Yes, the stress hormone, cortisol, can play a surprising role in making acne worse. If you’re navigating breakouts in Vancouver, understanding this connection can empower you to take smarter, more holistic steps toward clearer skin.
Keep reading to learn more!
The Cortisol–Acne Connection
How Stress Triggers Acne
When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which can clog pores and trigger or worsen acne flare-ups. Cortisol also increases inflammation and weakens the skin barrier, making breakouts more persistent and slower to heal.
What Studies Reveal
Research shows that stress levels correlate with acne severity, higher stress often means more intense breakouts. Although stress doesn’t always increase oil production directly, cortisol can still contribute to acne by enhancing inflammation and triggering hormonal activity within the skin.
What This Means for Your Skin Routine
Stress-induced acne often appears in areas like the jawline or hairline and may feel tender or cystic. If you’re noticing persistent flare-ups, it’s likely not just skincare, it’s whole-body stress.
Smarter Ways to Manage Stress-Related Acne
1. Prioritize Gentle, Restorative Treatments
Reduce inflammatory stress on your skin with clinically proven treatments like calming facials, gentle peels, and medical grade skincare. These support skin healing and barrier recovery.
2. Complement Skin Therapy with Internal Wellness
At Skinnovate, combining external treatments with our member-focused IV therapies, naturopathic support, supplements, and diagnostic services ensures that you’re addressing both the surface and the root causes of acne.
3. Manage Stress with Lifestyle Practices
To help lower cortisol levels naturally:
- Prioritize restful sleep
- Engage in mindfulness or meditation
- Incorporate gentle movement, like yoga or walking
- Create small daily routines that provide calm and consistency
4. Support Your Skin Between Visits
Use expert-formulated, barrier-supportive medical grade skincare. A healthy epidermis can better withstand stress-related inflammation and help speed recovery.
Conclusion
Cortisol, the body’s natural stress response hormone, can deepen inflammation, congestion, and delay healing, turning modest breakouts into ongoing concerns. Accepting this link is your first step toward relief.
Start Your Journey to Healthier Skin
At Skinnovate in Coal Harbour, we combine advanced skin treatments with naturopathic wellness care to target both the surface and the root causes of acne. Ready to take the next step?