7 Best Protein Powders for Acne in 2024

Many types of protein powders can cause acne because they’re formulated with whey, which contains milk proteins. Milk proteins are known to be inflammatory for those prone to food-related breakouts (aka, most acne sufferers.) In addition to this, whey has been proven to increase the body’s insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which in turn boosts the hormones that produce testosterone and can potentially trigger nasty acne breakouts. 

So, if you still want to go hard in the gym with the help of a supplement, what’s the best protein powder for acne? 

Protein Powders for Acne: All You Need To Know

If you have acne-prone skin and you’re either using or planning to use protein powders, I’m going to explain everything you need to know about buying an acne-friendly powder supplement. Once I’ve explained what to look out for, I’ve selected 7 of the best protein powders for acne (plant-based, animal-based, budget-friendly and more) for you to take a look at. But first – what’s an acne-friendly protein powder?

Put simply, there are three types of protein powder on the market. Only one of these is truly acne-friendly:

1. Whey protein-based powders

Protein-based powders are typically formulated with whey (casein) and are notorious for causing breakouts and even provoking an increase in IGF-1, leading to nasty hormonal breakouts. In addition, many cheap protein powders are flavored with sugars and artificial sweeteners which are terrible at keeping your insulin levels (and therefore your acne) in check. 

When it comes to acne-friendly protein powders, I’d give whey protein powders a 1/5 .

2. Plant-based powder (typically pea protein)

Another popular type of protein powder is a plant-based powder; this is typically popular with vegans and those following meat-free or dairy-free diets. However, is it acne friendly? Not entirely. The problem with recommending plant-based powders for acne sufferers is that not everyone’s skin can handle the pea protein, which is typically used in most formulas. 

Despite its shortcomings, plant-based protein powder is much better than whey protein and so on the acne-friendly scale I’d give it a 5/10. It’s also a great option if you can’t use animal protein, which I’ll come onto next.

3. Animal-based powder (typically gelatin or collagen-based)

The only truly acne-friendly protein powder that you can find on the market in 2022 is animal-based protein powder. Animal-based protein powders will typically use gelatin or collagen in their formulas, which isn’t going to inflame your acne or cause an increase in your IGF-1.

If you want to truly be assured that the ingredients in your protein powder aren’t going to inflame or trigger an acne breakout, the key is to go with animal-based powders. Don’t forget that you also need to ensure that your powder is free of artificial sugars, sweeteners, and additives in order to be truly acne-friendly. 

However, if you’re a vegan or you refrain from using animal-based products on moral grounds, your second best option is a plant-based protein powder. 

So, that pretty much sums up the basics when it comes to acne-friendly protein powders. Animal-based and plant-based powders should always be prioritized over whey proteins (casein), and you’ll need to make sure that you’re not ingesting artificial flavorings or sweeteners. You should always check the ingredients label on any protein powder, but especially those that come with artificial flavorings like chocolate or vanilla. 

Now – I understand that a lot of what I’m talking about in this post is pretty technical. So, to make things easier, I decided to create a comprehensive list of the best protein powders for acne-prone skin. Each product was personally selected by me and is 100% acne-friendly – I’ve scoured the ingredients lists so you don’t have to. Whether you’re looking for a vegan-friendly option or something cheap, you’ll find a recommendation for you on this list.

How I Reviewed Each Protein Powder 

As I put together this list, I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going for a “one-size-fits-all” type recommendation list. While I personally prefer animal-based protein powders when I’m trying to up my efforts at the gym, I’m aware that many of my readers follow vegan or vegetarian diets. So, I’ve listed various categories and given appropriate recommendations accordingly.

I’ve also reviewed each protein powder according to what I consider to be the most important metrics for someone dealing with acne and not wishing to aggravate it further:

• Does the protein powder contain any ingredients known to aggravate acne or acne-prone skin (coffee, phytic acid, lectins, etc)
• Does the protein powder contain artificial sweeteners?
• Is the protein powder laden with sugar or artificial flavorings?
• Is the protein powder easy to buy and budget-friendly?

Based on the above criteria and my own personal experiences trying these protein powders for myself, I’m recommending what I’ve found to be the best protein powders for acne that you can buy in 2022. I’ve scoured ingredients lists from old tubs sitting in my cupboard, read certified reviews from buyers and analyzed each and every product in comparison with one another so that you can make a confident purchase.

So, whether you’re on a budget, a vegan or simply want the best overall acne-friendly protein powder, I’ve put all the top options below.

Best Protein Powders for Acne Summary

Best	Protein Powder for Acne
Overall	Bub’s Naturals – Fountain of Youth
Dairy-Free	Ancient Nutrition – Vanilla Bone Broth Protein Powder
On a Budget	PlantVital – Plant Based Chocolate Protein Powder
Plant-Based Protein Powder	Garden of Life – Organic Vegan Sport Protein Powder, Vanilla – Probiotics
Collagen Protein Powder	Earth Echo’s Collagen Peptides
Pea Protein	Naked Life – Pea Protein Isolate from North American Farms
Protein Bar	Larabar – Blueberry Muffin Protein Bar (Gluten Free)

My top recommendation is the Bub’s Naturals Fountain of Youth. What makes this animal-based formula particularly great for acne-prone skin is that it contains a range of ingredients that support a clear, healthy complexion. It’s also dairy-free, which greatly reduces the risk of it triggering breakouts. 

This collagen-based protein powder contains 10 grams of bovine collagen peptides, which offer a range of health and beauty benefits. These peptides support strong nails and healthy hair, and can also promote a more youthful complexion. Beyond that, collagen is great for supporting joint health. 

Additionally, this formula contains a potent 1000 milligram concentration of vitamin C. In addition to supporting the immune system, vitamin C supplements help counteract the effects of damaging free radicals (which can lead to signs of aging), and stimulates the natural production of collagen – which is key to maintaining a youthful complexion. 

This powder also contains 10 milligrams of pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5. While research is still in its early stages, it is believed that vitamin B5 supplements may help reduce blemishes in those prone to mild to moderate acne. Another ingredient worth highlighting is MCT oil, an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ingredient that may help improve energy levels and support athletic performance. 

I use this powder on a daily basis in the morning, and I’ve found that it easily mixes into many different liquids, such as water and smoothies. Keep in mind that the company recommends avoiding mixing the powder into hot liquids, as this can compromise the vitamin C. 
Note that this powder is sweetened with stevia leaf extract, which is a sugar alternative. The subject of the link between acne and stevia is controversial, but I’ve actually written about the benefits of stevia for acne-prone skin. That said, if you know your skin is sensitive to stevia, this may not be the best choice for you.

As noted, dairy-based protein powders aren’t ideal for acne-prone skin, as they can trigger breakouts. One of my favorite dairy-free formulas on the market is the Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth. While it doesn’t contain dairy, it is still an animal-based protein powder that is well-suited for acne-prone skin. This truly is a great alternative to whey proteins and plant-based powders and gives a great nutritional kick to boost. 

This powder provides an impressive 20 grams of protein, which comes from the chicken bone broth concentrate. The concentrate contains collagen type II for skin, hair, nail, and joint support. It also contains glucosamine, which has proven to be beneficial for the skin in helping reduce hyperpigmentation and increase hydration. It also offers wound healing benefits to boot. Additionally, the concentrate features hyaluronic acid, which further helps improve skin and body hydration levels. 

I’ve found that this powder easily mixes into both warm and cold liquids, including water, coffee, and protein shakes. I also like that it comes in two different sizes, so you can purchase what works best for your needs. 

Like the Bub’s Naturals powder, this formula does contain stevia. However, this shouldn’t cause issues for those that don’t have sensitivities to this sweetener.

Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Pros:

• Dairy-free, soy-free, and paleo-friendly
• Non-GMO
• Contains hyaluronic acid, collagen peptides, and glucosamine

Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Cons:

• Not suitable for vegans, or those who refrain from using or consuming animal products
• Contains stevia – if your skin is super sensitive to artificial sweeteners, you might not want to use this powder

If you’re looking for an acne-friendly protein powder, you might find yourself slightly limited when it comes to truly budget-friendly options.

Or so I thought! A friend recently recommended to me Plant Vital’s Plant Based Protein Powder when I was traveling and didn’t want to invest in my usual supplements on the road. While I was initially skeptical about the low price, it was so good that I actually ended up taking it home and using it for a few weeks instead of my regular. Not only was it sugar free and stevia free, it was also completely unflavored – no strange aftertaste! Yay!

While I personally prefer my regular Bone Broth by Ancient Nutrition, Plant Vitals is great if you want to get started with something cheap that still contains a fair amount of nutrients. While it’s not as nutrient-rich as some of the other powders I’ve recommended, it’s formulated with vegan-friendly pea proteins and lots of green antioxidants, and great for the price.

Plant Vital’s Plant Based Protein Powder: PROS

• Vegan-friendly
• Lots of greens and antioxidants, great for tackling skin inflammation
• Great price if you’re a student or on a budget
• Non-GMO and 100% natural – no strange additives or sweeteners that might trigger a breakout
• 100% sugar free, so no insulin increase after use

Plant Vital’s Plant Based Protein Powder: CONS

• Unflavored – I tested the unflavored option, so if you have a hard time drinking protein powders in general, you might struggle with this one and might prefer to mix it in with something like a juice or smoothie. There is also a chocolate version available if you really can’t stomach the natural version.
• Not as nutrient-rich as the other protein powders I’ve recommended in this list

If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just prefer to refrain from animal products for ethical reasons, you can still use a great acne-friendly protein powder. For our vegan and vegetarian readers, I’d recommend Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder by Garden of Life. This protein powder is extremely antioxidant-rich, featuring a mix of organic tart cherries, organic apples, organic turmeric, organic goji berries, and organic blueberries. 

Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder by Garden of Life: PROS

• Dairy free and soy free
• Gluten free, so it’s suitable for those with gluten allergies
• Organic
• Vegan-friendly, with no animal byproducts used whatsoever
• Antioxidant-rich, great for keeping skin inflammation low

Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder by Garden of Life: CONS

• High fiber: this protein powder reports quite a high fiber content, so it might not be ideal if you suffer from IBS or other digestive or gut health issues. If you’re able to consume animal products, you might prefer to stick with an animal-based powder. 
• Taste: because this powder isn’t artificially sweetened, you might find it a bit hard to swallow (literally.) 

If you’re looking for a collagen-based protein powder for acne-prone skin, I highly recommend Collagen Peptides by Earth Echo Foods. This protein powder contains zero artificial flavoring, is 100% dairy free and gluten-free and contains 17g of clean protein in every serving. Because it’s made with collagen peptides, it also comes with a range of beauty benefits, including healthy hair, strong nails and more youthful skin. When using this powder, I did notice that my acne scars seemed less prominent and my skin a lot brighter than usual, but I’ll need to keep using it to see if these results continue.

One thing I love about

Collagen Peptides by Earth Echo Foods: PROS

• Dairy-free and soy-free
• Gluten-free
• Stabilizes blood sugar levels, preventing any insulin increases
• Offers beauty and skin benefits

Collagen Peptides by Earth Echo Foods: CONS

• Doesn’t contain as many antioxidants as the Plant Vitals or Garden of Life protein powder
• One of my more expensive recommendations, although there is a Subscribe and Save option

If you’re not keen on animal-based protein powders, this Naked Pea protein powder is a great alternative. While my skin can’t really handle pea protein, it’s really just a question of luck – if you want to stick to plant-based powders in the future, I’d highly recommend first trying out this and seeing how your skin reacts to the protein.

Naked Pea Protein Powder: PROS

• Great for testing out if your skin can handle pea protein (and therefore most other plant-based protein powders)
• Vegan-friendly and non-GMO
• 100% dairy free and soy free
• No lactose

Naked Pea Protein Powder: CONS

• Just one ingredient – you might find it ineffective if you’re looking for an all-rounder product such as the Collagen Peptides.
• If you have acne-prone skin, your skin might be unable to tolerate the protein

Picking acne-friendly protein bars can be a real challenge, as so many of them are marketed to appeal to your taste buds, not your skincare routine or actual health. Whatever you do when choosing a protein bar, AVOID those with peanuts or peanut-butter-based protein bars. Just, trust me on this one. 

My pick for the best acne-friendly protein bar has to be Larabars.

Larabars: PROS

• Each bar comes with just 6 ingredients, so you don’t need to worry about ingesting strange additives or artificial sugars
• Vegan-friendly and gluten-free
• Lots of flavors – great if you have allergies or certain food intolerances
• Dairy-free, so no need to worry about hidden milk proteins

Larabars: CONS

• Taste can be quite particular – it might take you a moment to get used to it
• A little on the pricey side

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