A recent study discussed in Time Magazine found that out of a list of factors examined, depression showed the strongest relationship with acne.

The study was carried out in Oslo, Norway, where over 3,500 18-19 year olds were surveyed. The study found that 19 per cent of the teens who reported mental distress had acne, while only 12 per cent of the teens who showed no signs of mental distress had acne. It also found a linear relationship between mood and acne, finding that increased mental-illness symptoms were associated with increased acne.

The study described that ‘depressive eating’ was not be the cause of the acne, although they highlighted that eating vegetables tends to reduce acne. The study also found no significant link between the consumption of alcohol or cigarettes and acne.

From Time Magazine.

Writer Tristan Boyd, Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.