Your daily energy drink could be breaking you out
Four unexpected triggers that could be behind your breakouts
A lot of dealing with breakout-prone skin is essentially detective work - is it my new moisturizer? My period? My diet? Stress? You feel like you’re chasing your tail, and then boom, you wake up yet again with another pimple and it’s back to the drawing board.
So let’s look at some very common reasons behind seemingly inexplicable breakouts - and what you can actually do about them.
Check the biotin and B12 content of your favorite energy drink or hair vitamin:
A can of Celsius contains 300 mcg of biotin which equals 1,000% of the recommended daily value (DV). Four capsules of Nutrafol contains a staggering 3,000 mcg of biotin in a daily serving, representing 10,000% of the recommended daily value.
Why is that a problem?
Biotin overstimulates keratin production and acne-prone skin already has a problem with sticky, overproducing skin cells — excess keratin makes this worse, causing more buildup inside the follicle and faster pore blockage.
It also competes with pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) which is crucial for regulating sebum production, and low B5 is directly linked to increased oil output. So high biotin doesn’t just cause more keratin, it indirectly causes more pore-clogging sebum too — hitting two of the four pillars of acne at once.
B12 is worth watching too. If your acne is tender, painful to the touch, and came on suddenly after starting a B12 supplement, that vitamin is likely the culprit. B12 can trigger a breakout in as little as a day - it's that potent a trigger.
You don’t have to give up your faily energy drink, just check the label for brands that don’t exceed 100% RDA for biotin and B12.
Gorgie Contains 30mcg of biotin per can (100% daily value) plus 100% daily value of both B6 and B12.
Bloom Sparkling Energy Contains 100% RDA of B12, but notably does not list biotin as an ingredient. This is the brand I typically drink every day for that reason.
When was the last time you cleaned your cell phone?
A good rule of thumb is “nature doesn’t grow in straight lines.” If you notice that your breakout forms a line down one side of your face, the culprit is typically something external you’re applying to the skin that is teeming with bacteria.
Do you leave your phone on the floor in the gym between sets? Do you place it on the top of the toilet while you use the restroom? Did you wipe it down after using it on a plane tray table? Bacteria is one of the four pillars of acne, so get into the habit of wiping your phone regularly with antibacterial wipes and keeping your hands clean. Same goes for regularly washing pillowcases and makeup brushes.
Do you break out on the side of your nose?
If you are noticing frequent pimples specifically around the bridge of your nose, try wiping the frames with alcohol wipes frequently to remove makeup buildup and bacteria. Same goes for your red light mask - I realized recently when I got two pimples on exactly the mirror opposite sides of my nose that it was something I was placing on my face. Keep a stash of little disposable alcohol wipes for routine sanitizing of anything that comes into contact with your face, that includes eyelash curlers!
Check your blood sugar
This one was huge for me. I was a regular rosé drinker with cravings for carby treats and had no idea that lifestyle was fueling chronically high insulin levels (and inflammatory acne), even though I was very fit and slim. I didn’t fit the ‘pre-diabetic’ model but my bloodwork didn’t lie. I saw a dramatic decrease in my breakouts and overall redness when I stopped drinking wine and started taking blood sugar regulation more seriously.
Blood sugar levels have a strong impact on hormone production and when blood sugar remains consistently high, insulin levels also stay elevated. This prolonged elevation of insulin can stimulate the production of androgens.
These androgens stimulate the skin to produce more sebum, which when combined with dead skin cells and bacteria can clog pores and lead to acne.
Also, high insulin levels can decrease the production of a protein that helps to regulate androgen levels in the bloodstream. This can further exacerbate hormonal imbalance in the body, contributing to more intense acne breakouts.
So what can you do to help?
Move your body after eating: Moving your body for as little as 5-10 minutes after eating (walking, exercising, dancing) can help to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Prioritize quality sleep: Poor sleep can lead to insulin resistance and higher blood sugar levels. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
Manage stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can cause blood sugar to rise. Studies show supplementing with phosphatidylserine can lower cortisol spikes in response to stress.
Consider supplementing with apple cider vinegar or a tincture like Organic Olivia’s GlucoBitters which is meant to help you avoid the ‘glucose rollercoaster’ of sugar and carb cravings. Simply take 1-2 full droppers in a glass of water before meals or treats.
I’m not a doctor, and nothing here should be taken as medical advice — this is based on my personal experience and research. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your routine.