Study Links Acne to Depression

Zoë Weiner
Updated
But scientists are still trying to figure out why.

If you've ever felt like your acne significantly impacts your mood, this one's for you: According to a new study in the British Journal of Dermatology, there's a scientific link between acne and depression.

According to The New York Times, researchers in Britain followed a group of 134,427 men and women with acne and 1,731,608 without acne — for 15 years. The study found that the likelihood of subjects with acne experiencing depression was 18.5%, while for those without it was 12%. Furthermore, that likelihood was shown to be highest in the first year, when there was a 63% increased chance of depression in subjects with acne.

The reasoning behind this link still isn't totally clear (even the researchers were "surprised" by their findings), but it definitely does exist. "It appears that acne is a lot more than just skin deep," University of Calgary epidemiologist Isabelle A. Valerand, the lead author of the study, tells The New York Times. "It can have a substantial impact on overall mental health." Interestingly, the study only found the increased rate of depression to be present within the first five years of an acne diagnosis.

While these findings show a significant link between breakouts and mental health, it's worth noting that the study began long before the acne appreciation" movement gained traction, helping shift the attitude toward breakouts. In the last few years, celebrities have gotten real about their own skin issues by posting zit cream selfies to Instagram. Not to mention, Dr. Pimple Popper's strangely engrossing videos are everywhere, reminding us that whiteheads, comedones, and cystic acne are all a part of life. There's even another study that claims having acne will make your skin age more slowly. So, while acne impacting your mood may be backed by science, remember that getting a breakout is something almost everyone experiences — and that there are also plenty of reasons why it shouldn't ruin your day.

Related: Cats Can Get Acne Too and Now I Feel Less Alone

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