Understanding Your Primary Acne Trigger - Stress

Author: Jessica Gremley

STRESS

A practical guide for getting clear

Your Primary Acne Trigger is―STRESS

You’re in the right place

Congrats! You’ve taken the Acne Trigger Finder and the results are in.

Based on your answers to the questions, your PRIMARY acne trigger is Stress. And now, with this guide in hand, you’re on your way to better understanding your primary acne trigger and ways you can begin healing your skin.

REMEMBER! This guide is just one part of your Stress Clear Skin Kit. It’s critical, if you haven’t already, to watch the Online Clear Skin Training, also included inside your Clear Skin Kit.

I created this online training especially for you, because stress can have a significant impact on your acne! In the online training, I share even more secrets on how this trigger sabotages your skin, and what you can do to take back control.

Ready to learn more about your primary acne trigger?

Let’s dive in!

1. Common characteristics

Stress-induced breakouts occur within 48 hours of a stressful event.

Whether you’re going on a big date, getting ready for a job interview, moving, fighting with a friend, dealing with a tough work day, stressful situations and events can trigger your acne. Even when it’s something you’re really looking forward to!

On the other hand, if life feels like a never-ending roller coaster ride, with all the ups, downs, curves and swerves. If you’re constantly stressed and can’t seem to catch a break, know that you’re at higher risk for recurring stressed-induced acne. If this sounds like you, it might be a good opportunity to reflect on your situation and explore whether some extra support would be helpful. For the sake of your mind, heart and skin.

2. More Telltale Signs

Keep in mind that acne caused by stress fits within the category of “hormonal acne”.

Stress activates the adrenal glands and produces too many hormones (androgens) which eventually result in acne flare-ups in acne-sensitive pores. These excessive androgen

hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands beneath the skin. The increased oil production triggers the microcomedone to flare to the surface, causing an inflamed breakout.

3. Likely Landmines

In this busy world, trying to achieve “life balance” is tricky, maybe impossible.

If you’re a woman, especially be aware. Studies find that modern life presents many stressors which can aggravate acne.

Researchers found that women are especially affected by stress during their daily routine―in their jobs, taking care of the kids, their role as spouse. Women also have a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Making things worse, lack of sleep (hey, women juggle so many things, right?) adds to stress, which in turn can negatively impact health, hormonal secretion and immunity. And let’s not forget how your menstrual cycle can throw everything out of whack as well.

It’s no wonder that an ever-streaming flow of heightened stress is constantly exacerbating your breakouts.

Acne itself causes stress.

Research proves that acne leads to stress as well as anxiety and depression. According to Isabelle Vallerand, lead author of a 2018 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, "In the first year following an acne diagnosis, we were most surprised to find that these patients have a 63 percent increased risk of developing depression compared to patients who did not have acne.”

In turn, the depression and can perpetuate stress―and acne.

4. Secondary Triggers

You should know―you probably have more than one acne trigger. While identifying your primary acne trigger is crucial in your quest to get clear, please realize…

There’s MORE than one trigger aggravating your acne. We typically find that our clients have 3 to 4 triggers all impacting their skin at one time. 

These common secondary acne triggers include hormonal imbalances, gut imbalance and diet. Two acne instigators often derail your clearing  efforts as well. The first are pore-clogging ingredients in your skincare, hair care, laundry and beauty care products―even many topical acne care products! The second instigator is sticking to an acne care routine that’s unknowingly harming and/or perpetuating your acne.  

You might be aware of some of these triggers and instigators; others, you might not have had a clue they’re impacting your skin!

The important thing to know is: all systems in our body are interrelated. Triggers like stress can set off a chain reaction of secondary triggers―like eating the wrong foods, which can unsettle your gut, trigger systemic inflammation, which in turn can trigger acne. You get the picture.

What can you do? 

If you believe your acne may be impacted by secondary triggers like these, be sure to check out the acne trigger and acne topic pages inside Clear Skin Connection. Each is packed with proven, research-backed resources so you can take the best path forward to heal your skin.

Meanwhile, here’s the lowdown on the three secondary triggers that may be impacting your skin.

HORMONES

As a female, you’ll most likely experience hormonal acne around the mouth, chin and along the jawline.

And the week prior to your period is when the most hormonal acne flares up. Finding your body’s healthy balance of estrogen, progesterone and androgen is one of the critical keys to eliminating acne. I prefer using a tailored regimen of herbs as opposed to birth control pills. Using herbal supplements allows your body to naturally rebalance itself without harmful side effects.

GUT IMBALANCE

Breakouts related to gut imbalance occur on the cheeks and side of face by the ears.

Bloating, gassiness, skipping bowel movements, stomach aches, cramping and leaky gut are all signs of gut imbalance. The most common gut issue is constipation. You should be having two bowel movements a day. Yes, two! If not, you can naturally rebalance your gut microbiome with therapeutic-grade Probiotics (such as our Clove Hill Clear Skin Probiotic-10), Oil of Oregano and Fish Oil.

DIET

Bet you’ve heard this again and again―chocolate and French fries trigger acne. Nope!

Research has proven that’s a myth. Instead, many common “good-for-you” foods trigger your breakouts because they contain iodine or androgens. Breakouts occur 24 to 48 hours after eating acne-triggering food including cow’s milk, peanut butter, sea plants and shrimp. Once you identify and stop eating foods triggering your acne, your skin can begin to recover from this trigger. Try substituting in new favorites like almond milk, cashew butter and freshwater fish to continue enjoying satisfying meals.

5. Time for relief

You can naturally relieve stress with proven selfcare methods.

Here are some of my favorite ways to reduce stress and help alleviate acne. Try them. You’ll do your body and skin a world of good:

Breeeeeathe. Controlled breathing, deep breathing, mindful breathing all help to lower pimple-producing stress hormones like cortisol. Spend time each day, and as soon as you feel stress start to escalate, by focusing on your breath. It can be as simple as taking a deep breath in for 5 seconds, holding it for 5 seconds, breathing out for 5 seconds. Repeat until you feel calm.

Laughter. It’s truly the best medicine! A good laugh can stimulate your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles, and increase endorphins released in your brain. Plus, it can soothe tension. Sounds like a fun way to help ward off stress-related acne!

Exercise. Exercise pumps up your feel-good neurotransmitters, endorphins, which raise your optimism, energy and mood. Exercise, in almost any form, can also improve your sleep, lower the symptoms of anxiety and mild depression, and give you a sense of control over life.

Adrenal Support. Whenever you experience stress, nervous tension, anxiety and hyperactivity, your adrenal glands get drained. But the right supplement for acne-prone skin (such as Clove Hill Adrenal Stress Formula) can provide the missing nutrients you need to strengthen, support and rebuild your adrenal glands. That way, when you’re experiencing high anxiety or conflict, facing deadlines, emergencies or trauma, you can repair your overworked and burnt-out adrenal glands.

A few last thoughts…

Thank you for joining me in this guide!

You’ve learned a lot about your primary acne trigger―Stress.

From common characteristics and telltale signs, additional instigators and likely landmines, to quick ways you can start getting relief, you’re equipped to begin taking back control.

One of the most important things I want you to keep in mind is this―acne is an important way your body tells you “something is off”.

The link between acne and stress definitely falls into this category. And, unfortunately, the longer you ignore the signs of stress, the more unease you’ll experience―and the more breakouts you’ll have.

I know you’ll want to take action and do the right thing!

And now that you have this guide―and all of Clear Skin Central―at your fingertips, you’re better prepared than ever to make the right choices to heal your skin.

Congrats and best wishes!

Jessi Gremley
Creator of Clear Skin Central