Is Stress Related to Acne?

Could your lifestyle be the cause of your acne? No, but the way you live does affect your entire body. Your skin is no exception. The hours you keep, your career and even what you do in your spare time can take a toll on the epidermis. This is true especially for those who are prone to acne. Here are some everyday acne triggers that you may have never thought about and how to avoid them.

Some parts of your skin are always exposed to the environment you are in. It is important to be aware of the substances that regularly come in contact with your skin. You could be exposing your skin to comedogenic (pore clogging) substance and not even being aware of it. An example of this type of exposure can be found in the airborne grease from a fast food restaurant. It can create an invisible film on your skin and clogs your pores. Most industrial oils are comedogenic, for example, those used in cars, bicycles and in factories.

You may be surprised to learn that the best thing you can do for your skin is sleep. Scientist and mothers everywhere will tell you that a good night’s sleep, consisting of at least eight hours, can do wonders for your complexion. So, how is it that sleep is so beneficial? If your body is well rested, it has the resources to build a strong immune system. While a healthy immune system will not prevent acne entirely, it can help battle infection so lesions clear up faster. The key is to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. If you work late, sleep late. Uninterrupted sleep in the daytime is just as beneficial as nighttime.

Protecting your skin by using sunscreen is very important if you spend much time outdoors. Make sure you use a product free of oil that has UVA and UVB protection as well as an SPF level of at least 15.

It is vital that one use sunscreen for protection from the sun, when one is out in the sun for prolonged periods. For this one needs to find an oil free product with a minimum SPF 15 level and also with protection from UVA and UVB rays.

It is a fact that stress plays a major role in causing acne. “Ninety percent of my patients complain about what stress does to their skin. It has a huge impact, and it’s becoming a bigger problem every day,” says Katie Rodan, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University.

Emotional anxiety caused from a number of factors in your life can read like a book on your face. This is purely a chemical connection. As you tense up, your adrenal glands start working, flooding your bloodstream with the hormone, cortisol. This causes the sweat glands in your face to produce more oil. When your sebaceous glands kick into high gear, it is very likely that this excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores, trapping bacteria inside; thus resulting in more acne, primarily inflamed papules rather than blackheads or whiteheads.

It is highly unlikely you will be able to rid your entire life of stress. It is, after all, a normal part of life. A healthy lifestyle, however, can do much to diminish the damage. Make sure you eat well and get plenty of sleep every night, at least seven hours. These habits will help you ward off the negative effects stress can have on your body. Exercise of some sort, which could be as simple as taking a daily walk, is also good. You must also learn how to relax. Participation in calming activities like reading, taking a bath, and practicing yoga will help keep you content, which can go a long way toward keeping you healthy. This is vital for your entire body, not just your skin.