Protein Supplements and Acne: Separating Fact from Fiction

Many people are familiar with the side effect of protein supplements: acne. However, the real culprit causing acne may not be the supplements themselves.

Those who work out diligently to build muscle and take protein supplements may worry about acne at least once. Studies have been published suggesting acne can be a side effect of consuming whey protein, the liquid remaining after cheese is made from milk.

However, consuming whey protein does not necessarily cause acne. There is also a high possibility of acne occurring due to a wrong diet.

Looking at studies on protein supplements and acne, it is explained that acne occurs in healthy adults after consuming whey protein, and whey protein could be part of dairy products that promote acne.

The leading cause of acne is the increased concentration of hormones insulin and IGF-1. Milk and dairy products contribute to the increase in plasma concentration of these hormones. The rise of insulin and IGF-1 leads to an increase in androgen receptors, follicles, sebum, and follicular inflammation.

So, if someone taking protein supplements stops consuming products with whey protein, will their acne disappear? The international acne specialist website acne.org reported that while whey protein intake can contribute to the rise of insulin and IGF-1, these two hormones are more significantly affected by the amount of calories consumed.

In the study “Appetite and Endocrine Regulators of Energy Balance After 2 Days of Energy Restriction: Insulin, Leptin, Ghrelin, and DHEA‐S,” it was found that individuals on a low-calorie diet exhibited lower insulin levels compared to those on a high-calorie diet.

Another paper showed that when a low-calorie diet was consumed, the IGF-1 concentration was significantly lower than that of the group consuming a moderate amount of calories. Thus, regardless of whether whey protein is consumed, a higher calorie intake results in higher insulin and IGF-1 concentrations.

Indeed, the studies that discussed the correlation between protein supplements and acne (Incidence of acne vulgaris in young adult users of protein-calorie supplements in the city of João Pessoa, Acne and whey protein supplementation among bodybuilders) did not consider the total calorie intake data.

Another point to consider is that people taking protein supplements usually aim for bulking up and muscle growth, and they often consume high-calorie diets in addition to the supplements. Therefore, if acne occurs after taking protein supplements, it does not necessarily mean that the supplements are the cause. However, for those who are lactose intolerant and cannot digest milk and dairy products, whey protein could potentially be a cause of acne.

In conclusion, if you start working out and suddenly get a lot of acne, it’s a good idea to check your whey protein intake, your diet, and whether you’ve been washing off sweat promptly after workouts. Also, those who are lactose intolerant or concerned about whey protein can look for supplements to consume containing ‘plant-based protein.’

By. Soo Jung Shin