Why Finals Week Stress Can Wreak Havoc on Teen Skin

A week full of stressful finals is staring you in the face. And then suddenly… that face has a breakout! Stress intensifies. What’s happening and why? And what can you do about it?

The Stress Test

Skin health comes from a lot more than just washing and moisturizing. Your daily habits, how you sleep, what you eat, and even your emotions affect your skin. Especially during your teen years, when hormones are all over the place, small differences in your habits can make a huge—and inconvenient—difference. It’s kind of the worst, but extra stress can trigger breakouts, which, of course, just adds more stress. Finals are tough, and often acne will make an appearance before your final grade is out. But who wants to deal with breakouts, redness, and oiliness right before summer?

What Stress Does

So, you’ve got the annoying finals week pimples. Now, you want to know why they’re there. Our bodies release a hormone called cortisol, the stress hormone. When you feel more stressed, your body creates more cortisol than normal. Unfortunately, cortisol produces extra oil and irritates your skin, causing inflammation and clogged pores that turn into acne. If you are already dealing with acne, cortisol only exacerbates the problem.

Staying up late to study and insomnia from ruminating over tests also make the problem worse. Teens are supposed to get an average of 8–10 hours of sleep each night, but that feels impossible during finals week. You’re going to want to make it a priority, though! Not only will it help your mind stay sharper, but it will also reduce the amount of cortisol your body is producing. Lack of sleep raises cortisol levels, which usually coincides with a time when cortisol levels are already elevated from stress.

De-stress Time

Thankfully, you have some options for reducing the stress and cortisol levels in your body, ultimately helping your skin stay clearer. Make sure that you are eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated. Yes, drinking enough water can really help your skin! While these things might not stop you from worrying about all those tests, they will help you stay on top of your health and reduce the strain.

When it comes to your skin, you want to keep things as steady as possible. It’s definitely tempting to start throwing on a ton of new products for your pesky pimples, but while your body is experiencing extra stress, you’ll want to stick to your tried-and-true routine. Keep your skin clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun. We know you want to get rid of your acne quickly, but picking at it can actually make acne worse and cause scarring. Throwing on pimple patches and products with tons of active ingredients can irritate your skin and cause redness and inflammation. Don’t add extra stress to your skin!

Bye Bye, Stress

Supporting your skin during times of extra stress is important, but thankfully, good habits and great skincare can go a long way. This won’t completely stop acne, but remember: good skin isn’t about perfection. Now, put on your sunscreen and go dominate those finals!