Hi all.
So I start right off by saying that Vitamin B12 supplements probably caused me severe acne. I'm writing this to 1) warn you to be careful when taking VB12, and 2) to hear if any of you made the same experiences and know how long it will take for the symptoms to disappear.
Okay, so my doctor found that apparently I have a vb12 deficiency. I got injections for a while but had to switch to oral supplements because I was moving from Germany to the U.S. To be specific, I bought these supplements:
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Factors-Vitamin-Methylcobalamin-60-Count/dp/B001ECXHZI/
I took one pill roughly every other day since August (so almost 4 months); apart from a little energy boost I noticed no immediate difference. When I did research on this, I read everywhere that an overdose is not possible. That it is non toxic. That it is harmless. That the body won't even store more than what you need. So I wasn't worried at all about the dosage. Probably a mistake.
Over the time I realized that my skin got extremely bad. I'm 25 and I never had acne in my life. Sure, some pimples here and there, but nothing like what I developed in the last few months here. It was all over my face, my cheeks, my neck, my back, my forehead. I tried everything to get rid off it, including getting a shower filter, over the counter acne treatment cremes, changing face scrubs, etc. It wouldn't go away and it got so bad! Here in SoCal it is impossible to cover this stuff up with make-up. It's so disgusting to wear make-up in the heat. Anyway, I didn't know what was happening to me - I still don't know. I feel so uncomfortable in my skin. It truly is a nightmare.
I was convinced that the different clima caused it. There was no other explanation. It started right when I came to the U.S. and nothing else had changed. I talked to my mom about this and she mentioned that it might be the Vitamin B12. I would have never even thought about that. Something that was supposed to make me better, that is supposed to be harmless, caused this severe acne? But it is true, the problems started when I started taking the pills.
I am no doctor and this is just a good guess, but after googling I found that Vb12 was indeed linked to acne in some studies (other studies again say the opposite). I also came across this one site, where lots of other girls posted comments with similar stories (read here if interested).
I stopped taking the pills only 3 days ago, so I can't tell yet if it was really the pills that caused it. It would make sense though. Now of course I am really interested in how long it will take for the Vb12 excess to leave the body. In some articles they say that symptoms disappear within a weak but then other girls post stories like "i stopped a few months ago and I still have the acne". It worries me!
Does anyone of you made the same experiences?
Thank you.
According to research at UCLA, there's not enough evidence to provide a link between b12 and acne.
"'It is unlikely that acne could ever be solely caused by increased levels of vitamin B12, says Anne Eady, a skin microbiologist with a lifelong interest in the pathogenesis and treatment of acne.'
'It is too early to suggest a clinical implication from our study in terms of B12 supplements,' says Li. 'It is not clear if the regular intake of vitamin B12 from food can lead to acne breakout.'"
Reference: The Pharmaceutical Journal, 11 July 2015, Vol 295, No 7870, online
It may be one piece of the puzzle, but it's probably just a coincidence.
Just to clear something up -I have daily B12 injections, never had bad skin in my life a few days into injections the acne started and its pretty bad!
So anyone that says there isnt a connection has either never experienced what we in this position are experiencing or are just being plain ignorant. It is believed that the high levels of B12 pushes the bad stuff out, so you start getting body odour and acne, it takes 120 days for blood cells to regenerate and for the body to refresh as such. So in conclusion yes B12 , B vitamins to harmonise the B12 does cause acne.
Hey there, I know it has been some time but just replying to say that I have been through the same thing.
At the time I poured through internet forums just like this, to try and find information or the experiences of people who had gone through similar.
After 3 x B12 injections in my arm in 2021, my skin packed up big time. As someone who never had acne before (even as a teenager) I found I was developing really sore, cystic acne on my T-zone, primarily on my forehead and chin. The skin on my forehead felt different, was often scaly or flaky. I went to a dermatologist who had me try various medications to no avail. He brushed over my concern that this could be caused by my recent B12 injections, however later that evening I got an email from him saying that he had done some research and found some papers that linked a sudden influx of B12, with acne.
Unfortunately nothing he gave me was able to resolve the acne however I am really glad to say that it resolved by itself, in time.
For me it was in the realm of 12-18 months, which is a long time... but yeah. I guess I am just writing to say that there is hope, and that it will go back to normal.
There were times where I was really stressed that it would last forever, but happy to report that is doesn't.
Recently I've been asked to do B12 injections again, so I tried taking one in my leg and my skin has flared up again which is a shame.
The good news is that it is not as bad, as I only had the one injection so hopefully will clear up in a lot less time.
From my experience, ongoing oral B12 supplementation hasn't had any effects on my skin, just the 'superdose' injections.
Anyway, for anyone out there in a similar spot just know, that this too, shall pass.
Much has been written about vitamin B12 in scientific articles. Scientists write that this vitamin is necessary mainly for those who have problems with the hematopoietic system and is useful for vegetarians because of its shortage. It is written that it very much increases blood clotting and in large doses may not be safe. I also remember another scientist saying that vitamin b12 can stimulate tumor growth. Maybe it's not worth the risk