Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Creatine?Side EffectsAcne CausesPreventing Breakouts
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Creatine?
Side Effects
Acne Causes
Preventing Breakouts
Creatine can be taken to improve physical performance and enhance workouts.There is concern among users that it can causeacneor other skin issues. However,creatinedoes not cause acne. If someone has acne while taking creatine, it is likely due to something else.
This article will discuss what creatine is, its side effects, and its relationship with acne. It will also cover how to prevent acne while taking creatine.
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What Exactly Is Creatine?
Creatine is a nonproteinamino acid. It is an energy source for muscle contraction used during heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.
Approximately 95% of creatine is found in theskeletal muscle. The rest is in the brain, heart, and other areas.
People will take creatine supplements for several reasons. One of the most popular reasons is to increase the creatine in their muscles to improve their athletic and physical performance. Other reasons include:
Common Forms of Creatine
The most commonly studied form of creatine is creatine monohydrate.Other forms of creatine include:
With research heavily focused on creatine monohydrate and its proven effectiveness, safety, and low cost, it is the most used form of creatine.
Creatine Side Effects: Is Acne One of Them?
Creatine is a supplement for people looking to increase muscle mass and improve their physical performance. Because of this, it is sometimes confused with steroids.
Steroids taken as a prescription or for bodybuilding can cause acne.Creatine does not cause acne.
There are other possible side effects from taking creatine. One of the more common side effects is water retention. Other possible side effects include:
Another possible side effect of creatine is hair loss. A 2009 study showed an increased likelihood of hair loss in men who took creatine.The study has since not been replicated.
How Anabolic Steroids and Corticosteroids Differ
Causes of Acne While Supplementing Creatine
If someone has acne while taking a creatine supplement, the cause is something other than creatine.
It could be that they are exercising andsweating more. Exercise and perspiration cause a buildup ofbacteriaand dirt on the skin, which can lead to acne.
How to Prevent Acne Breakouts
Preventing acne breakouts takes a little planning and care to keep the skin clean. For someone who exercises regularly, here are a few tips toprevent breaking out:
Summary
There is concern that creatine causes acne. Research has not shown this to be accurate. In fact, topically applied creatine can improve the skin’s appearance. Creatine’s link with acne is likely due to people exercising more while they take the supplement, which causes more sweating and bacteria buildup on the skin.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Creatine supplements.
Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al.International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
Kreider RB, Stout JR.Creatine in health and disease.Nutrients. 2021;13(2):447. doi:10.3390/nu13020447
DermNet.Steroid acne.
Melnik B, Jansen T, Grabbe S.Abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids and bodybuilding acne: an underestimated health problem.J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2007;5(2):110-117. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06176.x
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is your workout causing your acne?
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