Are stress breakouts a real thing? And can they occur in adults AND teenagers too?
We hear a lot about stress breakouts and yes, it is a thing. Stress breakouts are a common occurrence and can happen both to young adolescents and to adults.
Nowadays we have all grown aware of the impact stress has in our bodies and minds.
Stress can show itself as the emotional, mental or physical feeling of being overwhelmed. You might feel you are not able to cope with pressure, or experience fear and anxiety, as if there was something threatening around you.
Stress can play havoc on the body, mind, immune system and skin.
Have you heard of the fight or flight mode? This is the response of your body to stress - it's your body telling you should either run for your life or fight for your life when facing a threatening situation.
What happens to our skin when we are stressed?
Stress triggers excessive adrenaline production, leading to inflammation within the body, which then increases our stress hormone, cortisol.
The first signs of stress on our skin are stress breakouts.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is our body's stress hormone. It prepares our body to deal with the stress brought on by the physical, mental or emotional state we're experiencing.
How does Cortisol affect our skin?
1. Cortisol, when in overdrive, tells our oil glands to produce more oil.
This increase in oil in our sebaceous glands leads to clogging of the pores, which in turn causes breakouts - stress breakouts.
2. Cortisol can affect our collagen production.
An increase in cortisol levels damages our collagen fibres making our skin denser and less elastic, ultimately leading to those bumby or dented breakouts.
Can our diet increase our stress hormones?
Besides our 'usual' stressful situations brought upon by modern life, certain food choices can also increase our stress hormones.
For instance sugar, dairy and processed foods could be the leading cause behind your stress breakouts.
Although we know it's easier said than done, getting adequate sleep, having a healthy and balanced diet, exercising and drinking enough water are some of the actions you can take that will help reduce your cortisol levels.
Where on the face do we see the stress-related breakouts?
Stress breakouts are a result of the overproduction of oil, so you will find the breakouts on the oiliest part of our face, which is the T-zone, forehead, nose and chin.
You can also have stress breakouts on the jawline.
Do stress breakouts happen only on the face?
Stress plays a major role in the overall of your body, so you may also find stress breakouts in other areas of the body like the chest or back.
What other stress-related skin conditions or concerns can we get?
The following skin concerns can be brought on by stress in the body:
- Acne
- Dehydration
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Hives
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Fine lines and wrinkles
Best products to get rid of stress acne:
A fresh, foaming cleanser that lathers away excess oil and sebum without stripping moisture from the skin. It gently exfoliates pore-clogging surface skin with salicylic acid and contains purifying botanicals that help to keep pores clear.
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A probiotic-packed, luxurious night serum that works to balance, hydrate and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep. As part of your nightly skincare routine, Reboot helps restore youthful-looking contours overnight for a radiant, healthier-looking complexion by morning.
Cosmedix Skin Thirst is a ultra-hydrating lightweight moisturiser, formulated to boost the skins hydration levels, whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores on the skin.
About The Author:
My name is Sari Pols,
I have been in the skincare industry for over 15 years. My passion lies in ‘Health’. Health for the skin and body. My philosophy is if we have good well-being on the inside, then it shows our vitality on the outside.
I have furthered my knowledge of Skin Anatomy, Skin Concerns, and Fitness. I am a true believer in how to make my clients feel their best both inside and out. My emphasis is on guiding my clients through their journey of skin concerns and conditions. I like to educate my clients and find the potential triggers for their concerns or condition, so together we can eliminate the root of the cause. I aim to give personalised consultations with treatment and correct prescribed skin products.
