If you’ve been faithfully following a skincare routine but your breakouts won’t budge, your supplements might be to blame. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano, MD, certain vitamins and powders marketed for health and fitness could be doing more harm than good when it comes to your skin—especially if you’re acne-prone.
In a recent TikTok video, Dr. Mamina broke down the three biggest culprits she sees in her practice. Read on to learn more.
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Whey protein, vitamin B supplements, and iodine/biotin
Starting with whey protein, “It’s kind of like a supplement that people use when they’re working out at the gym,” she explains, “and whey protein is derived from dairy. We know that dairy can make acne worse.” She adds that whey is especially linked to inflammatory breakouts, often taking the form of deeper, cystic acne. “We tend to see more inflammatory bumps, kind of deeper cysts and nodules,” she says. “And they can occur anywhere, but we see them more so on the back.”
This type of breakout is also commonly seen in individuals taking testosterone supplements, either for muscle gain or as part of gender transition. “That can also for sure worsen acne,” Dr. Mamina notes.
Another group of hidden triggers? Vitamin B supplements.
Dr. Mamina points to B12 in particular as one to watch. “There are actually certain supplements in the vitamin B family... B12 can worsen acne,” she says, referencing studies that suggest the acne-causing bacteria on our skin may actually thrive on it. “It can almost feed the bacteria in a way,” she explains. “And B6 also can play a role.”
And while it’s not as strongly supported by research, she also mentions iodine and biotin as possible acne contributors. “People also think that biotin can make acne worse,” she says. “There’s still very limited data on that, so I don’t really talk about that as much with patients.”
The bottom line
The takeaway? If you’re struggling with stubborn breakouts despite a solid skincare routine, it might be worth reviewing your supplement stack. From protein powders to B-complex vitamins, what’s supporting your workouts or energy levels could be sabotaging your skin.
