Stress can wreak havoc on many—if not all—aspects of our lives. But when it comes to our skin, it mostly manifests into a pesky concern that we are all too familiar with: stress acne. Whether you’re dealing with emotional or psychological stress, stress acne pops up in times of duress.
What makes a bit trickier to treat than say or even , is that it is very much tied to our mental health and how we feel. To help us navigate how to treat this specific type of breakout, we asked three dermatologists to give us a breakdown of everything we need to know. From the symptoms to all the treatments available, here’s your complete guide on how to tackle stress acne—straight from the pros.
What Is Stress Acne? As New York City-based board-certified dermatologist , MD, describes it, stress acne is a type of acne that is worsened by, you guessed it, stress. Henry explains that chronic stress can trigger a hormone called Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH stimulates the production of sebum as a response to stress which can lead to breakouts.
She adds that CRH also contains proteins that contribute to inflammation. Stress acne can occur anywhere on the body and face, but she says they are more commonly found on the forehead, nose, chin, and larger areas of the body with a higher concentration of oil glands such as the chest, back, and upper arms. And while anyone, regardless of age, can get stress acne, she says it is most common for those who are already prone to breakout.
