Stress affects us in many different ways, physically and emotionally — and our skin is no different in this regard.
Who doesn’t get stressed these days? In a culture where sleep deprivation and stress are perceived as an indication of how successful we are, it has become somewhat a norm to push our bodies to limits that can’t be sustained for long.
The price we pay for living in chronic stress is high, and it’ll manifest itself sooner than later — from sleep deprivation and weight gain to high blood pressure or heart disease. And now, you can also add skin problems to the long list of the negative effects of stress.
What Happens To Your Skin When You're Stressed?
Chronic stress compromises our body’s natural healing process, including the rest and recovery mode our skin goes into while we’re in deep sleep. The main culprit? Cortisol, the stress hormone responsible for the “flight or fight” response in challenging situations.
Our skin barrier acts as a protective layer to keep the bad guys (allergens or pollutants) out and keep the moisture in. But when we’re stressed, that layer of protective oils disappears, leaving our skin exposed to environmental damage and significantly slowing down the healing process. From that point on, things only get worse.
Stress Causes Acne Breakouts
Remember that pesky hormone cortisol we mentioned above? Not only does it compromise your skin barrier, but it also stimulates an overproduction of sebum, making it easier for acne breakouts to show up on your face.
Stress Aggravates Existing Problems
Since there’s a direct connection between stress and our immune system, each stressful situation triggers an inflammatory response that can expose or aggravate your existing skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Stress Makes Us Lazy in Our Routines
When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to skip steps in your daily routine because you feel so overwhelmed and agitated. It’s easier to toss yourself into bed after a long, stressful day than to worry about removing your makeup and going through your skincare routine.
De-Stress Your Skin Today With These Simple Tips
While we all have different stress triggers, and different reactions to them. However, de-stressing starts with little things you can do for yourself daily to calm your mind and body, such as:
Invest In Quality “Me” Time
Although it’s often easier said than done, make sure you allocate some time every day to do something that makes you happy — whether that’s having a long soak in a bath, reading a book or having a pamper session with our Ultimate Self Care Kit. And remember: you can pour from an empty cup, so taking care of yourself should always be high up on your priority list!
Get Enough Sleep
It’s a vicious cycle — you’re not getting the recommended 7 or more hours of sleep (when cortisol levels naturally decrease), so you end up stressing even more during the day — and the cycle continues while your skin suffers. Try switching up your schedule to make sure your body gets enough to recharge and rejuvenate, and your skin will show it.
Exercise Daily
We’re over the moon with TikTok’s latest #stupidwalkchallenge because it’s true! Doing any form of exercise regularly creates a healthy outlet for negative emotions, and creates room for a fresh perspective. But, it’s important you find an activity you actually enjoy doing, because forcing yourself to go to the gym every day, when you really hate that place, is the exact opposite of stress relief.
When You’re Stress Out, Your Skin Will Show It
If you're concerned about the way stress is affecting your skin, it's time you took a closer look at what's going on with your body every day. Try incorporating a few of these methods into your everyday routine, and let us know if your skin begins to show any signs of improvement. And, don’t be afraid to try different things to see what works for you best!
