What Causes Breakouts During High Stress Periods
Have you ever noticed pimples popping up right when life gets overwhelming, like during a tough week at work or before a big exam? This happens because stress triggers hormones that mess with your skin in specific ways.
When you feel stressed, your body pumps out a hormone called cortisol from the adrenal glands. Cortisol tells the sebaceous glands in your skin to make more oil, known as sebum. This extra oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, clogging your pores and leading to breakouts.[1][3]
Stress also ramps up inflammation. Hormones like cortisol and CRH increase inflammatory molecules, making pimples red, swollen, and painful. They slow down healing too, so spots stick around longer.[1][2]
Your skin’s protective barrier gets weaker under stress. Cortisol disrupts it, causing dehydration underneath while the surface looks oily. This odd mix makes skin more prone to irritation and bacteria like C. acnes, which thrive in clogged pores.[1][2][3]
Poor sleep often tags along with stress and worsens things. Studies show people with sleep issues, like trouble falling asleep, have a higher risk of acne because it ties into hormone shifts and more oil production.[4]
Negative emotions from stress, such as anxiety or depression, create a loop. They aggravate acne, and the breakouts then add more emotional pressure, keeping the cycle going.[1][4]
Research backs this up. A study of medical students found higher stress levels linked to worse acne. Other reviews confirm cortisol boosts oil glands and inflammation directly.[1][2]
Breakouts from stress often show up as deep, tender nodules around the jawline or chin, different from regular pimples.[3]
Sources
https://consciouschemist.com/blogs/good-skin-blog/stress-acne-is-real-here-s-how-to-treat-and-calm-it-fast
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735603/
https://www.trummed.com/info-detail/not-just-pms-when-cortisol-quietly-triggers-your-breakouts
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12688717/
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/balancing-pathophysiology-and-patient-lifestyle-in-acne-management-part-2
