Does Creatine Cause Acne? Let’s Clear This Up
This question comes up all the time:
“I started taking creatine and now my skin is breaking out. Is that a thing?”
If that’s you, you’re not crazy — and you’re also not automatically doomed to choose between your workouts and your skin. The truth sits somewhere in the middle, and once you understand what’s actually going on, it becomes a lot less stressful.
Here’s the short version up front: creatine doesn’t directly cause acne. It doesn’t clog pores, it’s not inflammatory on its own, and it isn’t a hormone. But for some people — especially those who are already acne-prone — creatine can nudge the body in a way that allows acne to show up more easily.
Let’s talk about why.
FIRST, WHAT CREATINE ACTUALLY DOES IN THE BODY
Creatine isn’t some synthetic mystery supplement. Your body already makes it naturally, and you also get small amounts from foods like red meat and fish. When people supplement with creatine, it’s usually to help with strength, performance, and recovery during short, high-intensity exercise.
The most common form — creatine monohydrate — is one of the most researched supplements out there. From a medical standpoint, it’s considered very safe for most people. So when acne shows up after starting creatine, it’s understandable to feel confused.
That’s because acne isn’t just a skin issue. It’s deeply tied to hormones, oil production, inflammation, and genetics. And that’s where creatine can sometimes enter the picture.
WHY CREATINE CAN MAKE ACNE WORSE FOR SOME PEOPLE
One of the biggest reasons creatine gets linked to acne has to do with androgens, particularly a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Some research suggests that creatine supplementation may increase DHT levels in certain individuals. Not everyone — but some.
DHT is important because it strongly stimulates oil glands. If your skin is already sensitive to hormonal changes, even a small increase in androgen activity can mean more oil, more clogged pores, and more inflammation. This is why the acne that shows up with creatine often looks hormonal — along the jawline, chin, neck, or as deeper, more stubborn breakouts.
Another important piece that often gets overlooked is context. Most people don’t take creatine by itself. They’re also using protein powders, pre-workouts, or mass gainers. In our experience, whey protein is actually a much more common acne trigger than creatine. Whey can spike insulin and IGF-1, both of which push oil glands into overdrive.
So what happens? Creatine gets blamed, when the real issue might be the supplement stack as a whole.
There’s also the lifestyle shift that tends to come with starting creatine. People train harder. They sweat more. They spend more time in tight gym clothes. Sweat and friction don’t cause acne on their own, but they absolutely contribute — especially on the back, chest, shoulders, and jawline if sweat sits on the skin too long.
Put all of that together, and you can see how acne might flare without creatine being the sole villain.
WHY SOME PEOPLE BREAK OUT AND OTHERS DON’T
This is where genetics really matter.
Some people can take creatine for years and never see a single pimple. Others notice breakouts within weeks. That usually comes down to whether you already have a tendency toward hormonal or inflammatory acne.
If you’ve dealt with acne on and off for years, especially cystic or jawline acne, your skin is simply more reactive to internal shifts. Creatine doesn’t create acne out of thin air — it just has the potential to expose what was already there.
SO… SHOULD YOU STOP TAKING CREATINE?
Not necessarily.
If creatine is helping your workouts and overall well-being, stopping it immediately isn’t always the best move. Instead, it’s worth taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture.
Are you using whey protein? That’s often the first thing we suggest removing. Are you dehydrated? Creatine pulls water into muscle cells, and dehydration can weaken the skin barrier, making acne worse. Is your skincare routine too harsh? Over-cleansing and over-exfoliating can amplify inflammation and breakouts.
Sometimes, just simplifying supplements and supporting the skin barrier is enough to calm things down.
And sometimes… it’s not.
WHEN ACNE KEEPS PROGRESSING ANYWAY
If you’ve cleaned up your routine, adjusted supplements, and your acne is still getting deeper, more painful, or more persistent, that’s a sign that the issue goes beyond triggers.
This is where a lot of people get stuck. They keep changing supplements, diets, and skincare products, hoping to finally crack the code — and meanwhile, the acne keeps running the show.
That’s when it makes sense to shift the focus from what caused it to how to treat it effectively.
HOW AVICLEAR® FITS INTO THIS CONVERSATION
At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we work with a lot of people who are active, health-conscious, and tired of feeling like they have to micromanage every detail of their lifestyle just to keep their skin calm.
AviClear® is an FDA-cleared laser treatment that targets the oil glands themselves — the root of acne. No medications, no hormones, and no need to avoid supplements forever.
For many clients, AviClear® means they can keep training, keep living normally, and stop worrying that every small change will trigger a breakout. Results develop gradually over time, but they’re long-lasting — and life gets a lot simpler.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Creatine doesn’t directly cause acne, but it can make underlying acne more visible in people who are already prone to it. That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong — and it doesn’t mean you have to give up your fitness goals.
If acne is affecting your confidence, your routine, or your mental space, there are options that don’t involve endless trial and error.
🚀 Get your Treatment Estimate: https://www.clearacne.com/estimate
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