The Effects of Topical and Oral Creatine on Skin Firmness and Resilience: A Review.

backgroundSkin quality declines with intrinsic aging, environmental damage, and oxidative stress. Loss of skin firmness, a hallmark of aging, results from collagen degradation and fibroblast dysfunction, weakening the extracellular matrix (ECM). This leads to increased laxity and wrinkle formation, known as dermatoporosis. Creatine, a naturally occurring compound essential for cellular energy metabolism, has emerged as a potential agent for improving skin firmness.

objectiveTo examine the effects of topical and oral creatine supplementation on skin firmness, focusing on cellular mechanisms and clinical evidence.

methodsA literature search was conducted in March 2025 using PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar. Studies investigating creatine's effects on the integumentary system were reviewed and summarized.

resultsWhile clinical studies on creatine's effects on skin firmness are limited, in vivo and in vitro research suggest that topical creatine enhances skin elasticity and firmness while providing photoprotective benefits. These effects appear to be achieved with minimal risk when used at recommended doses. Although no direct studies on oral creatine's impact on skin firmness were found, its systemic absorption and demonstrated benefits in other physiologic processes suggest a potential role in skin health. LIMITATIONS: While preliminary findings suggest dermatologic benefits of creatine, research is limited by a lack of studies isolating creatine's effects, scarce in vivo data, and insufficient long-term safety assessments.

conclusionEmerging evidence suggests that both oral and topical creatine may enhance skin firmness by supporting collagen metabolism and fibroblast function. However, further research is needed to establish clinical efficacy.