When we get overwhelmed by physical or emotional stress it shows in our skin.
Do you feel like your skin has been looking a bit worse for wear lately? You may have tried everything from facials, drinking more water to eating better foods – but nothing is helping! It’s possible that your skin issues are caused by stress. For some people stress causes a greyish complexion and dry, flaky skin, while others experience unwelcome break-outs or flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. As if that wasn’t enough, stress can also be the cause of those new wrinkles you found this morning! Here we are sharing some top tips to combat skin issues caused by stress
Why Does Stress Cause Skin Issues?
Your skin can act up during stressful times for several reasons, but one of the main culprits is the stress hormone cortisol. When you feel stressed, your body thinks it is under attack, so it produces cortisol and inflammatory messengers. In the short term, this response is nothing to worry about. However, long-term stress can increase activity in the sebaceous glands, which means your skin may produce more oil. This extra oil can clog your pores and lead to breakouts, often right before that big presentation you have been worrying about!
Long-term stress can also make it harder for your skin to repair itself naturally. Your skin may produce less healthy collagen and elastin, which can contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Stressing about an exam, interview, or important event can also weaken your skin barrier function. As a result, your skin may become more vulnerable to everyday aggressors such as pollution, harsh weather, and strong chemicals.
What You Can Do
You can take simple steps to combat skin issues linked to stress. First, try to identify the root cause of your stress. For example, you might have too much going on at work, or you may be dealing with an unresolved issue with a friend. Situations like these can keep your body feeling tense and wound up, even when you do not realise they are affecting you.
Stress can sometimes feel like an unavoidable part of life, but you can build practices into your routine that help you cope and lower your stress levels. You could start with yoga or meditation to calm your breathing, relax your body, and support your overall wellbeing. Meditation can also help you manage stress more effectively over time.
Another good way to reduce stress is to make a little time for self-care in your busy schedule. You may just have fifteen minutes, but you can make the most of them! Give yourself the spa treatment – light some candles, apply a soothing face mask and slide into a warm bath to help you and your skin to feel and look good again! Some more ideas here.
