When we’re stressed, our bodies produce hormones (such as cortisol and adrenal androgens), neuropeptides (nerve proteins such as endorphins and insulin) and inflammatory cytokines (small proteins that trigger inflammation) which influence the behavior of the sebaceous glands and can aggravate acne.*1
You can find out more about the sebaceous glands in the development of acne and the causes and triggers of acne. You can also read more in acne and hormones.
Numerous research reports, many of which are questionnaire-based, suggest that acne patients associate their condition with stress with between 50% and 80% of them agreeing to statements that stress makes acne worse.*1 One study shows that patients with acne reported a lag time of two days between a stressful episode and the exacerbation of acne. *1
Stress can also cause some people to pick at their blemishes which can spread bacteria and cause more inflammation so that mild acne symptoms get worse. This is known as Acne Excoriée and you can find out more about it in the different types of acne.
Once blemishes have been triggered, research has also show that stress slows down wound healing by up to 40 %*3 so blemishes are likely to take longer to heal.