blanco Cashew Queso
• Nooch It! Grated "Parm" Cashew Cheeze
• Miyoko's Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella

Butter Alternatives

• Milkadamia Buttery Spread
• WayFare Dairy-Free Butter
• Melt Organic Butter

These are just a few of my favorites, but there are so many dairy-free options available at any grocery store which makes avoiding this acne trigger not only easy but also delicious!

xoxo, Emme

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