Does Creatine Cause Acne

Updated Sep,2020
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After taking creatine supplements, some people notice acne beginning to form. However, the creatine isn't directly causing the breakout. People who take these supplements do so to work out harder and longer, and the resulting sweat can clog pores and result in an acne breakout.

What is creatine?

Creatine is found naturally in your body. It helps supply energy to your body's cells. Many people take creatine supplements when they want to exercise more intensely. It gives them greater energy, so they work out harder and reap the benefits.

You also find creatine in certain foods, particularly meat, fish, and other animal-based products. In addition to greater energy, the benefits of creatine include:

  • Greater muscle mass
  • Improved exercise performance
  • Reduced tiredness and fatigue

Creatine supplements are actually great for the skin

A lot of people notice acne breakouts after taking creatine supplements. But the truth is that creatine is actually superb for your skin. Creatine is commonly found in lotions and facial creams to increase skin cell repair. This helps combat signs of aging and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

The issue lies in what people who take the supplements do afterward. When you take creatine, you usually go to the gym for an intense workout. This causes you to sweat more, and this sweat can mix with bacteria on the skin clogging up your pores. Clogged pores result in acne.

An athlete's diet may also contribute to a breakout. Dairy products have been linked to breakouts in people who are already prone to acne. So if you drink a lot of milk to gain calcium, it could also be leading to your acne.

While creatine doesn't cause acne, protein powder might

There are a lot of different protein powders out there. While a creatine-based one doesn't in and of itself cause acne, others might. Some of these powders contain milk byproducts. That dairy is what likely caused your acne.

However, you should also watch out for whey protein. One study found that whey stimulates insulin in the body, which regulates blood sugar as well as your skin's sebum production. Extra sebum, which is the oily substance in your glands, can clog your skin's pores and result in acne.

Other causes of acne breakouts

Sweating and dairy products are just a couple of the potential culprits behind acne breakouts. The following can also result in skin blemishes.

  • Dirty pillowcase - Grime, dirt, and oil can build up on your pillowcase if you don't wash it often enough. This material transfers to your face at night, and these materials end up clogging your pores. This is why you should wash your face nightly and wash your pillowcase every week.
  • Smoking - Tobacco smoke not only exposes you to cancer-causing chemicals, it also breaks down your skin's elastin and collagen, which lead to wrinkles. The carcinogens also irritate the skin, which results in it drying out and producing more oil to compensate. Excess oil production is one of the leading causes of acne.
  • Stress - When you're stressed out, your body produces more cortisol. This hormone overly stimulates your skin's oil glands. By relaxing and doing something that releases endorphins, which combat cortisol, you can help clear up your skin.

Here's the best ways to treat your acne

While acne breakouts and pimples are inevitable at some point in your life, it's not something you have to live with forever. There's a wide range of treatment options that have shown to combat those pesky red bumps for good.

  • Glycolic Acid: An alpha-hydroxy acid, this ingredient exfoliates dead skin cells and removes surface impurities. This stops your pores from clogging; preventing future breakouts.

Treat your acne fast! Get a prescription retinoid, today!




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