• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Style

Breaking out? Here's how to take care of your stressed skin at home

0:55
Guac out your coronavirus lockdown self-care routine with this avocado cocoa face mask
Dirk Lindner/Getty Images
ByJacqueline Laurean Yates
April 14, 2020, 8:07 AM

If you have been wondering how to give your skin some extra TLC while safely social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak, you're not alone.

This month, the search for "skin at home" has tremendously spiked reaching peak popularity on Google. Interest surrounding the topic has also more than doubled since February, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The privilege of physically consulting with a dermatologist or trying treatments at a spa is obsolete due to government shutdowns on non-essential businesses. This has left many people searching for answers on how to care for themselves while at home.

Related Articles

(MORE: I cut my partner's hair at home and here's what happened)

"During times of stress, our body responds by producing more cortisol," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman tells "GMA." "This hormone overstimulates our sebaceous oil glands, meaning we produce more sebum. This sebum can build up in our pores, trap more bacteria and lead to breakouts."

Editor’s Picks

Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin demonstrates how to cut your own hair at home

  • Jan 18, 2021

Social media is obsessed with this hairstyling trick for heat-free curls

  • Apr 08, 2020

Here's what happened when I cut my husband's hair at home

  • Apr 13, 2020

While most people experience acne flares at some point during their lifetime, a global crisis such as the one we are experiencing now can make matters worse.

Could stress be showing up on your skin?

A 2017 clinical study focusing on the association between stress and acne found that participants with higher stress based on their Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) results, had higher acne severity when examined and graded using the global acne grading system.

With stress being the possible culprit of an impromptu acne breakout, experts have suggested practices such as meditation to help regulate the amount of stress you are experiencing.

Related Articles

(MORE: Try this self-care challenge: Meditate every day in March)

"Meditation has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to have the ability to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, lower the stress hormone cortisol and increase areas of brain connectivity, according to ABC News chief medical correspondent and a board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

Avoid anti-inflammatory foods

When caring for your skin at-home it's also important to pay attention to your diet as certain foods could be aggravating your skin.

"Consider foods that are naturally anti-inflammatory like salmon and avocado to help reduce the effects of stress on the skin," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry told "GMA." "Stay away from foods like dairy which may contribute to inflammation."

Engelman also advises foods with high glycemic index spike our blood sugar and trigger our hormones. "Like stress, this increase in hormones causes inflammation in our skin, clogs pores, and ultimately leads to more breakouts," she said.

Experts agree and suggest that healthy fats, antioxidant-rich foods, probiotics such as nuts, seeds, and yogurt can assist in keeping your skin free of breakouts.

Stop picking!

While watching Dr. Pimple Popper videos is oddly satisfying for some, it's a habit that dermatologists highly suggest should be avoided.

Engleman advises that it can take anywhere from 1-7 days to heal the skin of a popped pimple. "Popping pimples can actually spread the bacteria, push it deeper into the skin and make the pimple worse and take longer to heal," she says. Instead, she recommends trying a spot treatment with powerful acne clearing ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Try: Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief which contains acne fighting prescription-grade, micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide or an over-the-counter option such as Differin gel that's infused with adapalene -- a topical retinoid used to treat mild acne.

Stick to a consistent skincare routine

"It is imperative to wash your face nightly regardless of makeup use or whether you have gone out," licensed esthetician and founder of Just Ageless Beauty + Body Lab Jeannel Astarita told "GMA."

Astarita suggests using a gentle chemical exfoliant such as Glo Skin Beauty’s Pro 5 to gently slough off dead skin that clogs pores and speed up the production of new skin cells. "Regular use of a retinoid that doesn't create excess irritation, and a daily hydrating moisturizer are essential as well," she says.

Don't forget about SPF!

Another important element is to continually incorporate SPF into your skincare routine. "If your home has windows, you are still exposed to UVA and Blue light from devices," said Henry. She recommends applying a sunscreen with broad-spectrum daily.

Related Articles

(MORE: 7 skincare enthusiasts reveal their go-to sunscreen picks for women of color)

Telemedicine & virtual consultations

Many dermatologists have telemedicine services available in which you can consult and possibly get a diagnosis over the phone or online.

There also skin-focused companies that have been offering a variety of virtual skin consultations. German aesthetics doctor, Dr. Barbara Sturm, started a "Skin School" series on Zoom and YouTube Live which features digital at-home classes on skin health and how to take care of your skin. Class registration is available via Eventbrite.

There are also a variety of other skin experts offering online one-on-one consultations where you can ask direct questions and get customized recommendations.

Editor’s Picks

Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin demonstrates how to cut your own hair at home

  • Jan 18, 2021

Social media is obsessed with this hairstyling trick for heat-free curls

  • Apr 08, 2020

Here's what happened when I cut my husband's hair at home

  • Apr 13, 2020

Up Next in Style—

Stylish sunglasses for every budget: Popular styles from Quay, Reformation, Ray-Ban and more

May 16, 2025

Capris are back: How to style and where to shop the trend

May 12, 2025

Nicole Kidman, Kelsea Ballerini and more looks from the 2025 ACM Awards

May 9, 2025

Paris Hilton calls her new skin care serum the 'Benjamin Button effect' in a bottle

May 8, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News