What Causes Stress Acne & What Helps!

What Causes Stress Acne & What Helps!

First things first: What causes stress acne? Stress, of course, but it's a little bit deeper than that. They’re a problem, but breakouts are just a normal part of having skin.

What Is Stress Acne?


In times of stress, your stress hormones rise and trigger your oil glands to produce more oil, which then triggers acne flares.
Emotional stress triggers an increased release of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is key in causing stress acne breakouts as well. When cortisol levels rise, they disrupt levels of hormones that regulate sebum balance and result in clogged pores and the development of acne. In other words: More oil production means more clogged pores, and more clogged pores mean more breakouts.

Stress acne, as opposed to other types of breakouts, will usually appear in the oiliest areas of your face. They typically appear on the T-zone. When this is the case, the acne is usually accompanied by dilated pores, shininess, blackheads, whiteheads, and uneven or grainy skin. Regular acne, on the other hand, might not appear with these accompanying symptoms. Similarly, stress acne is often accompanied by telltale signs like redness and itchiness.

How to treat stress acne:

Find products that work with your skin, not against it. Give your skin natural nourishment. Avoid giving it damage caused by harsh toxins & chemicals. If you work with your skin, the results will be there one step at a time. Research indicates tea tree is about as effective as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in the treatment of acne.

Products you can use:

Tea Tree Face Wash
Pure Tea Tree Soap
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Grape seed Oil


In conclusion, acne is a common problem with easy solutions. If you’re unsure about the kind of acne you have, book a free consultation with our in-house skin specialist & get answers to all your skin concerns!

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.