In France, nearly 6 million people are affected by acne. This skin disease characterized by the appearance of pimples is the first cause of consultation among dermatologists. It generally affects adolescents but also adults and in particular women, since on average 50% of them suffer from skin problems. If at 15 you treated your pimples with lotions, creams and other treatments recommended by doctors, adult acne involves a whole host of causes such as diet, lifestyle, pollution and hormones and especially stress - and because of this, adult acne is much more difficult to eliminate.

According to a 2017 research review in “The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology”, a questionnaire validated by a dermatologist and presented to 3 women aged 305 to 25 in France, revealed that 40% of women suffered from adult acne, and that stress was among the main factors in the majority of women. women interviewed.

What is the connection ? When we feel stress, our adrenal glands release a hormone called cortisol into the bloodstream. The role of cortisol is to help the body gather energy to respond to a threat that the brain perceives, but when stress becomes constant and cortisol levels explode, things get complicated. Who says high level of cortisol, says activation of sebocytes, these famous cells that produce sebum. These activated sebocytes also release cytokines, one of the main components contributing to acne breakouts. Additionally, chronic stress can lead to an imbalanced microbiome in which acne-causing bacteria can thrive.

An increase in sebum, inflammation and bacteria, and you have the perfect combo to create a whole slew of pimples on your face, chest or back. People suffering from chronic stress are more prone to this type of acne, and can sometimes develop dermatillomania, an obsessive-compulsive disorder that results in the urge and the irrepressible need to scratch and pull out pimples in an attempt to clear them. make disappear. According to Alexandra Vignon, this pathology is not to be taken lightly: “ dermatillomania raises psychic questions of stress, poor management of emotions, things left unsaid, things that are not externalized, which makes you blame yourself". Nothing trivial in this conclusion since in June 2021 the “National Institute for Health and Care Excellence” in the United Kingdom recommended psychological support for people severely affected by their acne.

No doubt stress is an aggravating factor in adult acne, but we must not forget its symptoms such as sugar cravings which cause a spike in insulin, this hormone also linked to the production of sebum, as well as the lack of sleep which particularly affects the skin.

If your diet is rich in sugar, be sure to reduce the dose, also beware of cigarettes and alcohol, which do not mix well with the skin. Also take a look at the composition of your beauty products, do they contain harmful and/or comedogenic ingredients? Find products that contain natural ingredients, CBD, niacinamide and also zinc (natural active ingredients known for their effectiveness against blemishes). In short, care that is good for you and your skin.

If you find that you mainly have rashes during your period, you are probably suffering from hormonal acne related to your cycle rather than acne related to stress, in this specific case it is recommended to speak to your gynecologist. to take stock of the methods of contraception and the possible solutions.

The only way to tell if acne is stress-related is to take a step back and assess recent stress levels. If you've had a lot of stress lately or are particularly anxious by nature, look no further!

Understanding the role stress plays in our lives is the first step to managing its symptoms. Take a deep breath and start thinking about solutions: breathing techniques, meditation, reducing sugar, caffeine, alcohol or screens, and regular physical activity can only do you good to keep healthy skin. "If you're stressed, buy yourself a watch, put your phone in your bag, go for a walk, get out of your daily life, and breathe!” advises Alexandra Vignon. On the food side, we focus on organic foods rich in essential nutrients, and we cook at home: draw ideas from our article on anti-acne foods. 

If your bathroom is overflowing, sort it out (all advice from Christine Tessier, storage coach to efficiently sort your beauty products) and bet on natural anti-stress care such as hemp and/or CBD oil whose benefits on the skin and sleep are clinically proven.

Discover our anti-imperfection range for healthy and soothed skin.