How Acne Impacts Mental Health

Anyone who has struggled with acne knows that the issue goes far beyond aesthetics. There’s the social stigma, embarrassment, and insecurity, too. In fact, the mark that acne leaves can be long-lasting; not just in terms of physical scars, but in psychological wounds. This, of course, should come as no surprise. According to studies carried out by the Ricart Medical Institute (IMR) in Spain, 60% of people are concerned about the possible physical or psychological consequences that having acne can bring. “Acne can be stigmatizing and place a great emotional burden on people,” Dr. Marta González, a dermatologist at IMR Madrid explains. “Even if you haven’t experienced it firsthand, you probably know someone for whom having acne has caused constant frustration and low self-esteem.”

An emotional burden

There are many ways that acne affects our psychological well-being. Dealing with chronic acne can put you on an emotional rollercoaster, one that’s driven by whether you have more or fewer pimples that day. And, according to the IMR study, mental health is rated worse among patients who have acne. “Many different studies have seen an association between acne and self-esteem; an increase in acne can lead to a decrease in self-confidence,” confirms González. “This can generate insecurities, affect social relationships, and generate anxiety and a low mood.” This dip in self-confidence can be especially extreme for those whose self-image is already fragile or for those who equate their self-worth with looking good and what other people think. “It really depends on your personality traits and the importance you give to physical appearance,” says Laura Palomares, a psychologist at Avance Psicólogos. “It’s about the self-concept you have from the start. The people most susceptible to being negatively affected by acne usually already had low self-esteem.” Confidence issues can also be a self-perpetuating cycle. And, it can get serious: changes in facial appearance resulting from acne can lead to an excessive concern about appearance, which can in turn lead to body dysmorphic disorder. “Body dysmorphia is a subjective perception about one’s own body, or some part of it, in a disproportionately negative way,” explains Palomares. “A person with dysmorphophobic acne will focus excessively on the appearance of their skin and their acne, negatively affecting their mental health.”

The misinformation age

Having a distorted image of oneself and an obsession with wanting the acne to improve can lead to ruminative thoughts on the state of the skin. This can lead to “behaviors related to excessive rituals or manias to hide or change it,” says Palomares. This is dangerous because, in desperate situations, we often look for quick solutions—usually whatever the latest trend on the internet or TikTok says to do. “Many people think that skin diseases are a simple aesthetic issue that do not need to be treated by a specialist. Social networks are full of non-experts who disseminate and give advice on the subject,” warns González. “It would be unthinkable for someone with a heart problem to turn to social networks to treat their illness; however, in dermatology this happens everyday. With just a quick look at our phone, we can access an excess of information—most of which is not backed by science or medical expertise. This kind of instant advice “leads many people to impulsively try products,” says Palomares, who notes that uninformed recommendations can worsen acne symptoms or aggravate personal discomfort. “The misinformation and the focus that social media places on physical appearance can generate more insecurities and complexes and further distort self-perception,” says Palomares. With that in mind, it’s important to instead seek out the advice of medical professional—especially if you want a truly effective (and long-lasting) remedy against acne. Remember to stick to tried-and-true methods: avoid dense creams, opt for lightweight textures, and choose oil-free, non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) products.

Normalizing acne

Expert recommendations and safe guidelines aside, it’s also important to find role models that put aside the established canons about what a “perfect” appearance should be. Luckily, more and more celebrities have been expressing their respective realities. Kendall Jenner has spoken on numerous occasions about her experience with acne; Selena Gomez has posted non-makeup selfies taken in the middle of flare-ups of acne. “The fact that people whom we admire and trust are sharing their experience helps to normalize and not personalize acne,” says Palomares. “It is important to remember that all skin types have texture and irregularities.” Another key along the way is to work on self-confidence. “Prioritizing our physical and mental health above physical appearance is an important factor in changing our attitudes,” says Palomares. However, we must not trivialize acne either. “We must give it the importance that the patient gives it and not ‘wait for it to go away on its own,’” González explains. When it comes to embracing our blemishes—and protecting our mental health—finding the balance is key.