The majority of students being studied suffered an increase in breakouts around the time of exams. This could be brought on by poor college-student diet, stress, or most likely, a combination of both. However, there are two main reasons to support why stress induces acne:

- Stress reduces the body’s ability to fight off infections and heal injuries by about 40%. Meaning, that when problems do occur, the body doesn’t have the ability to fight the surge of acne, much less treat it.

- Stress also stimulates the adrenal glands, releasing testosterone, which in turn activate the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands, known for secreting sebaceous oils, aggravate the skin and cause breakouts.

The new developments in the debate over acne and stress is now becoming less of a debate and more of a philosophy. There is are many studies and cold hard facts to prove that their is a connection between stress and acne, without a doubt. Understanding this, however, is great in that it brings dermatologist’s closer to finding treatments.