A LARGE population-based study from southern China suggests that everyday lifestyle habits, including how long people sit, when they sleep and how often they exercise, are linked to adult acne, with mental health playing a significant mediating role.
Large Population Study Examines Lifestyle Drivers of Adult Acne
The researchers analysed data from 11,922 adults living across 10 districts in Shenzhen. The cross-sectional study set out to clarify how modifiable behaviours and psychological distress contribute to acne risk and severity, areas where comprehensive evidence has previously been limited.
Participants completed detailed, investigator-administered questionnaires covering sedentary behaviour, physical activity and sleep patterns. Dermatologists diagnosed acne and assessed its severity, allowing researchers to examine not only whether acne was present but also how severe it was. Statistical analyses included logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines to explore dose–response relationships, alongside mediation analyses to assess the role of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
The study found that acne affected 14.79% of participants overall, with a higher prevalence in women than men (15.91% versus 13.50%). Several lifestyle factors were independently associated with acne. People who reported high levels of sedentary behaviour had a significantly increased risk, as did those who habitually went to sleep late. In contrast, regular physical exercise appeared protective.
Notably, the dose–response analysis showed that acne risk rose sharply when total sedentary time exceeded four hours per day, suggesting a potential threshold beyond which prolonged sitting becomes particularly harmful. The authors say this finding strengthens the case for sedentary behaviour as a modifiable risk factor rather than a simple correlate.
Mental health emerged as an important link between lifestyle and skin health. Symptoms of depression and anxiety partially mediated the associations between both sedentary behaviour and acne, and late sleep and acne. This indicates that psychological distress may help explain why certain lifestyle patterns contribute to inflammatory skin disease, though it does not account for the entire effect.
Why the Findings Matter for Clinical Practice
While the authors caution that the cross-sectional design prevents conclusions about causality, they argue that the large sample size, dermatologist-confirmed diagnoses and comprehensive behavioural data add weight to the findings.
Overall, the study highlights sedentary lifestyles and circadian disruption as potential contributors to adult acne, while reinforcing the benefits of regular exercise. The authors conclude that effective acne management may require integrated approaches that address not only physical habits but also mental wellbeing, reflecting acne’s complex biopsychosocial nature.
Reference
He J et al. Association of lifestyles and mental health with adult acne: A population-based cross-sectional study. JEADV. 2026;doi: 10.1111/jdv.70345.
