Q: They say that stress, diet, and cosmetics cause acne. Is it true?

In short: Stress can have an impact, diet is not proven, and cosmetics need to be chosen carefully.

Stress

It can worsen acne. When we are stressed, our body produces more androgens. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands and hair follicles in the skin. Sebaceous gland cells in people with acne-prone skin react more strongly to the hormone corticotropin (CRH), which is involved in the stress response. There is evidence that the regulation of this hormone CRH may be linked to stress-related acne. A cohort study conducted among high school students compared the severity of acne and sebum production during periods of high stress (exams) and low stress (summer holidays). The result showed that while stress did not affect sebum production, it did influence acne severity, especially in boys.

Diet

More likely no than yes. Proponents of the “your acne is caused by your diet” theory often refer to a large study (data from 47,000 women!) that found a link between acne and milk consumption. Women who drank more than two glasses of milk a day were more likely to see a doctor for acne problems. The researchers suggested that natural hormonal components of milk or other biologically active molecules in it could exacerbate acne.

However, the problem is that the study was retrospective. This means that no one measured the results – participants were simply asked to recall their diet, self-diagnose their acne, and determine its severity. Randomized studies have not evaluated the link between dairy products and acne. There is also no reliable evidence that chocolate consumption is associated with increased prevalence or severity of acne. There is little data on the beneficial effects of zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It is clear that if you notice a link between food and breakouts, it’s better to eliminate the product from your diet. But this may not be acne, but another reaction (individual intolerance to the product, such as lactose, for example).

Skincare Products

Oil-based products can trigger breakouts. Water-based products or those labeled “non-comedogenic” are generally safer for people with oily and acne-prone skin.

One more important point! I know that people with acne (as well as people with oily or combination skin) often wash their face with soap, scrub with brushes and rough sponges, use alcohol-based products or “mattifying” products to get rid of shine and oil in the pores. It’s better not to do this. This causes the pores to produce even more sebum, actually worsening the condition.