Does Collagen Actually Cause Acne?
The short answer? Not directly. Collagen itself doesn’t clog pores or trigger breakouts, but certain factors related to collagen supplements can contribute to acne in some people. Here’s what might be happening:
1️⃣ Poor Quality or Contaminated Collagen
Not all collagen is created equal. Some low-quality collagen supplements contain fillers, additives, and even heavy metals that can disrupt your skin and body’s balance. These impurities can stress your system, potentially leading to breakouts.
✅ Solution: Always choose high-quality, clean-sourced collagen without artificial junk. If your collagen is coming from a questionable source, your skin might not be happy about it!
2️⃣ Increased Skin Cell Turnover (Temporary Detox Breakouts)
Collagen supports faster skin renewal, which is great for anti-aging—but it can also mean a temporary “purge” phase, similar to what happens when you start a new skincare routine (like retinol). As new skin cells push to the surface, old bacteria and clogged pores can lead to short-term breakouts.
✅ Solution: Stick with it! This detox phase is temporary and should pass within a few weeks. Hydrate, eat clean, and be patient.
3️⃣ Dairy-Based Collagen Could Be a Trigger
Some collagen supplements use bovine (cow) or dairy-derived collagen, which can increase IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1)—a known acne trigger. This hormone can stimulate oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts in some individuals.
✅ Solution: If you’re acne-prone, opt for marine collagen (from fish) or grass-fed bovine collagen to reduce the risk. Luckily, plant-based and dairy-free collagen boosters are becoming more popular too!
4️⃣ Excess Glycine & Proline Might Increase Oil Production
Collagen is packed with glycine and proline, amino acids that help strengthen skin structure. While this is a good thing, for some people, it may slightly increase oil production, which could contribute to acne if the skin isn’t properly exfoliated or balanced.
✅ Solution: If you notice oilier skin, adjust your skincare routine—introduce gentle exfoliation, drink more water, and keep your skin balanced.
5️⃣ Gut Health & Detox Issues Can Be The Real Culprit
Your skin is a reflection of your gut health. If you have an imbalanced microbiome, leaky gut, or poor digestion, excess collagen peptides might not break down properly, leading to toxins trying to escape through your skin (hello, breakouts!).
✅ Solution: Support gut health by pairing collagen with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, milk thistle, or prebiotics (which, by the way, are in our hot chocolate blends 😉).
Should You Be Worried About Collagen Causing Acne?
If you’re using a high-quality, gut-friendly collagen supplement, then you probably have nothing to worry about. But if you’re acne-prone, here’s what you can do:
✔️ Opt for clean, well-sourced collagen (grass-fed, marine, or plant-based)
✔️ Watch out for dairy-based collagen if you're sensitive
✔️ Stay hydrated to flush out toxins
✔️ Support gut health (prebiotics, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory foods help!)
✔️ Be patient if you experience a purge—it’s often a temporary adjustment
How to Get the Best of Both Worlds?
We recommend using both of our hot chocolate blends to support your skin, gut, and liver health:
🔥 Our 5-Type Collagen Hot Chocolate Blend → Provides a premium mix of bovine, marine, chicken, and more for maximum skin, hair, and nail benefits.
🔥 Our Milk Thistle & Turmeric Hot Chocolate Blend → Supports liver detox and gut health, helping to prevent breakouts from internal imbalances.
By combining these two powerhouse products, you’re giving your body the best possible support for glowing skin, a happy gut, and a well-nourished liver.
Our Take: Collagen & Clear Skin CAN Go Hand in Hand
Collagen is still one of the best ways to improve skin health, but like anything, it’s all about quality, balance, and how your body reacts to it. Our hot chocolate blends are designed with your skin, gut, and liver health in mind, using premium ingredients that work with your body, not against it.
💡 Have you noticed a change in your skin since taking collagen? Let us know in the comments!
🚀 Want to nourish your skin & body the right way? Check out our hot chocolate blends today!