Stress and acne form a vicious cycle that can affect your self-esteem and quality of life, affecting everything from your daily routine to your self-confidence and social interactions. Stress can aggravate already-existing acne, and having acne can cause a person considerable stress. To stop the vicious cycle, here are some stress acne treatments that you can try so you can say goodbye to stress acne.

Over-the-Counter Acne Treatments

Stress acne treatments that you can buy over the counter are your first line of defense against skin inflammation and acne lesions. These treatments come in gels, liquid washes, scrubs, creams, masks, and other forms, across different brand names, which include:

• Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control, 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment, Oil Free Acne Wash, Triple Action Toner, Power Clean Scrub, and Power Gel Cleanser.

• Proactiv Plus Deluxe 3-Step System (renewing cleanser, revitalizing toner, repairing treatment) plus Daily Oil Control and Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15.

• Exposed Skincare Acne Treatment which include Acne Treatment Serum, Clear Pore Serum, Microderm Scrub, and Derm-X Cloth for gentle skin renewing exfoliation.

These products can be costly, but they are also proven safe and effective by dermatologists. Most people consider reading reviews helpful when they are looking for the best acne treatment products. When searching for an over-the-counter acne treatment, make sure to read reviews and user ratings from third party forums so that you can be assured that you’re getting the best value for your money.

Acne Treatment Products

These acne treatment products are prescription medications that are either oral (taken/ingested) or topical (spread on the skin).

• Antibiotics that kill and prevent bacteria from multiplying

• Retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) which remove blockages in the pores to allow other topical medicines such as antibiotic creams enter the follicles

• Benzoyl peroxide, sulfur-containing products, or azelaic acid which destroy P. acnes bacteria, reduce oil production, and reduce acne inflammation

• Salicylic and glycolic acids to clear acne scars

Hormonal Acne Treatments

Hormonal acne treatments are commonly used by women who experience adult stress-related acne. These include:

• Birth control pills

• Spironolactone pills and other anti-androgen drugs

• Prednisone or dexamethasone and other such low-dose corticosteroid drugs

Stress-related Acne Therapy

Stress not only causes acne, but our bodies also have weaker defense against all kinds of diseases when we are constantly stressed out. The following are some of the time-tested ways to combat stress:

• Relaxation

• Meditation

• Healthy eating

• Healthy lifestyle

If dealing with stress is becoming a daily battle, these are just some of the quick pick-me-ups that you can take advantage of to boost your mood and energy:

• Grab a power nap or sleep a complete 6-8 hours in order to completely rejuvenate your mind and body

• Keep hydrated and take your daily dose of multivitamins and Vitamin C to help your immune system

• Connect with other people – find the time to talk to friends and family and enjoy their company

With these numerous treatments and acne therapy at your disposal, you can stop acne at its tracks and prevent stress and acne from ruining your skin and your life.