How Can Stress Cause Pimples?
Increased levels of stress stimulate the body’s production of various hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones trigger different changes in the skin, such as increased oil and sebum production. Excess oil and sebum can easily clog pores, leading to pimples or inflamed acne outbreaks and other skin conditions. Several studies have been done on college students to track their acne levels during periods of low stress (regular class work and vacations) and periods of high stress (exams). The findings have concluded that while stress is not the only factor that can influence the severity of acne – diet, health, climate, and age are additional factors – stress is likely to increase the severity of acne outbreaks, causing more painful, inflamed pimples that may be more noticeable. Individuals who tend to be meticulous about their appearance may become even more stressed as they develop acne, leading to even more severe symptoms and more numerous pimples.
