Holiday Stress and Acne

The holiday season is here, a time of shopping, parties, travel, and family gatherings. While fun, these activities can also bring unwanted stress from disrupted schedules, lack of sleep, and overeating. This holiday stress can provoke acne flares for our patients in Florida, especially those already prone to facial breakouts.

Psychological stress triggers signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain to the adrenal glands adjacent to the kidneys. This hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis results in the release of stress hormones, including cortisol and androgens, which have downstream effects on the skin and microbiome. Cortisol increases oil production from sebaceous glands and enhances bacterial growth, which promotes inflammation. Cortisol can also suppress local immune cells, Langerhans cells, in the skin, which weakens their ability to control bacterial growth. In a similar fashion, androgens, especially testosterone, are well-known drivers of acne in both men and women due to increased sebaceous gland activity, follicular keratinization or plugging and overgrowth of acne-related bacteria.

In addition to the stress of the season, other factors contribute to acne flares. Diet is increasingly associated with breakouts. Holiday treats such as cookies and candy are high glycemic index foods that spike blood glucose levels, triggering inflammation and acne (see the December 2025 edition of this newsletter). Alcohol acts as a diuretic, leading to dehydration, which in turn stimulates oil production and follicular plugging. Alcohol has also been linked to immune suppression, which allows bacterial overgrowth in the skin and inflammatory breakouts such as cysts. Likewise, lack of sleep promotes hormonal imbalance, disrupts overnight skin repair and furthers inflammatory acne.

Changes in facial routines can also impact acne. Holiday parties mean more festive makeup application, which can both plug pores and irritate skin. Travel to colder, lower-humidity northern winter climates promotes dry skin that may not tolerate customary facial products, creating irritant acne.

Tips for a blemish-free holiday season:

• Use non-comedogenic products including makeup, cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens.
• Limit sweets and alcohol if possible.
• Remember to moisturize more frequently, especially if travelling north.
• Try an OTC acne cleanser with salicylic acid, if tolerated, to prevent blackheads.
• Consider OTC acne products that contain adapalene or low-concentration benzoyl peroxide, but be prepared for potential dryness.

If the holidays are causing your acne to flare and OTC products aren’t helping, consult your dermatologist, who can prescribe a regimen that works for you.

Get more tips on preventing flare-ups of acne from Florida’s Skin Wellness Physicians. Call us at (239) 732-0044 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.