The question, does stress cause acne is simple enough but the answer is more complicated just as living with a roadmap of pimples all over your face, shoulders, back and chest is also complicated. But let’s take a calm approach and try to provide a sensible answer to our question knowing that the relationship between stress and acne are well defined.

Definitely Yes

Prior to 2003 the relationship between stress and acne was based purely on hearsay and not on concrete facts. Most claims had no clout because it lacked scientific evidence, that is, until a dermatologist made a breakthrough in a study conducted on university students.

In that study, Dr. Alexa Kimball was able to establish beyond all doubts that there was a clear connection between stress and acne outbreaks, that there was a correlation.

She found that stress could in fact cause an acne breakout and even found evidence to suggest that the greater the stress, the more flared up was the outbreak.

More stress and acne studies

Dr. Kimball’s success triggered a series of further studies which demystified the connection between stress, hormonal changes and acne. It should be noted however that of itself, stress couldn’t form or create acne. Nevertheless, in consort with other factors, it could definitely cause acne flare ups.

There are other causes such as bacteria, hormone levels, age and others. But the important thing here is that stress can actually cause acne breakouts and can also exacerbate the condition of existing acne by making them even more numerous and therefore can make you life miserable.

Corticotrophin-releasing hormone CRH

Studies led by Dr. Adam Friedman, an associate dermatologist professor at Washington University, referred to the existence and actions of one offender called – CRH – a stress related hormone that releases corticotrophin. 

The CRH has the ability of binding itself with receptors in sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, a binding action that boosts oil production in the skin providing fertile grounds for acne to form and pop up.

The point to make about the sebaceous glands is that they are also immune organs meaning that they offer resistance against bacteria and the resistance can produce inflammation of the skin.

It’s often the case that the emergence of an acne blemish is really the result of an untimely inflammation which starts off as an itchy spot on the skin. The itch causes a scratch which can develop into more swelling and infection and the formation of acne.

From biological drivers to being frazzled

Quite apart from the binding actions of CHR that can cause the emergence of acne, the state of being frazzled, which, according to our first dermatologist Kimball, is to be in a state of exhaustion or being completely worn out, also affects the appearance of acne.

She claims that people who are in a state of exhaustion may not sleep well, they may eat the wrong unhealthy foods and ignore the proper care of their skin, which of course could give rise to more acne breakouts.

Chronic stress is far more serious

When discussions focus on acute stress levels, acne breakouts and their duration are less intense than when you are suffering from chronic stress. The latter form of stress may also determine the duration and intensity of your acne breakouts.

Medical evidence suggests that chronic stress can impact the immune system in such a way that it can slow down its healing powers against disease that invade your body tissues including your skin.

Friedman (our second dermatologist) also argues that if you always find yourself in a perpetual state of stress, then you’re quite likely to experience more acne breakouts that last longer that may well result in  scarring.

Women increasingly succumbing to acne

It’s not only the men that should be worried about being infected with acne outbreaks but also the women who are increasingly getting their share of annoyance.

So far, only theories have been put forward that stress may be having an influence in new acne outbreaks in women.

In another study conducted in 2014, Kimball speculated that urban life with all its commotions and noise as well as its social and commercial pressures may be instrumental in the spike of acne in adult females.

Given that men and women are equally prone to the effects of an acne outbreak it’s reasonable to expect that a suitable remedy should be found either to mitigate its effects or to eliminate it altogether, a situation which most of us would very much like to see happen.

The crux of the problem

But seriously, what can one do to effectively combat this bodily annoyance? Well, it appears that the best thing to do is to attack the condition at the very roots, the crux of the problem so to speak, that is, you need to mollify or totally eliminate stress itself!

But how? It’s easier than you think because in itself, stress is not an infection but a mental condition that feeds on what you see, hear and think about and there’s plenty of mental food out there that the mind can absorb and induce a stressful state.

Your role is simply to mitigate or even stop your habits that induce stress or to develop other stress reduction habits which have been known to be effective. Here are some of them:

Tai chi

The deliberate, slow and relaxed movements of tai chi show that the mind is controlling them in a relaxed and coordinated manner. Instead of fast brisk movements (which may betray the presence of anxiety), tai chi movements are slow and mindful. Studies show that the benefits of tai chi are broad.

It combines slow, smooth movements with meditating and hence the term “mindful meditation” which offers remedies to a host of physical shortcomings, including stress.

Organize your space

Stress at the office can be overwhelming but you can counter it by:

• adopting the correct posture of sitting up straight at your desk and in doing so you’ll mitigate stress. 
• organizing space can also reduce stress so avoid cluttering things on your desk and screen.
• Stop worrying about too many things, especially your urge to achieve goals you just can’t reach.
• dealing correctly with interruptions by knowing that they can cause stress. You simply counter by keeping your focus and ignoring the interruptions.
• embracing your stress and avoid giving it a niche of its own at your workplace.

Control your computer!

Studies show that attending to emails, a full inbox can cause stress. You should control your computer no the other way round. Organize your inbox by using folders and manage your apps to clear you inbox and lower your anxiety and therefore stress.

Bottom line

While acne shouldn’t be regarded as being the singular cause for acne outbreaks, there’s every reason to believe that it plays a very significant role in the intensity and duration of acne outbreaks when they do take place. In addition to the personal remedies that you’ve been offered above, you should nevertheless be able to contact a dermatologist if things fail to work out.