As the body’s largest organ, your skin often reflects what’s really going on beneath the surface, especially when it comes to your mental health1. So if you’ve ever noticed an acne flare-up when you’re stressed, there’s a good chance it’s linked to how you’ve been feeling1.
This guide explores how mental health issues, like stress, can be linked to acne and the health of your skin. Let’s take a closer look.
Dealing with acne? Self-care is important
Most people are familiar with the benefits of practising self-care for their mental health, but did you know it can also help minimise acne, too? Thanks to the close link between acne and mental health, taking a few minutes to yourself can make a huge difference to your mindset, and ultimately, your complexion.
Self-care tips for acne and mental health
Self-care looks different for everyone, so it helps to find something that allows you to relax and unwind. Whether that’s enjoying a nutritious meal, listening to your favourite music or treating yourself to a fresh manicure, a bit of self-care could be just what you need to support your mind and skin.
Diet and sleep
If you find that your skin is affected by sugary, greasy foods and dairy products2, nourishing your body with a healthy, balanced diet can do wonders for your mind and skin. Besides diet, sleep quality can have a significant impact on your mental health2 too, so it often helps to practice good sleep hygiene to help keep your mind and skin clear.
Mindfulness and meditation
Practising stress-reduction techniques during busy periods can help you to overcome feelings of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness activities, including breathwork, exercise and meditation, can all go a long way to helping you unwind.
But mindfulness doesn’t stop there. Practising mindful skincare is a great way to help you slow down and relax while taking care of your complexion. If you’re experiencing breakouts or acne, it’s important to keep your skin clean with a routine3 using products that are gentle on your skin.
Understanding anxiety acne
Anxiety and acne share a close bond, so much so that anxiety-induced acne has earned the term “anxiety acne.” And while anxiety usually isn’t the sole cause of acne, it can often exacerbate existing skin issues and trigger new breakouts4.
When you experience anxiety, your body releases stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline4. These stress hormones, particularly cortisol, stimulate the sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more oil, creating an environment for breakouts and acne.
And while anxiety can lead to acne and breakouts, these types of skin concerns can often lead to psychological distress and low self-esteem, further exacerbating the issue4,5.
What does anxiety acne look like?
Everyone reacts to anxiety differently, so it makes sense that the skin can react differently too. That said, common characteristics of anxiety acne include sudden flare-ups, red or inflamed bumps and painful cysts1.
Does anxiety cause acne?
When it comes to the link between anxiety and acne, it turns out there’s actually a two-way relationship4. While there’s evidence to suggest that external stressors and anxiety can cause acne or trigger a flare-up, it’s usually not the sole cause behind breakouts4,5.
And while stress and anxiety can lead to breakouts and acne, these types of skin conditions can also impact mood, self-esteem and social relationships4,5. So it’s important to take the time to care for yourself, eat nourishing foods and ensure you get enough sleep.
How does acne affect quality of life?
The impact of acne can extend beyond physical symptoms, impacting various aspects of people’s daily living in terms of their social, emotional and psychological dimensions6.
It’s clear that there’s a link between mental health and acne, with these types of skin conditions negatively impacting self-esteem and leading to anxiety and social withdrawal5.
If you’re experiencing mental health issues or skin concerns, it can be comforting to know that you’re not alone. Whether you’d like to support your body and mind from the inside with a balanced, nutritious diet and supplements, or focus on the health of your skin with gentle skincare products, there’s a range of options for you.
Packed with high-quality ingredients to support your health and wellbeing, explore the range to find a regime that suits your needs.
Please see a healthcare professional if you are experiencing symptoms of low mood or depression. Lifeline is available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.
References:
- Hammill C, Vaillancourt T. Acne and its association with internalizing problems. Dermatol Rev. 2023; 4: 228-238. doi:10.1002/der2.181
- Yang, J., Yang, H., Xu, A., & He, L. (2020). A Review of Advancement on Influencing Factors of Acne: An Emphasis on Environment Characteristics. Frontiers in public health, 8, 450. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00450
- Ludmann, P. and Schleehauf, B. (2022) Acne: Tips for managing, American Academy of Dermatology. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/tips (Accessed: 26 February 2025).
- Öztekin, C., & Öztekin, A. (2020). The association of depression, loneliness and internet addiction levels in patients with acne vulgaris. BioPsychoSocial medicine, 14, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-020-00190-y
- Morshed, A. S. M., Noor, T., Uddin Ahmed, M. A., Mili, F. S., Ikram, S., Rahman, M., Ahmed, S., & Uddin, M. B. (2023). Understanding the impact of acne vulgaris and associated psychological distress on self-esteem and quality of life via regression modeling with CADI, DLQI, and WHOQoL. Scientific reports, 13(1), 21084. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48182-6
- Yazici, K., Baz, K., Yazici, A. E., Köktürk, A., Tot, S., Demirseren, D., & Buturak, V. (2004). Disease-specific quality of life is associated with anxiety and depression in patients with acne. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV, 18(4), 435–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.00946.x
