Does Whey Protein Cause Acne

Many different myths and misconceptions circulate about acne, including the notion that it's caused by specific foods in your diet. No scientific evidence exists to suggest whey protein powder -- or any other food -- causes or worsens acne symptoms. If you have acne, you can take several measures to help relieve symptoms.

Whey Protein
Whey is one of the proteins in milk. Many dairy products contain whey in addition to the other milk proteins, but some foods contain an unusually high or low concentration of whey relative to other milk proteins. For instance, in cheese-making, whey separates from a protein called casein, which produces cheese curds. Most cheeses have low concentrations of whey. Whey protein is a popular additive to shakes and nutrition bars because it dissolves easily in liquid.

Acne
PubMed Health notes that acne results from pores on your skin becoming clogged with the natural oil that your skin produces, particularly when this oil mixes with dirt and begins to solidify. The oil can react with air and turn dark; this produces a blackhead. Bacteria on the skin, if trapped under an oil plug, cause infection. As your immune system attacks the bacteria, pus forms, resulting in a whitehead.

Whey Protein And Acne
No scientific evidence suggests whey protein powder causes acne. Instead, explains the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of acne are too much oil production, too much bacterial colonization of the skin and too little sloughing off of dead skin cells. Keep your skin clean and free of makeup to reduce the likelihood of acne. Gentle cleansers are best, as harsh soaps can strip oil from the face and result in further oil production.

Treatments
If you have acne, no current scientific evidence suggests you should stop using whey protein powder. MayoClinic.com notes that some studies are underway to determine whether sugary or starchy foods might cause acne, but no current evidence links any protein, including whey protein included, to acne. For acne problems, talk to your doctor, who can help recommend a course of treatment. Mild cases of acne may need nothing more than increased attention to hygiene and a bit of exfoliation. More serious cases benefit from topical creams that help kill bacteria, while very serious cases might require treatment with systemic antibiotics to reduce skin bacterial populations.