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Sleep Disturbances and Acne: A Comprehensive Review
Michelle Samaniego1, Montserrat Alonso2, Nehaa Sohail1
1Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual
|November 14, 2025
Summary
Poor sleep quality worsens acne by disrupting hormones and increasing inflammation. Addressing sleep issues may improve skin health, highlighting a bidirectional link between acne and sleep.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychoneuroimmunology
Background:
- Acne vulgaris is a prevalent inflammatory skin condition influenced by hormonal fluctuations, stress, and age.
- Sleep quality is increasingly recognized as a significant factor impacting dermatological health, with poor sleep exacerbating acne symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize the existing literature on the intricate relationship between acne and sleep quality.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, assess the extent, and discuss the clinical implications of the acne-sleep connection.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive systematic review was performed, analyzing 18 relevant studies.
- Literature search was conducted using PubMed with predefined search terms to identify pertinent research on acne and sleep.
Main Results:
- A significant bidirectional association was identified between acne severity and poor sleep quality, including insomnia and heightened stress levels.
- Sleep deprivation was found to exacerbate acne through mechanisms involving hormonal dysregulation, increased systemic inflammation, and impaired immune responses.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between acne and sleep is complex and bidirectional, necessitating further investigation.
- Interventions targeting sleep improvement, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), may offer a novel therapeutic avenue for managing acne and enhancing sleep outcomes.
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