Does creatine cause acne? The Evidence

Q: Does creatine cause acne?

Probably not directly. Creatine is one of the most studied supplements in sport, and there is no solid evidence that it directly causes acne. The theory people worry about is that creatine may slightly raise DHT (a potent androgen) — one small study in rugby players found a rise — and androgens can drive oil production and breakouts.

Creatine is one of the most studied supplements in sport, and there is no solid evidence that it directly causes acne. The theory people worry about is that creatine may slightly raise DHT (a potent androgen) — one small study in rugby players found a rise — and androgens can drive oil production and breakouts. But that single finding hasn't been clearly replicated, and most users never notice a skin change.

Where creatine does get blamed unfairly is the company it keeps: heavy training, sweaty skin left unwashed, and whey protein taken alongside it. Those factors are far more likely culprits than the creatine molecule itself.

What the research says

The one study people cite is a 2009 trial in college rugby players (van der Merwe et al.) that found creatine loading raised DHT — an androgen — by around 50%. Higher androgens can increase sebum, which is why the concern exists. But that study measured hormones, not acne, and the DHT finding has not been clearly replicated. No trial has shown creatine causing breakouts.

It is also worth separating the supplement from the lifestyle. People who load creatine are usually training hard, sweating into unwashed skin, and often stacking whey protein — all of which have clearer links to breakouts than creatine itself.

What you can do

Shower and cleanse soon after training, before sweat dries on the skin.
If you also use whey protein, trial cutting it for 4–6 weeks to see if your skin changes.
Keep the rest of your routine non-comedogenic — paste your products into our checker.

Bottom line

There is no direct evidence that creatine causes acne. If your skin changed after starting it, look first at training hygiene and any whey protein you take alongside it.

Vet your skincare too

Diet is only one piece. Many breakouts are driven by what you put on your skin. Paste your products into our comedogenic ingredient checker to rule out pore-clogging ingredients, and check for fungal-acne triggers if your bumps are small and itchy.

Sources & further reading

van der Merwe J, et al. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio. Clin J Sport Med. 2009.
American Academy of Dermatology — acne resources

By Mitchell Zandwijken · Last updated July 2026. See our sources & methodology.