Stress Can Cause Acne?

[snopes]

Chronically bad skin or the occasional nasty breakout can be a major source of stress. That much is known. But what about the reverse? Although scientists have suspected for some time that emotional stress can cause or worsen acne, the evidence for the claim has mostly been weak, stemming largely from anecdotal reports and a few small studies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/health/20real.html

[FullMetal]

I'm under a ton of stress at home and work lately, and I've been getting more acne... granted i've been eating like shit lately too, (doesn't help the stress, I'm fixing that though now. )

It's possible that things that happen because of stress, worsen the acne. i think to do a proper study they'll have to look at all the factors that are in there. food that's eaten. (usually when you're under stress you tend to eat poorly, and tend to eat a lot more junk food because of percieved lack of time and cravings.

[Lancastrian]

Originally Posted by FullMetal

I'm under a ton of stress at home and work lately, and I've been getting more acne... granted i've been eating like shit lately too, (doesn't help the stress, I'm fixing that though now. )

It's possible that things that happen because of stress, worsen the acne. i think to do a proper study they'll have to look at all the factors that are in there. food that's eaten. (usually when you're under stress you tend to eat poorly, and tend to eat a lot more junk food because of percieved lack of time and cravings.

I'm fairly certain food intake is not what effects your acne, but only what gets on your skin. The grease has to be topical to clog the pores.

[inkrose115]

Acne tends to get your pores clogged up with bacteria as well. If you're stressed it weakens your immune system, so I would think that it could make the acne worse.

[Artemis]

Yes, I'd always heard that junk food causing acne was a myth. But does grease from your food really going to cause acne, even? surely any food you get on your face from food is only going to be around your mouth.