Stress acne is not merely an occasional flare-up; it is your body's response to an imbalance within itself (or vice versa). When you are under a lot of stress, your body has a tendency to produce more of the hormones responsible for acne outbreaks than at other times (hence why many people suffer from more severe acne outbreaks during times of extreme emotional distress).
If you are experiencing excessive amounts of stress and wondering how to rid or treat yourself of those pesky zits that pop up on your face every time you have to meet a deadline, plan an important event, or face unhappy customers, you're not alone. Understanding how stress and hormone levels are related, which treatment to use for both types of acne, and the best topical product to apply can help you achieve a clearer complexion, improved self-esteem, and greater confidence.
This resource offers educational information about the science behind stress acne and how it can be treated, solutions for creating a personalized stress/acne treatment plan, and recommendations from various dermatologists regarding options available for managing stress acne effectively and professionally.
Stress can cause acne by altering hormone levels. After stress occurs, research by dermatology experts, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shows that increased cortisol levels stimulate sebum production (the oil that can clog pores) and cause oil glands to go into overdrive. Stress-induced cortisol and the subsequent increase in sebum production are two reasons why you may have stress-induced acne.
Stress and hormonal acne are generally the same; however, when cortisol is released due to stress, it also increases androgen levels, or male hormones. Increased androgen production will stimulate the oil glands, leading to acne along your jawline, chin, and cheeks—all areas associated with hormonal acne.
Although both hormonal and stress-induced acne may look the same, hormonal acne is often associated with hormone levels changing during a monthly cycle, pregnancy, or as a result of medical conditions and/or hormonal imbalances. Stress acne is typically the result of life pressure, inadequate sleep, and/or emotional stress.
Having a clear understanding of this fact will help you know the appropriate acne treatment methods.
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Acne may be caused by stress if:
1. Breakouts become more apparent during deadlines and stressful emotional moments.
2. Pimples appear red and irritated.
3. There is more oil on the skin than desired.
4. Sleep patterns have been interrupted.
Stress-related acne can appear unexpectedly in people who did not typically suffer from acne while growing up in their adolescent years. Recognizing the pattern is one of your first objectives in determining the best way to eliminate stress acne effectively.
Managing stress acne successfully means addressing both the internal causes and external care of the acne itself. If you only apply random products, you won’t fix your stress acne unless you make some lifestyle changes to support it.
To treat your stress acne, you’ll want to include:
Topical retinoids to help unclog pores
Benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria
Salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin gently
Prescription medication for women's hormonal acne that stays around 4 months or longer
For women with moderate to severe hormonal acne, dermatologists can prescribe oral medications to help regulate hormones. By working with board-certified dermatologists, you can develop a customized plan to treat your acne.
When treating your stress acne, it is important to choose the best products for your skin's individual needs. Often, using a harsh acne product strips the skin barrier, leading to further inflammation. Look for:
Non-comedogenic moisturizers
Gentle cleansers that are pH-balanced
Oil-free sunscreens
Lightweight niacinamide-containing serums
The best skin care products support the skin barrier while causing minimal irritation. Following a regular skincare routine (every day) is also very important! You may find that if you frequently change products and/or are using too many products at one time, you will continue to have acne due to stress.
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Stress acne begins inside your body, so how to manage your stress is extremely important! Some of the best ways to reduce stress are as follows:
Getting 7–8 hours of sleep a night
Practicing mindfulness
Exercising regularly
Decrease sugar (especially added sugar) and processed foods
Managing stress reduces cortisol levels; the more cortisol in our bodies, the more acne we have. Using these techniques during proper acne treatment can dramatically improve the result.
To keep your skin looking great, you need a consistent skincare regimen that uses the best ingredients for your skin type. While it is possible to have a skincare routine without having expensive products, you just need to be careful about how you mix and match your products to ensure they're compatible with your skin type and provide the right amount of hydration and treatment.
Developing a simple and low-maintenance skincare routine will help you manage stress-induced acne:
In the Morning:
Gentle Cleanser
Oil-Free Moisturizer
Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
In the Evening:
Gentle Cleanser
Targeted Treatment for Acne (with retinol/salicylic acid)
Light-Weight Moisturizer
The best skincare products for acne are formulated to maintain a balance of moisture and treatment for your skin.
If you have persistent stress acne and have been on treatment for at least 8 weeks, you should consult a dermatologist specializing in acne. In many cases of persistent hormonal acne, a dermatologist will want to perform an examination to determine the cause of your hormonal imbalance and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Some treatments available may include chemical peels, laser treatment, or prescribed medications, and all requested treatments will depend on the severity of your condition.
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Stress-related acne can be very distressing. Especially when it shows up at a time when you're already experiencing considerable stress. However, understanding how all forms of stress lead to breakouts gives you the power to take a proactive approach to dealing with stress-induced and premenstrual breakouts.
When you combine the right products and routines with an intentional approach to managing stress, you will achieve long-lasting, sustainable results for your skin. That is how to successfully eliminate any type of breakout caused by emotional stress: with the right products backed by scientific evidence, combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Although clear skin isn't just about appearance, it provides insight into what is going on inside your body, thus giving you the opportunity to find harmony between your body and mind. By being deliberate and thoughtful in your approach, you can take the necessary steps to make managing, predicting, and preventing stress-induced acne in your life come true.
Stress acne may resolve with reduced stress levels. However, without effective treatment for acne and using proper skincare for acne, the likelihood and possibility of breakouts recurring or becoming worse increase if underlying hormonal acne also exists.
Stress acne may appear due to stress level and severity, but it typically lasts anywhere from several days to several weeks. The time between first noticing stress acne and its disappearance is significantly reduced when stress reduction is used in conjunction with targeted acne treatments.
Hormonal acne and stress acne overlap to some degree but are not exactly alike. Stress acne forms due to increased cortisol levels, while hormonal acne is caused by hormonal changes due to endocrine dysfunction and is thus evaluated with medical investigations.
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