The Connection Between Stress & Acne

Stress can wear us down mentally and physically, and it can also show up on our skin as acne.

Stress does not directly cause every acne breakout, but it can worsen acne in people who are already prone to it. During periods of stress, the skin may produce more oil and experience increased inflammation, which can contribute to clogged pores and more noticeable breakouts.

It’s a reminder that internal health and emotional well-being are closely linked to skin health.

At SBMA, we emphasize the importance of understanding both internal and external factors when addressing acne. Supporting the skin starts with stress-reducing habits and thoughtful skincare.

Here are a few tips to help manage stress-related breakouts:

  • Get quality sleep to support your skin’s natural healing process.
  • Stay consistent with a gentle skincare routine using calming, clarifying ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
  • Avoid over-exfoliating, especially during times of stress, when the skin barrier may already be compromised.
  • Support your body with balanced meals, hydration, and daily movement.
On the outside, a thoughtful skincare routine with gentle cleansers, calming ingredients, and targeted treatments can make a big difference. Acne is a common skin condition, and by learning to recognize the different factors that may contribute to acne, our students are better prepared to help others care for their skin in a supportive and informed way.

We use meticulously selected, high-quality product lines at the school clinic. Here are a few of our favorites for acne-prone skin from Sanitas:

Beta Clarifying Cleanser

This gentle cleanser uses salicylic acid and niacinamide to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and help rebalance stressed, acne-prone skin.

Tea Tree Mask

This purifying mask combines clay, tea tree oil, and green tea extract to draw out impurities, fight breakouts, and calm irritated skin.

Estheticians can help clients develop appropriate skin-care routines and provide services within their scope of practice, but persistent, severe, painful, or scarring acne should be evaluated by a dermatologist.