Stress acne can be stressful. Here's how to tackle it
What's the story
Although stress isn't the primary reason for acne, stress hormones play a big role in flaring up breakouts. Stress acne generally appears in the oily areas of your face, like the chin or the nose. People who have acne-prone skin, have more chances of developing the same. Needless to say, tackling stress is the first step to avoiding stress acne. Let's dive into it.
Context
What causes stress acne?
Several studies have asserted that if you have acne-prone skin, stress can aggravate the condition. When you are stressed out, your body releases cortisol hormone, which increases the production of excess sebum and augments the chances of acne breakouts. Stress also adversely impacts your immune system. This further makes your skin more sensitive and leads to redness and rashes.
Identification
How to identify stress acne?
As mentioned above, stress acne happens in the oiliest areas of your skin, like your chin, nose, or forehead. They commonly appear as clusters of pimples. You will also notice an increased occurrence of blackheads, whiteheads, and dilated pores along with stress acne. As compared to regular acne, stress acne is redder and itchy. It is typically also filled with pus.
Treatment
How to treat stress acne?
If you are already following a prescribed treatment plan, stick to the routine. If you want to tackle it at home, try skincare products that have ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol. These ingredients unblock your pores and lower the production of excess sebum. Ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid have proved extremely beneficial in combating acne.
Prevention
How to prevent stress-related acne?
Avoid sugary foods! Such foods increase your blood sugar and lead to inflammation, which causes acne. Studies say that people who exercise regularly have less acne. Wash your face at least twice daily. Maintain an adequate sleep routine as it can reduce stress levels that cause acne. Consume caffeine in moderation as it can dehydrate your skin and increase the chances of acne.
Stress management
Here are some tips to manage stress
It is tough, but trust us, tackling stress is possible. Meditate: In an experiment-based study, meditation helped lower stress by 14% in just 10 days. Pampering yourself can do wonders in managing stress. A good body massage can release the feel-good hormone, known as dopamine. Deep breathing is another way to reduce stress. Try pranayama and other forms of yoga.