Can Whey Protein Cause Acne? Find Out Here

What Causes Acne in General?

Don’t we know that acne can be super annoying? To learn how to tackle it, you need to know what the primary cause is.

Acne happens when the skin pores are accumulated with oil, called sebum. Also dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria. Sometimes it leads to whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or, worse, painful cystic acne.

Here are the main reasons behind those acne breakouts:

Overproduction of Sebum: Your skin naturally produces oil to stay hydrated. But too much of it can cause acne
Hormonal Changes: During puberty, periods, or even stress. Hormones, especially androgens, boost oil production. The excess oils accumulate on the skin and cause acne.
Dead Skin Cells: When these don’t go away properly, they mix with oil and trigger your pores.
Bacteria: Cutibacterium acnes usually finds the oily pores and feeds on them, which causes inflammation.
Inflammation: Your body sees clogged pores as a threat and sends white blood cells. That’s when you get the redness, swelling, and pain.

Also read: How do these nutritious vegetarian snacks help you satisfy cravings?

What is the link between acne and your diet?

Researchers have studied how certain foods may trigger or worsen acne. The triggers may be different for different people, but the most commonly caused foods are,

High Glycemic Foods: White bread, sugary snacks, and soda spike your blood sugar. The increased sugar in the blood raises the insulin levels, and insulin can increase the oil production.
Dairy Products: Milk, especially, has been linked to acne in several studies.
Whey Protein: This one's getting a lot of attention. Found in many gym supplements, whey might also spike insulin.
Fast food and oily snacks: Not only are they low in nutrients, but they’re also often inflammatory. Inflammation is a key factor in acne.
Lack of Omega-3s: Diets low in healthy fats, like omega-3s, might trigger skin inflammation.

Also read: Benefits of dairy products for vegetarians

On the flip side, diets rich in vegetables, fruits, zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3s may actually help reduce acne over time.

Does Science Support the Link Between Whey and Acne?

However, whey protein doesn’t cause acne for everyone. Mostly, people with conditions like,

Sensitive skin
Lactose intolerance
History of acne

Or usage of low-quality whey protein powders can increase the chances of developing acne.

Well, research isn’t concluded yet. Although there's growing evidence that whey protein might cause acne in certain individuals who have the above-mentioned conditions.

What are studies and experts saying?

Several clinical studies show that there is a strong relationship between whey protein intake and acne. Especially in young adults.
Dairy-based proteins (like whey) may also influence androgen levels. The androgen is the hormone that spikes oil production and triggers acne around the jawline and cheeks.