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The Link Between Stress and Acne: How To Treat Stress Acne?

Dr. Damanpreet Kaur

8 Min Read

Fast Check Fact Checked

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an inevitable part of our lives, and its impact extends beyond our mental well-being to affect our physical health, including our skin. Stress acne, also known as stress-induced acne, is a common concern that arises when our bodies are overwhelmed by stress.

In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between stress and acne, delve into the underlying causes, and discuss practical tips and skincare routine recommended by dermatologists to manage and prevent stress-induced breakouts. Let’s gain insights from dermatological expertise on effective acne management strategies.

What Is Stress Acne?

Acne, a common skin condition that affects millions worldwide, is often associated with adolescence. However, it’s not uncommon for adults to struggle with acne as well. Read more about adult acne.

While various factors contribute to the development of acne, including genetics, hormones, and skincare habits, stress also plays a significant role in exacerbating acne.

Stress is the body’s normal reaction to demanding or dangerous circumstances, setting off a series of physiological processes. When we experience stress, our bodies produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which help us cope with the perceived threat. However, prolonged or chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance and contribute to a range of health issues, including acne.

What does stress acne look like and Where is stress acne located?

Stress acne typically appears as small, red, inflamed bumps on the skin. These bumps can vary in size and may be accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. Stress acne tends to occur in areas where there are a high number of oil glands, such as the face (particularly the forehead, nose, and chin), chest, and back.

Causes Of Stress Acne

The complex interaction between the brain, endocrine system, and skin explains the link between stress and acne. Here’s how stress damages skin and makes acne worse:

1) Increased Sebum Production

Stress stimulates the production of cortisol, a hormone that triggers the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more oil (sebum). Excess sebum can clog pores, leading to the formation of acne lesions such as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Learn more about the difference between acne and pimples.

2) Inflammation

Chronic stress can promote inflammation throughout the body, including the skin. Inflammation plays a key role in the development of acne, as it can worsen existing lesions and contribute to the formation of new ones.

3) Altered Skin Barrier Function

Stress disrupts the skin’s natural barrier function, compromising its ability to retain moisture and protect against environmental irritants. A weakened skin barrier can make the skin more susceptible to acne-causing bacteria.

4) Compulsive Skin Picking

For some individuals, stress can trigger behaviours such as skin picking or rubbing, which can exacerbate existing acne lesions and lead to scarring and further inflammation.

5) Delayed Healing

Stress can impair the skin’s ability to heal and regenerate, prolonging the recovery time for acne lesions and increasing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and scarring.

How Long Does Stress Acne Take To Heal?

Many people ask this question, How long does anxiety acne last? How do you fix stress acne? Well, to answer this question I would say managing stress effectively is essential for maintaining overall well-being and may also help improve acne symptoms. Here are some strategies to help reduce stress and promote clearer, healthier skin:

1) Practice Stress Management Techniques

Can anxiety cause acne? Yes, anxiety can damage your skin. It is important to incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga into your daily routine to help lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm.

2) Quality Sleep

Did you know that lack of sleep also causes acne? It is important to get a quality sleep of at least 7-8 hours so that your skin feels better. Unable to sleep properly? Check out this blog to find out ways to get a good night’s sleep.

3) Prioritize Self-Care and Mental Health

In some cases, acne is linked to depression. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s spending time outdoors, engaging in hobbies, or connecting with loved ones. Self-care is important for your physical and mental health. This way you can get rid of stressed skin, calm your acne and have a healthy skin.

4) Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, and prioritize regular exercise and adequate sleep to support overall health and well-being.

5) Hydration

Does drinking water help acne? Of course yes, your skin needs an adequate amount of water. Water intake helps flush out toxins from the body, thereby reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts. Drinking water can help maintain the skin’s moisture balance, which is important for preventing excessive dryness or oiliness.

6) Seek Professional Help

If stress and acne significantly impact your quality of life, consider seeking support from a mental health professional or dermatologist. They can provide personalized guidance and treatment options to help you manage stress and improve your skin health.

Now you can consult a dermatologist for FREE. Yes, you heard it right. You can talk to a dermatologist about your skin issues and get a personalized skincare kit that will improve your skin making it healthy and glowy.

7) Skincare Routine

Does stress acne ever go away? Is this what you are thinking? By following the above-mentioned methods to reduce stress and a proper skincare routine you can get rid of stress acne to a great extent.

Skincare Routine To Reduce Acne

A. Morning Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

1) Start With a Cleanser

Start your day with a good face cleanser—pick one with salicylic acid to keep things clear and bright. Check out MFine 1% Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser. Salicylic acid is very good for reducing acne.

This cleanser is used to treat acne.
It manages excess oil production for balanced and healthier skin

2) Serum

Next up, add a bit of magic with a serum. Niacinamide acid is like a little helper for your acne-prone skin.

Try MFine 10% Niacinamide Serum. This serum is one of the best serums that is used to treat acne. The other benefits of this 10% Niacinamide serum are:

Minimizes pores
Brightens skin tone
Reduces dark spots and blemishes
Protects from sun damage

3) Moisturizer

It’s time to hydrate your skin with a light moisturizer.

You must try out MFine 0.5% Salicylic Acid Gel Moisturizer if you have oily and combination skin type. This moisturizer clears and prevents acne breakouts for healthier skin.

If you have dry, normal and sensitive skin, then you must check out MFine Ceramide Moisturizer. This moisturizer defends against acne & breakouts and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier.

4) Sunscreen SPF 50/PA+++

Sunscreen SPF 50/PA+++ is important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and to reduce acne.

Check out

MFine Sunscreen Gel SPF 50/PA+++ (oily and combination skin type)

MFine Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50/PA+++ (dry, normal and sensitive skin)

B. Night-time Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

1) Makeup Removal and Cleansing

Begin your night routine by thoroughly removing makeup with a gentle makeup remover or water. Follow up with a salicylic acid cleanser to cleanse away impurities and control oil. Are you making any makeup mistakes that are leading to breakouts and acne?

2) Exfoliation (2-3 times a week)

Incorporate an exfoliating treatment containing glycolic or lactic acid to promote skin cell turnover. This helps unclog pores and fade acne scars. Use exfoliants 2-3 times a week to avoid over-exfoliation.

3) Moisturizer

Yes, you need to apply moisturizer even at night. Moisturizer hydrates and nourishes the skin overnight. It supports the skin’s natural repair processes and prevents excessive drying without causing breakouts.

4) Serum for Acne

It is very important to use serum at night. It targets acne scars and enhances the overall effectiveness of your nighttime routine. It helps to improve skin texture while you sleep.

Each step in your routine is designed to address acne from cleansing away impurities to hydrating your skin. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to managing acne-prone skin, promoting a healthy and radiant complexion.

Looking for the best acne treatment? Look no further. MFine brings you the best acne treatment from the top dermatologists.

MFine Anti-Acne Kits For All Skin Types

1) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Normal skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

Treats and prevents acne breakouts effectively
Regulates sebum production and moisture balance
Boosts skin elasticity, firmness and a healthier complexion
Enhances skin barrier protection

2) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Oily skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

Regulates sebum production and reduces excessive oiliness
Targets and treats acne reducing the occurrence of breakouts

3) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Sensitive skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

Targets and treats acne reducing the occurrence of breakouts
Strengthens skin barrier and nourishes skin for a radiant glow

4) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Dry skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

Provides deep hydration preventing dryness and flakiness
Targets acne and blemishes without compromising skin moisture
Improves skin texture and tone reducing the appearance of acne scars

5) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Combination skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

Regulates sebum production and reduces excessive oiliness
Targets and treats acne reducing the occurrence of breakouts

Wait,

Is it stress or hormonal acne?

Determining whether acne is caused by stress or hormones can be a bit tricky, as both factors can contribute to acne development in different ways. Let us see the difference between stress acne and hormonal acne.

Stress Acne

Stress can trigger hormonal changes in the body, leading to an increase in oil production and inflammation, which can result in acne.

Hormonal Acne

Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can trigger acne breakouts. Hormonal acne often appears as deep, cystic lesions around the chin, jawline, and cheeks, as these areas are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. To know what hormonal acne looks like check out

Summary

In conclusion, while stress alone may not directly cause acne, it can exacerbate existing symptoms and contribute to flare-ups in susceptible individuals. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits and effective stress management strategies, you can support your overall well-being and promote clearer, healthier skin.

Remember that managing stress is not only beneficial for your skin but also for your mental and emotional health. Take proactive steps to reduce stress and prioritize self-care for a happier, healthier life.

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Written by

Dr. Damanpreet Kaur

Dr. Damanpreet Kaur is a General physician at MFine who holds a degree of MBBS, Certified in General practice, COVID-19 telemedicine practice, and in Diabetes management. She has over 4 years of experience in managing day-to-day illnesses, assessment of health check reports, and managing lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, etc. She has worked previously at MDH Hospital, New Delhi. Currently, she is working as a consultant physician at MFine.

The Link Between Stress and Acne: How To Treat Stress Acne?

What Is Stress Acne?

What does stress acne look like and Where is stress acne located?

Causes Of Stress Acne

1) Increased Sebum Production

2) Inflammation

3) Altered Skin Barrier Function

4) Compulsive Skin Picking

5) Delayed Healing

How Long Does Stress Acne Take To Heal?

1) Practice Stress Management Techniques

2) Quality Sleep

3) Prioritize Self-Care and Mental Health

4) Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

5) Hydration

6) Seek Professional Help

7) Skincare Routine

Skincare Routine To Reduce Acne

A. Morning Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

1) Start With a Cleanser

2) Serum

3) Moisturizer

4) Sunscreen SPF 50/PA+++

B. Night-time Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

1) Makeup Removal and Cleansing

2) Exfoliation (2-3 times a week)

3) Moisturizer

4) Serum for Acne

MFine Anti-Acne Kits For All Skin Types

1) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Normal skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

2) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Oily skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

3) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Sensitive skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

4) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Dry skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

5) MFine Anti-Acne Kit – Combination skin

What’s included in this kit?

Benefits of this kit

Is it stress or hormonal acne?

Stress Acne

Hormonal Acne

Summary

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