According to the search results, drinking orange juice is not good for people who struggle with acne. Freshly squeezed orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, which helps control the immune system and renew collagen, but it is also packed with sugar, which is not good for the skin. A single cup of freshly squeezed orange juice contains 21 grams of sugar and does not contain any of the good fiber of whole fruits and vegetables. The processed versions from the grocery store might have 30-40 grams of sugar in a single cup. These vast amounts of sugar outweigh any advantage that vitamin C may have for acne. The sugar problem in orange juice is actually worse. 50% of the sugar in orange juice is in the form of fructose processed in our body differently than glucose. Fructose is transformed into glycogen and later to fat more rapidly than glucose. Lack of fiber in orange juice enhances fructose absorption and causes spikes in insulin and other growth factors that were shown to increase the risk for acne.
However, some articles suggest that orange juice can be beneficial for the skin in general. For example, orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, which is an essential ingredient in collagen production and can help to keep the skin healthy. Additionally, the citric acid in oranges can help control acne by drying out the acne and controlling oil.
In summary, while orange juice may have some benefits for the skin in general, it is not recommended for people who struggle with acne due to its high sugar content. Alternatives to drinking orange juice for people with acne-prone skin are whole oranges that contain only 10 grams of sugar per orange and fiber that slows down the fructose absorption, clementines that are easy to peel, and have less sugar than oranges. If you have acne, your best alternatives would be green vegetable smoothies with broccoli or kale containing no sugar, a lot of fiber, and good nutrients.
