Students (and teachers) of all levels are counting down to the start of summer. However, there are lots of assignments and deadlines between now and then. Don’t let stress get the best of you and your skin.
What is Stress Acne?
Stress acne is a type of acne that is triggered or intensified by stress. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, stress can contribute to the development of acne through various physiological and hormonal pathways.
Although stress may not directly cause acne, there are several research studies that suggest the hormonal shift related to stress helps catalyze the onset of acne.
A 2020 study points out that there is no one-way relationship between acne and stress. Many life events that happen in the spring such as university exams or getting married may increase acne lesions. The psychological effects of having acne can interfere with someone’s quality of life, leading to anxiety and depression.
Regardless of if your acne is caused by hormones or other issues, we want you to get control of stress acne before the start of summer. Here are some ways in which stress may be linked to acne.
Causes of Stress Acne
Hormonal Changes
Stress activates the body's "fight or flight" response, leading to an increase in the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Elevated cortisol levels can stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more oil (sebum). Excess sebum, combined with dead skin cells, can clog hair follicles, creating an environment conducive to the development of acne.
Inflammation
Stress is associated with inflammation, and inflammation plays a role in the development and aggravation of acne. Inflammatory responses in the body can contribute to the redness, swelling and discomfort associated with acne bumps or lesions.
Immune System Function
Chronic stress may impact the immune system, potentially compromising the body's ability to fight off bacteria and other factors that contribute to acne development. An impaired immune response can lead to increased susceptibility to skin infections and inflammation. Therefore, when an immune system is weakened, breakouts are more likely to occur.
Altered Skin Barrier Function
Stress affects the integrity of the skin barrier. A weakened skin barrier may allow bacteria to penetrate more easily, contributing to the formation of acne.
Changes in Lifestyle Habits
Other research in 2017 and 2020 supports the idea that psychological factors influence the development of stress acne.
During periods of stress, individuals may adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms such as poor dietary choices, inadequate sleep and neglect of skincare routines. These lifestyle factors can also directly contribute to acne development.
It's important to note that while stress can be a contributing factor, acne is a complex condition influenced by various factors including genetics, hormones, diet and skincare habits. Not everyone who experiences stress will develop acne, and not everyone with acne has stress as their primary acneic trigger. Individual responses to stress and the impact it has on the skin can vary.
Preventing and Treating Stress Acne
A 2020 international panel discussion suggests that doctors and dermatologists should question acne patients about their daily lives. Sleep, stress and emotions may be triggering factors that they can address.
Managing stress during graduation season is the first thing you can do to prepare your skin for the start of summer. Furthermore, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, practicing good skincare and ensuring adequate sleep, can help minimize the potential impact of stress on acne. If stress-related acne becomes persistent or severe, consulting with a dermatologist or healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options is advisable.
Preventing and treating stress acne involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, skincare practices, and, in some cases, medical interventions. Here are five strategies for preventing and treating stress acne:
- Stress Management
- Practice stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Engage in regular physical activity, which can help reduce stress levels and promote overall well-being.
- Prioritize adequate sleep and establish healthy sleep habits to support stress management and skin health.
- Healthy Lifestyle Habits
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Limit consumption of processed foods, sugary snacks and foods high in refined carbohydrates, which may worsen acne.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help keep the skin hydrated and flush out toxins.
- Limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking, as these habits can contribute to skin inflammation and intensify acne.
- Skincare Routine
- Use gentle, non-comedogenic skincare products that are suitable for your skin type. Avoid harsh cleansers and abrasive scrubs that can irritate the skin and aggravate acne.
- Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser to remove dirt, oil and impurities. Avoid over-washing or scrubbing the skin, as this can strip away natural oils and disrupt the skin barrier.
- Use oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizers and sunscreens to keep the skin hydrated and protected from sun damage without clogging pores.
- Consider incorporating acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, schizophyllan or retinoids into your skincare routine to help prevent and treat acne breakouts. Start with lower concentrations to minimize potential irritation, and gradually increase as tolerated. Schizphyllan is a mushroom-derived, beta glucan from the cell wall of the Schizophyllumcommune A proven biological defense modulator backed by numerous studies and independent trials. A dermatologist-conducted study showed that 30 days of application of the formulation resulted in a 63% improvement in skin condition and complexion.
- Avoid Touching or Picking at Acne Lesions
- Refrain from touching, picking or squeezing acne breakouts, bumps or lesions. This can worsen inflammation, increase the risk of scarring and spread bacteria to other areas of the skin.
- Medical Interventions
- Consult a dermatologist for personalized treatment recommendations if over-the-counter skincare products are not effective in managing stress acne.
- Prescription medications such as topical retinoids, topical or oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives (for women), and oral isotretinoin may be recommended for moderate to severe cases of acne.
- In-office procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion or laser therapy can also be used to help improve acne and reduce acne-related scarring.
It is important to be patient and consistent with your skincare routine and treatment plan, as it may take time to see improvement in stress acne. Additionally, addressing underlying stress and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help support long-term skin health and overall well-being.
HyaGlo® Can Help
Get your start of summer skin ready with HyaGlo® products powered by our proprietary hyaluronic acid. One of the primary functions of hyaluronan is maintaining tissue hydration. Interestingly, hyaluronan is so hydrophilic that it can absorb, retain and deliver over 1,000 times its weight in water (Wand, 2007). The ubiquitous nature of the hyaluronan molecule ensures hydrophilic delivery takes place throughout all skin tissue.
Our unique all-natural topical hyaluronic acid (HA) formula, Glysyn Hyaluronan, has been trademarked since 2011 as a molecularly optimized formula for maximum hydration and moisture absorption. Check out these HyaGlo products to get you through your spring stressors.
HyaGlo® Clarifying Serum
If you are fighting stress acne, consider trying HyaGlo Clarifying Serum. It is a revolutionary formula that combines the benefits of beta glucans from schizophyllan to relieve and restore blemished skin as well as improve skin texture and appearance with our all-natural topical hyaluronic acid formula. Schizophyllan is a powerful beta glucan derived from mushrooms to naturally clarify and restore problem skin.
HyaGlo Clarifying Serum is the perfect addition to your skin care routine. As you spend more time studying and stressing, you are more prone to stress acne. Clarifying Serum can help soothe the acne. It works well on any problem skin or skin irritations you might encounter.
Created for problematic skin and adults suffering from cystic acne, gently massage Clarifying Serum into the affected area after cleaning and as needed.
HyaGlo® Moisturizer
One of the best ways to help moisturize and hydrate your skin is with a high-quality, all-natural moisturizer like HyaGlo Moisturizer. This highly concentrated HA moisturizer is designed to enhance hydration and soothe skin with all-natural, effective ingredients.
It is enriched with Glysyn® Hyaluronan, our vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid formula to draw in moisture for healthy skin hydration. It is designed to enhance hydration and soothe skin and is uniquely and naturally water-based to eliminate the need for chemical manipulation.
HyaGlo Moisturizer contains two other key ingredients besides water - marshmallow root and peptide complex.
Marshmallow root is derived from the root of the Altaea plant. It is known to relieve occasional skin irritation, help soften skin, and have aseptic qualities. It also provides relief from occasional itching, redness and chafing. Marshmallow root is tolerable by those with hypersensitive skin.
Peptide complex helps penetrate the outer layer of skin more deeply and signal to the skin to increase production of collagen and elastin. Regular use leads to firmer, more youthful-looking skin, and it works well in tandem with hyaluronic acid. This peptide complex reduces the appearance of dark undereye circles and improves the skin’s natural defense barrier for protection from rays, pollution and other toxins.
HyaGlo Moisturizer is suited for all skin types. For the best results, use morning and night after cleansing your skin with your favorite face wash. It works best when used over the HyaGlo Hydrating Serum.
HyaGlo® Hydrating Serum
Get your start of summer skin ready with HyaGlo® Hydrating Serum! This concentrated all-natural, scientific serum replenishes skin and results in plump, glowing and noticeably smoother skin. Like other HyaGlo products, Glysyn Hyaluronan is the key ingredient in this all-natural skin serum, our first and most popular HyaGlo product.
Hydrating Serum is true to its name. It works naturally to relieve dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin.
Repeated applications of HyaGlo Hydrating Serum results in a long-term skincare solution that addresses the source of concern without using abrasive substances or chemicals found in other cosmetics. It is water-based so it does not have a need for chemical manipulation. Designed for all skin types, it should be applied twice daily after washing your face. This is the ideal product to add to your skin care routine when trying to eliminate stress or making improved lifestyle changes.
HyaGlo Facial Mist
HyaGlo® Facial Mist is a vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid facial mist or setting spray that instantly refreshes skin and boosts hydration. This face spray is infused with cucumber and hydrophilic (water-loving) hyaluronic acid for a quick hydration boost with skin soothing properties.
We combined two of our favorite key ingredients – Glysyn® Hyaluronan and cucumber extract – to develop a mist that delivers hydration deeply into the skin. Cucumber extract provides soothing and cooling effects, making it especially beneficial for those with sensitive or irritated skin. Cucumber is also known as a superfood for the skin.
It is a popular ingredient in skincare because it has been used for decades to address common skin concerns like hydration, aging and inflammation – all potential causes of acne flare-up’s.
Loaded with antioxidants, which help fight oxidative damage caused by free radicals, the cucumber extracts are also rich in vitamin C, caffeic acid and folic acid. These can help to brighten skin, increase collagen production and defend against premature aging of the skin. The cooling effect of cucumbers may also help ease occasional irritation caused by acne.
Use the HyaGlo Facial Mist on clean skin throughout the day to prime and hydrate. It will boost your skin hydration, making you feel refreshed.
More About HyaGlo
We strive to provide outstanding customer service with the simplest solutions in healthy skincare, based on the highest all-natural quality ingredients that are fully traceable and third-party tested.
All HyaGlo® products are
- Vegan-Friendly
- Odorless
- Free of artificial color
- Non-GMO
- Cruelty-Free
- Research-Proven
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-Comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- All-natural
HyaGlo is made in Lexington, Kentucky, and packaged in glass bottles. All products are safe for your skin and designed for all skin types and tones. There is no need to guess if HyaGlo will work for oily, dry or combination skin. It’s a product ideal for all types.
Get Ready for Start of Summer Now!
Don’t stress about getting your skin picture perfect for all of those graduation, wedding and summer vacation photos. You can incorporate HyaGlo into your skincare routine today along with other lifestyle changes that will have your skin looking fresh and blemish-free.
Perhaps the best thing about HyaGlo is that you can purchase it online with a simple auto-ship option so you never run out of your favorite skincare product again!
HyaGlo is also sold at select retailers. Find one near you today.
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