Is Your Workout Routine Causing Breakouts?
If you work out regularly and take protein powders or bars, pre-workout drinks, electrolytes, or any other “workout” supplement, it's likely sabotaging your skin.
You might be focused on your skincare products, facials or your diet for your acne—but sometimes, the real culprit is hiding in the last place you'd expect.
Whey Protein: A Sneaky Acne Trigger
Whey protein is one of the most popular protein powders for athletic performance—and it's also a common acne trigger. I've worked with athletic clients who struggled with stubborn breakouts, but once they cut out whey protein, their skin improved—quickly.
This client struggled with his skin for years. His acne cleared up in just 9 weeks after switching to the right products — and making one simple change: cutting out his daily whey protein shakes.
Why Does Whey Protein Cause Acne?
Whey protein is often recommended for many workout routines and athletes, but for those prone to acne, it causes breakouts. Here's why:
It Boosts Oil Production: Whey protein raises IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which signals your skin to produce more oil. More oil = more clogged pores = more breakouts.
It's a Dairy Byproduct: Since whey protein is a milk concentrate, it has an even bigger acne-triggering potential than other dairy products, due to the high iodide content in dairy. Plus, most people take whey protein every day, which is too much for acne prone skin to process.
But it's not just whey protein that can trigger breakouts. Many pre-workout drinks, sports drinks, electrolyte drinks, and protein bars also contain acne-triggering ingredients. Common culprits include potassium iodide, iodine, vitamin B12, biotin, and soy.
This client had back breakouts for years. Switching his whey protein shake to an egg white protein shake made all the difference. His skin was clear in 12 weeks.
Could This Be Keeping You Stuck in the Breakout Cycle?
If you're dealing with acne, you might have no idea that one ingredient in your diet could be the problem. But once you remove whey protein, your skin can clear up quickly.
The good news? You don't have to give up protein shakes. Here's how to keep your protein intake acne-safe:
Egg white protein shakes are a great option that many athletes prefer as a cleaner, acne-safe alternative to whey. Make sure it doesn't contain B12 or iodine.
For plant-based options, pea protein and hemp protein are generally safer — as long as they're free of soy.
Check the labels. Even “clean” products can have acne triggers, so be sure to read the label before purchasing.
This client replaced her twice-a-day whey protein shake with an egg white-based alternative, and her skin finally cleared up.
Small changes make a huge difference. If your protein shake is sneakily causing your breakouts, switching to an acne-safe alternative is exactly what your skin needs.
Be sure to check your protein powder!
