Hi there.. I've been steadily gaining strength for the past 6 months and decided to add creatine to my diet. I mix it with OJ and a scoop of Glutamine and take it in the morning and right after my workouts in the afternoon. I started last week and my forehead broke out like I was back in high school..

has anyone else experienced this kind of side effect? My diet has remained the same. Here are the basics..

pb on ww for breakfast
cashews, peanuts, raisins
lean protein source with veggies and ww tortilla
protein bar (optimum nutrition)
power bar (PureFit)
lean protein source with veggies/salad and brown rice

and the occasional cheat meal from Baja Fresh or Chipotle.

i'd like to stick to Creatine for a while but this acne is quite unpleasant..

I've talked to alot of people who say they break out when they take creatine. I myself broke out on my chest a bit, but I don't take it to heavily right now anyways. One of my friend said he broke out hardcore all over his chest and shoulders (main areas where he was bulking) when he was on creatine during his bulking phase.

I have talked to several people who have said that they experienced increased acnw once they started taking creatine. -- Although I have heard of no scientific studies linking creatine and acne.

As a side note, I have heard that you should never mix creatine with juices as the sugars and enzymes in juice will interfere with the creatine absorbtion.

As a side note, I have heard that you should never mix creatine with juices as the sugars and enzymes in juice will interfere with the creatine absorbtion.

REALLY? I thought you were supposed to mix it with a simple carb for easier absorption.. at least that's what I read years ago in like 1999 when I first took it. I don't remember breaking out back then.

If the acne keeps up I might have to get off creatine. I'm not into feeling like I'm in high school again with the Clearasil on my face :)

D8ED, try laying off the dairy for awhile, if thats possible. I dont know if your using any protein powders that you need to mix with milk or not. I know milk consumption is linked to acne(by acne i mean any break outs). Im 15 and I think of myself as having nice skin. I get a break out every now and then, but who doesnt? I am lactose intolerant, so its very easy for me to avoid it. I dont crave ice cream simply because, I never eat it. And I find milk repulsive.
Anyway, Id say lay off the milk completely for a couple weeks and see if theres any improvement.

I've also heard of several peopel breaking out from creatine.

The reason why you're not supposed to take fruit juice and creatine is that its fructose, the wrong type of sugar. Lots of people do it anyways, thinking they can get the whole insulin nutrient driving spike in with that.

Use dextrose

grape juice is the recommended mixer for creatine.

thanks for the tips guys. i'll switch off from OJ and give grape juice or dextrose a shot.

yea you are suppose to mix it with juice just not OJ...usually a white grape juice....what is what Cell Tech is but 3 times more money cause they incorparate it in for you.

as of today it's white grape juice, creatine, and glutamine. i also hear it's bad to mix ahead of time? you're supposed to mix everything right before you drink it right?

also looks as if the acne breakout has stopped for now.. let's hope it stays gone

Creatine breaks down in liquid form, which is why creatine serums tend to be rather shady, though I know a lot of people that swear by them

NEVER TAKE CREATINE WITH OJ. i have heard many times in magazines that it can break it down very quickly. trust me, take it with some grape juice.