Pimples are never fun to get, but you can often identify the cause. But what if the skin irritation is due to stress? Here’s why your skin gets irritated when you’re stressed, and what you can do about it.
What is stress acne?
Stress acne is, as the name suggests, acne caused by stress. Stress causes a change in our hormonal balance. These stress hormones cause our skin to produce more sebum. When our skin produces more sebum than normal, you run an increased risk of pimples because your pores become clogged. Because stress acne is caused by a change in your hormones, it is a form of hormonal acne. If you experience acne around your period, this is not stress acne. If this is not the case, it is good to keep an eye on when it does happen and what may have triggered it.
Causes of stress acne
Because stress acne is caused by stress, the cause is pretty obvious, right? Stress causes an increase in cortisol. An increase in cortisol affects the body in several ways, including causing acne. An increased amount of cortisol causes increased sebum production. When you experience more stress, this can result in pimples. It can happen to anyone, age plays no role in this. The cause of your stress also makes no difference.
Treating stress acne
Stress acne can be treated in the same way as other types of acne. A special spot treatment can resolve individual pimples. Consider, for example, pimple patches. Products containing salicylic acid are very effective in clearing acne. Products that reduce oil production are also very effective. This is especially recommended if you mainly suffer from pimples with a white or black dot. In this case, go for products with salicylic acid, vitamin A or retinol. If you suffer more from subcutaneous pimples, we recommend visiting your dermatologist.
We also recommend cleaning your face well and exfoliating regularly. This way you can try to prevent pimples. And of course the most important tip is: reduce your stress! This is easier said than done. Above all, look for ways to give yourself peace of mind during stressful periods. Where possible, take a step back.
