5 supplements that wreck your patients' skin
Industry Buzz
“It’s a real 'aha' moment for the patient when we find their sneaky acne trigger." — Samantha Ellis, MD, dermatologist
As dermatologists, we’ve all seen it: A patient walks in with a sudden, stubborn acne flare—and insists nothing’s changed. No new skincare, no new diet, no stress. But something has changed, and according to dermatologist Samantha Ellis, MD, it might be hiding in a gummy, a powder, or even an energy drink.
In a recent TikTok video from Dr. Ellis that’s now making the rounds among skincare-savvy physicians, she breaks down common—yet underrecognized—triggers leading to poor skin.
B12
While B12 is essential, too much of it may be problematic for acne-prone patients. Dr. Ellis highlights a recent case of a patient who experienced a major flare after consuming energy drinks laced with high levels of B6 and B12.
This isn’t anecdotal. A small study in Science Translational Medicine suggests excess B12—particularly from supplementation—can alter gene expression in the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, increasing porphyrin production and, in turn, promote inflammation. []
For adult acne patients with no obvious dietary or skincare triggers, it might be worth asking: Are they downing energy drinks or loading up on supplements?
Related: Best supplement for troublesome acneBiotin (B7)
Hair and nail gummies may be a staple in your patients’ routines, but they’re not always benign. Biotin, or B7, is a known acne culprit in some individuals.
The mechanism isn’t fully understood, but the theory is that biotin competes with other B vitamins—like B5 (pantothenic acid), which plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin. []
The result? A potential imbalance that leads to more frequent or severe breakouts, especially along the jawline and cheeks. []
Iodine
Iodine is linked to inflammatory pustular eruptions, often on the face and upper trunk, sometimes mimicking steroid‑induced acne.[] Iodine is found in kelp seaweed supplements, which can be taken to improve gut health and bone health, and may even lower cancer risk. []
Whey protein
Widely used in bodybuilding, whey protein has been associated with papulonodular acne, particularly on the trunk and sometimes face. []
Dairy-derived whey raises insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1), which may stimulate factors involved in acne (eg, keratinocyte proliferation, androgenic effects. []
Related: Your physically fit patients may be poisoning themselves with proteinSo, the next time a patient complains about skincare woes, but swears they haven’t changed anything, consider asking if they take any supplements marketed for hair or nail health, or if they've recently acquired an energy or B-vitamin energy shot habit.
Their answer might just reveal their skin flare's root cause.
Related: When daily vitamins become a death sentence: What doctors need to know