STRESS & SKIN - Nurturing our skin in times of stress.

In our modern way of life, stress seems to be inevitable. Whether it’s tight deadlines, juggling family and work commitments, or navigating transitional life phases, stressful situations are bound to arise and trigger acute or chronic responses in our body. 

What’s actually happening within is that each time stress activates our flight-flight-freeze response, our brain releases a rush of adrenaline and cortisol hormones throughout the body that has a range of effects, such as increased heart rate, spiked immune system reaction and intense feelings of overwhelm or agitation. And while that may serve a useful purpose every now and then, the challenge is when this chemical response is happening too often. 

This is especially evident on our skin, which when under chronic stress, sees an increase in inflammation, slowed rate of wound healing and triggered flare-ups in skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Our sebaceous glands are also induced to produce more oil when stressed, explaining why people often report an increase in acne outbreaks. 

Stress can also accelerate skin ageing. The hormones triggered in our stress response erode skin’s collagen and elastin, and can interfere with cell turnover (especially when sleep is also impacted), leading to more fine lines and dulled complexions. 

This is all not intended to stress you out further, so let’s get onto how we can support our skin in times of stress:

1. Sleep - while sleep deprivation is not uncommon when stressed, adequate rest of 7-9 hours per night is vital for cell regeneration and a solid bodily reset 

2. Maintain self-care - when stressed, it’s easy for our healthy habits like exercise, eating nutritious food, or washing our faces regularly, to go out the window. But often, these are exactly the things we need in times of stress: a short walk outside, a homemade meal, or a face mask with some aromatherapy candles and calming music on

3. Speak out - it’s ok to say ‘no’ and set your own boundaries, but also know when to seek support, whether it be from a loved one or a professional

4. Mind-body practices - engaging in practices that teach our mind and body how to better respond to stress can be incredibly helpful for our skin. Examples of such practices include meditation, yoga, breathwork, acupuncture or simply taking the time to do self-care, such as a mini-facial at home.The relaxation will lower your stress level and consequently your skin will thank you.

Hope this helps and serves as a little reminder as we soon start a new busy season. 

With love,

Milene