The Weird Way Stress Might Be Showing up on Your Skin, According to a Dermatologist

From parade.com

Key Points

• Stress increases cortisol, causing more oil and inflammation, which can worsen acne and skin conditions.
• Stress-related habits like poor diet and alcohol can further harm skin health.
• Consistent skincare, hydration, sleep and stress management help protect skin during stressful times.

You can probably think of a few habits that lead to breakouts: repeatedly touching your face, going to bed wearing makeup, lots of phone calls with your phone pressed against your cheek…In all three of these instances, bacteria, oil and dirt can clog pores, which can make pimples pop up (and always at the most inconvenient times).

You’ve also likely heard that stress can negatively impact skin too. Ever get a pimple right before a big event? But the connection between stress and breakouts is less clear than the aforementioned examples because it doesn’t involve bacteria coming into contact with your face. 

What exactly causes stress-induced breakouts? To get to the bottom of it, we talked to a top dermatologist about the real connection between stress and skin. 

Does Stress Actually Impact Skin?

According to Dr. Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, a dermatologist at Prose, stress can absolutely impact skin, and it does so in several different ways. “Stress can trigger or worsen acne. When our cortisol levels increase, this causes increased oil production and fuels skin inflammation, both of which are key factors in acne development,” she says.

Scientific research backs this up. In one study that took into account 144 female medical school students, participants with a higher stress score had more severe acne, showing a significant correlation. 

Another scientific study showed that when cortisol levels go up (which happens when someone is feeling stressed), it causes an increase in sebaceous gland activity. The sebaceous gland produces an oily substance called sebum to lubricate the skin. This increase in oil can lead to acne and breakouts. 

“Stress can exacerbate conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, and it may delay wound healing due to its effect on the immune response and skin barrier function,” Dr. Vaidya explains, sharing other ways stress can negatively impact skin.

Besides an increase in oil production caused by a spike in cortisol, she explains that some of the common habits people do when they’re stressed can negatively impact skin. For example, if someone tends to eat carb-based, sugar-filled foods when they’re stressed, these foods can increase inflammation and oil production. “This can lead to flares in acne and conditions such as rosacea and eczema,” she tells Parade. 

Some people cope with stress by increasing alcohol consumption. This, too, can negatively impact skin. “Excess alcohol consumption has the potential to impact skin health by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress. This can lead to redness, breakouts and accelerated skin aging,” Dr. Vaidya says.

How To Care for Your Skin During Times of High Stress

Experiencing stress is an inevitable part of life. So how can you care for your skin when it happens? After all, you don’t need something else to worry about. Dr. Vaidya recommends using products that help support the skin barrier, like ones with ceramides, which are a type of fat naturally found in skin that makes up roughly 50% of the skin’s outer layer.

She explains that keeping a consistent skincare routine—no matter how chaotic life gets—can help too. This means staying hydrated and using a gentle cleanser once or twice a day. And, according to Dr. Vaidya, getting enough sleep is important as well. Scientific research shows a connection between poor sleep and increased acne severity due to an increase in inflammation. 

Of course, Dr. Vaidya says it’s also important to have proper stress-reducing habits in place, such as exercise or mindfulness. Knowing how to properly manage stress is important for overall health, not just skin health. 

Knowing how stress can impact skin, it can be helpful to think of a breakout as a sign to check in with yourself about how you are doing mentally. Instead of freaking out over a zit or breakout, consider it an opportunity to prioritize self-care. And remember: Stress and breakouts are both temporary. 

https://parade.com/health/weird-way-stress-shows-up-on-skin-according-to-dermatologist