How to Fight Stress Acne: Natural Remedies and Treatments

Your skin is often a mirror of your mood. When stress builds up, it can manifest itself in visible and frustrating ways, such as stress acne . Are you going through a difficult time and is your skin also adding to your discomfort?

In this article, we will explore how stress affects skin health and how neurocosmetics can offer an innovative and holistic solution to regain balance and well-being, taking care of both the mind and the skin.

Stress is a complex phenomenon that accompanies the life of each of us. It can be a positive response that helps us face daily challenges ( eustress or positive stress ), but when it becomes excessive and prolonged, it can have a negative impact on our health, both physical and mental (in this case we speak of distress ).

One of the ways stress manifests itself is through the skin with the appearance or worsening of acne.

In fact, when we are under stress, our body releases hormones such as cortisol, which trigger an inflammatory response. This can also affect the skin, increasing the redness and swelling of acne lesions. In addition, stress can weaken the immune system, making us more vulnerable to bacterial infections associated with acne.

Another mechanism through which stress affects the skin is linked to lifestyle habits. In fact, in times of stress we tend to adopt less healthy behaviors, such as eating unhealthy foods and sleeping little and these can stimulate the production of sebum, an oily substance that clogs pores and promotes the formation of blackheads.

Cystic acne and hormonal acne are two particularly aggressive forms of acne that can be made worse by stress . Cystic acne, characterized by painful pimples and lumps under the skin, is often the result of a combination of factors, including stress, inflammation, and excess sebum production. Hormonal acne, on the other hand, is linked to hormonal imbalances and can be triggered or worsened by periods of intense stress.

The skin, often considered just a protective covering, is actually a complex and dynamic organ. It is our largest sensory organ, capable of perceiving touch, pain, temperature and even emotions. But not only that: the skin is also a communicative organ .

Through redness, paleness, itching or rashes, our skin "speaks", revealing to the world (and to ourselves) our deepest moods.

The connection between mind and skin is closely linked to the nervous system. The skin is full of nerve endings that constantly send signals to the brain and receive instructions from it. When we are stressed, the central nervous system sends signals to the adrenal glands which in turn release hormones such as cortisol . These hormones influence various functions of the body, including the production of sebum and skin inflammation.

How do we know if our pimples are caused by stress?

Stress acne can manifest itself in different ways, but there are some symptoms that can help us identify it:

▪️ Location : Stress pimples tend to concentrate in specific areas of the face, such as the forehead, chin and T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).

▪️ Type of lesions : They can range from small red pimples to larger, painful nodules.

▪️ Inflammation : This is a common symptom of stress acne . The skin may appear red, swollen, and sensitive to the touch.

▪️ Worsening during times of stress : Acne symptoms tend to worsen during times of particular stress, such as exams, job changes, or personal problems.

· Itching sensation : In some cases, pimples may be accompanied by itching and/or dermatitis

When we are stressed, our body releases hormones like cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” and these trigger a series of chain reactions that can affect the health of our skin:

▪️ Increased sebum production : Cortisol stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, the skin's natural oil. Excess sebum clogs pores, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and acne to develop.

▪️ Inflammation : Chronic stress causes systemic inflammation at the cellular level. This inflammation can also affect the skin, causing redness, swelling, and tenderness.

▪️ Alteration of the skin microbiome : Stress can weaken the skin barrier, making the skin more vulnerable to external aggressions and infections.

Besides stress itself, there are other factors that can contribute to stress acne :

▪️ Lack of sleep: Inadequate sleep alters hormone levels and weakens the immune system, making the skin more susceptible to acne.

▪️ Poor diet: A diet high in refined sugars and saturated fats can increase inflammation and worsen acne.

▪️ Smoking: Cigarette smoke damages the skin, reduces blood flow and contributes to premature aging.

Stress acne not only gets worse because of stress but can also increase stress itself, creating a vicious cycle .

Pimples can create discomfort and lead people to avoid social interactions, isolating themselves and lowering self-esteem, increasing stress.

To break out of this loop, you need to take action to resolve stress-induced acne .

To combat and treat stress-induced acne, it is necessary to address both the stress and the skin.

As we have seen, stress is one of the main triggers of acne. Therefore, the first line of defense is to manage stress effectively. Here are some helpful strategies:

▪️ Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises, meditation and yoga help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.

▪️ Physical activity: Regular exercise helps reduce stress, improve mood and stimulate the production of endorphins, the feel-good hormones.

▪️ Get enough sleep: Restful sleep is essential for hormonal rebalancing and cell regeneration.

▪️ Time for yourself: Set aside time each day for activities you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.

Neurocosmetics is a branch of cosmetology that focuses on the interaction between the skin and the nervous system. In fact, the ingredients used in neurocosmetics modulate some receptors that increase the production of beta-endorphin, dopamine and serotonin and counteract the release of cortisol , the stress hormone.

This is why we can say that neurocosmetics is closely linked to psychodermatology or Psycare , as it is defined today, that is, the study of the relationship between our mind and the skin.

Neurocosmetics not only improve the skin, but are absorbed deeply to stimulate the nervous system and promote a person's emotional well-being.

All Luce di Sorrento products are neurocosmetics that exploit the dual power of Sorrento Lemon essential oil , extracted through a slow steam distillation process for more than six hours, which works on both the mind and the skin.

In fact, the volatile molecules of the essential oil activate the sensory neurons present in the olfactory mucosa and transmit signals to the central nervous system producing antidepressant effects in the hippocampus area of ​​the brain, providing calm, reducing states of anxiety and stress and promoting night-time sleep . On the skin level, however, this ingredient contributes to hydration , brightness , improvement of impurities and lightening ofskin blemishes .