There’s More to Acne than Skincare: A Master Herbalist’s Perspective on Acne and Inner Calm

Let’s be honest—stress can feel like it’s written all over your face. As women, we often carry invisible burdens: managing careers, caring for families, navigating hormonal shifts, and holding space for others. But sometimes, our bodies speak back in very visible ways—like acne flare-ups that seem to appear out of nowhere.

What if your skin wasn’t just breaking out… but burning out?

The Stress-Acne Connection: What’s Really Going On?

When you experience stress, your body ramps up production of cortisol, your primary stress hormone. Cortisol is incredibly useful in short bursts—helping you react in a crisis. But when it stays elevated, it sends ripple effects throughout the body.

One of those ripple effects? It can aggravate oil production, disrupt hormonal balance, and trigger inflammatory responses that contribute to acne.

In women especially, stress doesn’t act alone. It often shows up alongside:

• Hormonal fluctuations
• Changes in sleep
• Digestive imbalance
• Emotional overwhelm

Together, these factors can create the perfect storm for acne—especially inflammatory breakouts along the chin and jawline.

New Research: Addressing the Stress Behind Acne

A growing field called psychodermatology explores how psychological stress impacts the skin. In a recent clinical trial known as the CERTAIN Study (Kerure, 2022), researchers examined the role of a milk-derived bioactive peptide called Lactium® in individuals with acne vulgaris.

Here’s what happened when participants with acne added 150 mg of Lactium to their usual skincare regimen for 12 weeks:

• 18% reduction in cortisol levels (Compared to standard care alone, which showed only a 0.88% reduction in cortisol)
• 75.74% reduction in total acne lesions
• 92.5% reduction in inflammatory acne

These findings support what many of use in holistic health have long known - reducing stress from the inside out can significantly impact the health of your skin.

Meet Peaceful Mama: Stress Support for Women Who Do It All

That’s why I formulated Peaceful Mama—to offer comprehensive emotional and physical support to women navigating the relentless demands of daily life. Whether you’re juggling parenthood, work, or just trying to hold everything together, Peaceful Mama was designed with you in mind.

This formula combines Lactium®, shown to help support a healthy cortisol response, with calming herbs like Lemon Balm and Ginger, and essential vitamins like Vitamin B6 and B12—all to help you feel more grounded, centered, and resilient.

While individual results can vary, many women share that Peaceful Mama helps:

• Promote a calm response to stress*
• Support restful sleep*
• Encourage a balanced mood*

And when your body feels more at ease, your skin often follows.

From My Apothecary to Your Daily Routine

As a Master Herbalist, I believe in creating formulas that honor the complexity of the human body—especially a woman’s body. Peaceful Mama isn’t a quick fix. It’s a tool in your wellness toolbox—one that works with your body, not against it.

So if stress is showing up on your skin, know this: you are not alone. There are natural, evidence-informed solutions that support both your nervous system and your complexion.

Let Peaceful Mama be a gentle reminder that taking care of your emotional health isn’t just self-care—it’s skin care, too.

Resources

Kerure, A. S., Udare, S., & Vispute, C. (2022). Role of Lactium™️ in Psychodermatology: The CERTAIN Trial# on Patients with Acne Vulgaris. Dermatology research and practice, 2022, 2916317. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2916317