The severity of acne you experience on your skin can be affected by a number of different variables. Also, there are a plethora of acne subtypes to contend with.
You probably already know that there are numerous risk factors for developing acne, such as eating a diet high in sweets and generally poor cuisine, entering puberty, and so on.
Creatine supplementation has been linked to an increase in acne breakouts for many users. Then, how does creatine work, and how may it affect your skin? Find out what potential negative reactions there could be to a drug or supplement before you begin using it.
No there is no evidence that can prove that creatine cause acne. It actually helps you build muscle.
What is Creatine?
Creatine is an organic acid found in muscle tissue that serves as a fuel source during intense exercise. Athletes and bodybuilders frequently use creatine supplements to boost exercise efficiency, muscular growth, and strength.
Similarities in its chemical structure to amino acids are particularly notable. It is synthesised in the body from glycine and arginine. Phosphocreatine, the form in which most of your body’s creatine is kept, is found mostly in your muscles (peep, creatine)
Creatine and Its Varieties
Creatine supplements come in a wide variety, each with its own set of effects on the body. Creatine monohydrate is the most widely available kind. Muscle growth is aided in multiple ways by creatine monohydrate, which also aids in hydration, a factor that contributes to the supplement’s popularity.
There are other possible variants, such as:
These include:
- creatine hydrochloride,
- creatine ethyl ester,
- creatine magnesium chelate,
- creatine liquid,
- creatine with a buffer.
Can Creatine Cause Acne?
Creatine has not been shown to have any direct effect on acne by any means. Nonetheless, there are anecdotal accounts of persons taking creatine and then developing severe facial breakouts. Because of this, we still have no solution to our problem. Are pimples caused by creatine? Not in any obvious way.
Creatine does influence several places that have been connected to acne outbreaks, thus in some cases it may be a contributing factor. Supplementing with creatine, for instance, is associated with increased testosterone, which in turn might cause acne. Therefore, this may be a factor in the development of acne on the face.
Now, let’s take a quick look at the many reasons why creatine can lead to acne. Please note that the word “may” is used here since, according to the available literature, there is no solid proof linking creatine to acne.
Why Might Creatine Cause Acne?
The anecdotal data is suggestive, but additional research is needed to confirm a solid link between creatine and acne.
Creatine supplementation has been hypothesised to cause this effect because it raises dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Supplementing with creatine has been linked to a 50 percent increase in DHT levels in some studies.
The levels of your natural hormones have changed significantly. Therefore, those who are predisposed to hormonal acne may experience more frequent breakouts when using creatine. Individuals who take more creatine than is considered safe on a daily basis also tend to have more acne than those who do not.
The recommended daily dosage of creatine is 3–5 grammes, however some people take more in the hopes of faster results.
Increase in DHT Levels
Supplemental creatine is taken to increase testosterone levels. You’ll be able to push through with a few more reps or a higher weight while using this method.
Exogenous creatine supplementation has been shown to increase DHT, a consequence of testosterone. Increased levels of DHT are associated with male pattern baldness and can also cause acne in men.
The hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is responsible for this effect because it binds to androgen receptors in the sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more oil. Overstimulation of the glands prevents the skin from shedding normally, which traps the sebum underneath and leads to inflammation.
Due to the fact that increased levels of DHT stimulate the sebaceous glands, some persons may experience an increase in acne. However, this appears to be more common among people who have experienced acne in the past.
Increase in Testosterone
It’s a common misconception that testosterone is a purely male hormone. It’s essential for a variety of bodily processes, including sex organ formation, bone growth, muscle growth, and more.
Similarly to what happens when there’s an excess of DHT, when there’s an excess of testosterone, there’s an excess of sebum. This raises the probability of sebaceous gland inflammation, which can lead to acne breakouts if left untreated.
Many people develop acne outbreaks because of this hormonal shift. The increased risk of acne in adolescence is a result of the increased production of testosterone at this stage of life. However, adults may notice a return of acne when using creatine supplements because of the hormone’s role in muscle mass gain.
Dehydration
There is some evidence that creatine supplementation may raise the risk of dehydration. Creatine is responsible for this because it causes your muscles to retain more water. Water intake and avoiding diuretics like coffee and other medications will help you avoid dehydration while taking creatine supplements.
If your body becomes dehydrated from taking supplements, you may find that you have an outbreak of acne. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin will get rough and dry, and it will overcompensate by creating more oil. This procedure causes a greater accumulation of dead skin cells, which can eventually cause pore blockage.
Inflammation can occur at this point.
No matter what you take to enhance your exercises, we here at Stryx recommend you drink plenty of water to make up for the fluids you lose during exercise. Your general health and skin care will benefit from this.
