Can GLP-1 weight-loss medicines trigger acne?

Started a GLP-1 medicine and noticed changes in your skin? If you’re seeing new or worsening acne, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone. Researchers are now looking at a possible link, particularly in women.

What GLP-1 medicines are

GLP-1 receptor agonists help regulate appetite and blood sugar. They include semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide (which acts on a second hormone, GIP, as well). Their metabolic benefits are well established. Skin side effects, including acne, have only recently started to appear in the medical literature, after many people began sharing their experiences online.

What the research shows

One large study of more than 160,000 adults with obesity but without diabetes found that women using GLP-1 medicines had higher rates of medically diagnosed acne than women who weren’t. There was no significant increase in men.

One possible explanation is hormonal. These medicines may raise levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which increases oil production and is linked to inflammation in the skin, both key factors in acne. Women with obesity can also have higher baseline androgen levels, which may make skin more sensitive to these shifts.

This is a statistical association, not proof of cause. Other researchers have questioned the findings, and more studies are needed.

Acne isn’t yet a recognised side effect of GLP-1 medicines, and we don’t know how common this is.

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If you notice new breakouts

• Don’t stop your medicine without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it. It’s often possible to look after your skin without changing your GLP-1 treatment.
• Mention any history of acne if you’re thinking about starting a GLP-1 medicine.
• Keep your routine simple. A gentle rinse-off cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. Complicated routines and product-hopping can make acne worse.
• Get it assessed. Acne has many possible triggers, including hormones, skincare, diet and other health conditions, and several skin conditions look like acne but aren’t. A doctor can look at your skin alongside your full health and medication history, work out the likely causes, and discuss options if treatment is appropriate. Not everyone needs treatment.

References

1. Cho SW, Sontam T, Chen A, et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use is associated with increased rates of acne vulgaris diagnosis in nondiabetic obese women but not men: a retrospective cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025;92(6):1406-8.
2. Thang CJ, Garate D, Sánchez-Feliciano A, Barbieri JS. Response to Cho et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025;93(3):e121-2.
3. Cho SW, Sontam T, Chen A, et al. Response to Thang et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025;93(3):e123-4.
4. Melnik BC. Acne transcriptomics: fundamentals of acne pathogenesis and isotretinoin treatment. Cells. 2023;12(22):2600.

This article is general information only. It isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice, so speak with a health professional about your own skin.