Association between acne and anxiety in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of observational studies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i12.50357

Keywords:

Acne, Anxiety, Adolescents , Young adults, Dermatology.

Abstract

Acne is a prevalent dermatological condition among adolescents and young adults, with a multifactorial etiology and high prevalence. Beyond its physical impacts, recent studies have demonstrated a strong association between acne and emotional manifestations, especially anxiety symptoms, which can impair self-esteem, quality of life, and social relationships. This study conducted a systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines, aiming to analyze the association between acne and anxiety in adolescents and young adults. The findings showed that individuals with acne are at higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms compared to control groups. Psychosocial factors, such as social stigma and body image perception, were identified as relevant contributors to the intensity of psychological distress. It is concluded that acne management should include not only dermatological interventions but also psychological support, ensuring a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.

References

Acer, E., Altınoz, A. E., Erdogan, H. K., Agaoglu, E., Yuksel Canakcı, N., & Saracoglu, Z. N. (2019). Anxiety Sensitivity and Quality of Life in Patients with Acne. Annals of Dermatology, 31(4), 372. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2019.31.4.372.

Botros, P. A., Tsai, G., & Pujalte, G. G. A. (2015). Evaluation and Management of Acne. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 42(4), 465–471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2015.07.007.

Eichenfield, D. Z., Sprague, J., & Eichenfield, L. F. (2021). Management of Acne Vulgaris: A Review. JAMA, 326(20), 2055–2067. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.17633.

Friedlander, S. F., Eichenfield, L. F., Fowler, J. F., Fried, R. G., Levy, M. L., & Webster, G. F. (2010). Acne Epidemiology and Pathophysiology. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 29(2), 2–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sder.2010.04.002.

Habeshian, K. A., & Cohen, B. A. (2020). Current Issues in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. Pediatrics, 145(Supplement 2), S225–S230. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-2056l.

Hull, P. R., & D’Arcy, C. (2005). Acne, Depression, and Suicide. Dermatologic Clinics, 23(4), 665–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2005.05.008.

Kostecka, M., Kostecka, J., Szwed-Gułaga, O., Jackowska, I., & Kostecka-Jarecka, J. (2022). The Impact of Common Acne on the Well-Being of Young People Aged 15-35 Years and the Influence of Nutrition Knowledge and Diet on Acne Development. Nutrients, 14(24), 5293. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245293.

Kutlu, Ö., Karadağ, A. S., & Wollina, U. (2022). Adult acne versus adolescent acne: a narrative review with a focus on epidemiology to treatment. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 98(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2022.01.006.

Li, Y., Hu, X., Dong, G., Wang, X., & Liu, T. (2024). Acne treatment: research progress and new perspectives. Frontiers in Medicine, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1425675.

Linares-Espinós, E., Hernández, V., Domínguez-Escrig, J. L., Fernández-Pello, S., Hevia, V., Mayor, J., Padilla-Fernández, B., & Ribal, M. J. (2018). Methodology of a systematic review. Actas Urologicas Espanolas, 42(8), 499–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acuro.2018.01.010.

Molla, A., Alrizqi, H., Alharbi, E., Alsubhi, A., Alrizqi, S., & Shahada, O. (2021). Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Acne Vulgaris in Medina: A Case-Control Study. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 14, 999–1007. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S302311.

Muzaffar, K. H., Halilu, H. B., Dantata, B. A., Saati, S. M., & Salah, L. A. (2024). Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Body Dysmorphic Disorders Among Dermatology Outpatients With Acne Vulgaris at a Public Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.64917.

Öncü, I., Gürel, G., & Akkoyun, A. (2022). The Relationship of Acne With Somatosensory Amplification, Health Anxiety, and Depression Levels. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32314.

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., & McGuinness, L. A. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. British Medical Journal, 372(71). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71.

Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., & McGuinness, L. A. (2021). PRISMA 2020 Explanation and elaboration: Updated Guidance and Exemplars for Reporting Systematic Reviews. British Medical Journal, 372(160). NCBI. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160.

Pereira, A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. [free ebook]. Santa Maria: Editora da UFSM.

Saitta, P., Keehan, P., Yousif, J., Way, B. V., Grekin, S., & Brancaccio, R. (2011). An update on the presence of psychiatric comorbidities in acne patients, Part 2: Depression, anxiety, and suicide. PubMed, 88(2), 92–97.

Saitta, P., Keehan, P., Yousif, J., Way, B. V., Grekin, S., & Brancaccio, R. (2011). An update on the presence of psychiatric comorbidities in acne patients, part 1: overview of prevalence. PubMed, 88(1), 33–40.

Samuels, D. V., Rosenthal, R., Lin, R., Chaudhari, S., & Natsuaki, M. N. (2020). Acne vulgaris and risk of depression and anxiety: A meta-analytic review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 83(2), 532–541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.02.040.

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, Elsevier. 104(C), 333-9. Doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039..

Suh, D. H., & Kwon, H. H. (2015). What’s new in the physiopathology of acne? British Journal of Dermatology, 172, 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.13634.

Tuchayi, S. M., Makrantonaki, E., Ganceviciene, R., Dessinioti, C., Feldman, S. R., & Zouboulis, C. C. (2015). Acne vulgaris. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 1(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2015.29.

Williams, H. C., Dellavalle, R. P., & Garner, S. (2012). Acne vulgaris. The Lancet, 379(9813), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(11)60321-8.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-17

Issue

Section

Health Sciences

How to Cite

Association between acne and anxiety in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of observational studies. Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 14, n. 12, p. e119141250357, 2025. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v14i12.50357. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/rsd/article/view/50357. Acesso em: 2 jan. 2026.