Dry, lack lustre and lifeless skin can be directly correlated to your stress levels.
Recognizing the signs of stressed skin can be difficult. We’re all familiar by now that what we eat has an affect on our skin- particularly on your face but not limited to. Whether you notice the positive benefits from drinking plenty of water or, the break out you get from consuming too much sugar or dairy products. But, have you ever considered what your mental state is doing to it? You know that glow you get when you’ve fallen in love or just generally happy? That’s an actual thing thanks to the dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins that are triggered from those warm, fuzzy feelings.
Unfortunately, like with our diet, if your experiencing the opposite feelings (stress I’m looking at you) it can show through your skin. Work or school deadlines, never-ending to-do lists, or just living in our World today (2020 has had an impact on everyone!) And while experiencing stress in small doses is totally normal (dare I say even healthy as it primes the brain for improved performance)- anything chronic is problematic on several levels.
So how does chronic stress affect our skin?
Stress triggers our inherent fight or flight response which triggers a plethora of things, one including our blood being directed to our vital organs responsible for either fighting or fleeing: heart, brain, lungs. Stress also means a rise in adrenaline and cortisol which don’t do well with healthy, dewy skin.
Less circulation leads to a lack of oxygen and other vital nutrients in the skin, which means the production of skin’s necessary building blocks — collagen, antioxidants, fresh skin cells — slows down. A hormonal imbalance means an out-of-whack endocrine system and a compromised immune system. Not a great time for skin!
How do I know if my skin is stressed?
If you’re experiencing stress emotional or mentally, you can be sure your skin is feeling it too. However, if you’re not sure just check what your skin is doing: is it doing unusual things? Is it behaving in an atypical way? Has there been a sudden change in moisture/oil/texture that can’t be explained by an environmental or product change? It’s probably a reaction to something that’s stressing you out.
Telltale signs of stressed skin + how to treat them
Blemishes: It’s no secret that stress often presents itself in the form of flare ups on our faces, and for that we have cortisol to thank. Also known as the stress hormone, cortisol can cause sebum and oil production to rev up, thereby igniting oily skin, acne, and other inflammation-based skin issues like eczema and rosacea. While you may want to take drastic measures, step away from the harsh toners and peels! Fight fire with fire here and cleanse with an oil cleanser (like attracts like and an oil will bind to the excess sebum), then gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells before they get trapped in, and finish with some serious hydration in the form of a sheet mask or moisturizer so your oil glands don’t go into overdrive.
Under-eye circles: Our sleep habits and patterns are certainly the first thing that gets thrown out of whack during stressful periods. It’s a vicious cycle: you lay awake at night thinking about what’s stressing you out and then you stress more about the fact that you’re not sleeping! Before you know it, your alarm is going off and dark circles welcome themselves on your face. (Thanks, cortisol!) To help with under-eye puffiness or shadows, look for an eye cream or serum formulated with the same stuff you’d reach for to perk you up: caffeine. Andalou Naturals, Luminous Eye Serum is packed with ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and sodium PCA all of which help you look more awake.
Dull skin: As previously mentioned, stress equals less blood to the skin, which means less frequent cell turnover, resulting in a buildup of dead, dull skin cells. To give those skin cells the nudge they need to get moving, you’ll need exfoliating ingredients like the AHAs and BHAs found in Drunk Elephants T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Acid Night Serum. Finish with an oily serum like Fresh’s Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil and you will be glowing in no time.
Most importantly be sure to schedule in some much needed you time. Take a bath, light some candles, meditate, take a walk, whatever it is that brings you stillness! Introducing a breathework practice can also be benficial to your overall wellbeing and inner zen, checkout our post on the benefits of a breathwork practice here.
*This is not intended to be treated as medical advice. If you’re experiencing chronic stress, please seek advice and help from a medical professional. If you or someone you love is experiencing a debilitating anxiety attack, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service (1.833.456.4566)
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