10 Ways to Help Clear Stress Acne

by Emily Linehan on May 12, 2022

You may have noticed that during stressful times in your life you seem to break out more. This is no coincidence! Stress greatly affects our hormones, which then affects the skin. When we are stressed out, our endocrine system secretes increased levels of cortisol and androgens. When this happens, we produce more oil on our face which leads to… increased acne.

If you’re struggling with stress induced acne, here are a few tips to help you on your way to clear skin.

Exfoliate Regularly

Regular exfoliation is a great habit to get into when it comes to acne, but it’s important to make sure that you are using a gentle exfoliant since rough exfoliants can cause micro-tears in the skin. You may not be able to see these micro-tears, but they ultimately cause chronic inflammation that later snowballs into premature aging of the skin. If the exfoliant is gentle enough you can exfoliate daily, but if you’re unsure, always check in with a skincare professional.

Tip: The best tool you can use to exfoliate at home is your hands! While skin brushes are marketed to "deep pore clean" the skin, they often do more harm than good due to their tendency to harbor bacteria and create damaging micro tears in the skin.

Spend Time With Friends and Family

It may sound pretty obvious, but a huge part of decreasing stress-caused acne is by finding ways to decrease the amount of stress in your life. Spending time with friends, family, and loved ones is a proven method for decreasing stress. Grab a coffee with a friend and catch up, or start a group chat that you regularly communicate in. These are just a few simple, but powerful, ways to decrease stress.

Do More of What You Love

Is there a hobby that you used to do fairly often, but you just seemed to stop? Start that hobby up again! Another proven method for decreasing feelings of stress is enjoying how you are spending your time. Whether it’s arts and crafts, baking, or anything else, make a commitment to yourself to get back into a project you feel excited about.

Take a Social Media Break

We’ve all seen the articles and documentaries about the negative effects of social media. Taking a break from social media platforms, even if it’s just for a day or two, can have major benefits on your mental health.

Fuel Your Body

When we’re stressed, it can be easy to turn to comfort foods like a bag of chips or that pint of ice cream calling your name. However, sugar and dietary iodine are both huge triggers for breakouts. When you are feeling stressed out and experiencing stress acne, make sure you are fueling your body with nutritious foods!

Talk to a Mental Health Expert

It never hurts to talk to a therapist or counselor, especially when you’re experiencing the physical symptoms of stress. If at any time your stress feels unmanageable, talking to a therapist or counselor, whether it’s through an app or at a local practice should be seriously considered.

Exercise Regularly

Motivation can be hard to come by when we’re feeling stressed, but exercise is a proven way to increase feelings of wellness. It’s easy to associate de-stressing with yoga or meditation, but that doesn’t mean that’s what works for you! Maybe it’s dancing, walking, or weight lifting. The way you’re exercising isn’t important… it’s about whatever gets your body moving!

Have a Pre and Post Workout Skincare Routine

…Which brings me to my next tip. Always wash, tone, and moisturize your face before and after every workout. Sweat is a huge acne trigger and if you’re already having stress acne breakouts, you can bet that sweat will exacerbate it. If you use active serums or products like Acne Eraser that contain benzoyl peroxide, make sure you wash those off before your workout as sweat can reactivate them.

Tip: Completing your skincare routine within 5 minutes of working out is essential! To ensure you can get this done, bring your Skincare Travel Set with you to the gym!

Skincare Travel Set Skincare Set Emme Diane

Skincare Travel Set

$65.00

Take your skincare with you anywhere you go with the Skincare Travel Set! With five universal Emme Diane products, you'll have everything you need in a compact size approved for carry-on.

Included in the Skincare Travel Set:

One Mini Gentle Cleanser
One Skin Smoothing Polish
One Mini Calm Down Toner
One Skin Quencher Gel
One Moisturizer (Choose between HydraLuxe Cream and Pure Light Lotion)
One Clear Travel Bag with White Trim & Zipper

About The Skincare Travel Set

Regardless of which Skincare Set you use, the Skincare Travel Set covers all of the necessary basics. Due to its small footprint, drop this set into your carry-on, purse, workout bag, or even a diaper bag and you'll have your skincare with you for every moment life throws at you.

This set was designed to integrate into your Emme Diane Skincare Routine flawlessly. The only thing you need to remember is any applicable treatment serums (they are TSA-approved already!) and your sunscreen (also TSA-approved).

Gentle Cleanser

The Mini Gentle Cleanser is a hydrating face wash perfect for all skin types. Don't let the name fool you. It's tough on grime and makeup, while being gentle enough even for the most sensitive skin. In it's 2 oz size, it's perfect for on the go! See it in its full-size option here.

Skin Smoothing Polish

Gentle enough for daily use, our Skin Smoothing Polish is an effective exfoliant that leaves the skin feeling smooth and looking radiant. Formulated with natural silica beads (that are environmentally friendly!), our Skin Smoothing Polish helps keep the skin clear and combats the signs of aging. This 2 oz facial polish is the perfect size to go anywhere!

Calm Down Toner

Our Calm Down Toner is a must for daily use. Containing soothing Aloe Vera and patented oxygen electrolytes, Calm Down Toner gently removes impurities and leaves you with balanced skin. This 1 oz size is perfect for a quick spritz throughout the day. It even doubles as an after-sun spray!

Skin Quencher Gel Hydrator

Filled with a hydrating cocktail of ingredients, Skin Quencher Gel draws moisture to the skin and keeps you looking soft, smooth, and hydrated all day long. This humectant delivers intense hydration into the skin. In this 1 oz size, it's perfect to slip in your gym bag, purse, or carry on!

This Set has Two Options:

Option 1 | For Dry or Normal Skin: HydraLuxe Cream

HydraLuxe Cream can be used by all skin types, but is especially appropriate for normal or dry skin. This reparative cream improves the radiance, suppleness, and smoothness of your skin without clogging your pores. Designed to give you lasting hydration throughout the day, it also improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! This 1 oz size is perfect for on the go!

Option 2 | For Oily and Combination Skin Types | Pure Light Lotion

This light, fast-absorbing lotion gives you weightless hydration without clogging the pores. Perfect for oily and combination skin, Pure Light Lotion is non-greasy, giving you all-day moisture while reducing excessive oil. In a 1 oz size, you can have featherlight hydration wherever you go.

Not sure which ingredients are right for your unique skin? Make sure you fill out our online (free) consultation so we can recommend the best products for your skincare goals!

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Don’t Pick or Pop Your Pimples

Sometimes we do this mindlessly, while watching TV or waiting in line somewhere. Before we know it, our hand is on our face and we’re picking at our breakouts! However, when we pick at and pop pimples, any bacteria or dirt that is on the hands gets transferred to the lesions on the face, which can make your stress acne worse. Additionally, picking at breakouts prolongs the healing process and can result in scarring. If the damage has already been done, try not to stress and instead follow these tips.

Seek the Advice of a Skincare Expert

Lastly, if you’re struggling with acne caused by stress (or acne for any other reason!), seeking the advice of a licensed skincare professional will ensure that you’re getting personalized advice and a customized treatment that gets you the best results possible. If you’re new here, a great place to start is my free online skincare consultation. There are no obligations or strings attached, simply answer a few questions and I'll email you a complete routine recommendation as well as tips and advice customized for your unique skin!

xoxo, Emme