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Does tortilla chips cause acne?
Photo: Polina Tankilevitch / Pexels
Tortilla chips is unlikely to be a breakout trigger for most people.
One serving brings a high glycemic load (fast sugar, which raises insulin) and a little saturated fat or omega-6. It also gives polyphenols, which the research links to calmer skin.
Why this score
- Glycemic: 18 g carbs at GI 63 = glycemic load 11.3 (high). Fast sugar raises insulin, and insulin can lift skin oil and clog pores.
- Dairy: none.
- Inflammation: 1.1 g saturated fat and 2.2 g omega-6, a small load.
- Skin Boost: medium polyphenols, which small trials link to fewer inflamed spots (+5).
Score breakdown
| Axis | What it measures | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Glycemic | Glycemic load GL 11.3 | −20.1 / 50 |
| Dairy | Dairy grams (milk hormones) | −0 / 25 |
| Inflammation | Saturated fat + omega-6 | −7 / 25 |
| Skin Boost | Omega-3 + polyphenols | +5 / 25 |
| Skin Score | 78 / 100 · GOOD |
Nutrition in one serving (28 g)
| Carbs | 18 g · GI 63 |
|---|---|
| Dairy | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.1 g |
| Omega-6 | 2.2 g |
| Omega-3 | 0 g |
| Polyphenols | medium |
Estimates for a typical serving eaten with a meal. Real foods vary by brand and recipe.
Not medical advice. This score is for tortilla chips on its own. What you eat with it changes the result: protein and fat slow the sugar spike, and breakouts usually show up 3 to 7 days after a meal, which is why SpotBite tracks your meals over time rather than judging one food. Diet is one factor among many (hormones, genetics, skincare, stress, sleep).
See your own pattern
Scan what you actually eat and SpotBite shows which foods line up with your breakouts a few days later. Free on iPhone and Android.
Related foods
- White rice 61
- Brown rice 74
- White bread 67
- Whole grain bread 87
- Tortilla 77
- Naan 57
- Pita bread 65
- French fries 51