Being stressed out is a part of life. It affects everybody, from babies to the elderly; in small to big amounts and it could range from work issues, family problems, financial woes to the digital pressures of social media.
Research has shown that tiny amounts of stress are not a problem. It is said that these small stressors can greatly improve alertness and cognitive performance. Problems arise though, when humans begin feeling stressed over a long period of time. This protracted stress is known as chronic stress and this stress causes the body to produce cortisol which wrecks havoc on the skin when there’s a lot of it.
While it is nearly impossible to completely erase stress from our day-to-day lives, dermatologists have recommended solutions to help combat the negative effects it has on your body.
In this article, I’ll be sharing some top skincare tips to aid with managing stress so that you can rock clear and healthy-looking skin with confidence.
Dryness:
Cortisol, which manifests during periods of chronic stress damages the skin’s ability to hold on to water, thus leading to dryness and sometimes, itching. This loss of moisture in the skin also reduces luminosity.
This is not always the case for some people though. In certain cases, theres an excess production of oil in the skin, leading to severe oiliness in periods of stress. It all depends on how stress impairs an individuals skin barrier function.
To Manage Stress-Induced Skin Dryness:
The best way to manage this type of dryness is to utilise moisturisers containing essential oils in your skincare routine. Alternatively, washing the face with lukewarm water helps as hot temperatures strip the skin of it’s oils. Also, smearing on face cream while the skin is slightly damp helps to trap moisture.
Acne:
Stress leads to skin inflammation which in turn leads to breakouts. The more stressed out a person is, the worse their acne will be.
To Manage Stress-Induced Acne:
If your skin typically breaks out whenever you’re feeling stressed, then try to reduce the amount of excess oil that is building up on your face. A good cleanser and exfoliant in your skincare routine can help with the buildup of excess oil on your face. Alternatively, use a lotion containing skin sloughing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, with a noncomedogenic moisturizer so skin doesn’t get too dry.
Fine Lines/Wrinkles:
Cortisol prompts the body’s blood sugar to get elevated, via a process known as glycation. This damages collagen and elastin, the protein fibers responsible for plumping the skin and keeping it smooth. Additionally, constant muscle tension also leads to permanent wrinkling.
When a person is consistently stressed, they’re much more likely to make particular facial expressions, like frowning or furrowing the brow. Although the lines caused by these expressions may fade away quickly when you’re young, it won’t take long before they end up permanently etched in your skin, especially since the stress is also damages the skin’s protein fibers at the same time.
To Manage Stress-Induced Wrinkles:
OTC creams made with retinol and antioxidants help encourage collagen production for a firmer skin.
Tired Eyes:
Anxiety can lead to sleepless nights, which in turn leads to puffiness under the eyes.
To Manage Stress-Induced Eye Bags (Tired Eyes):
Using cucumber slices as mini ice packs for the eyes help to constrict the blood and lymph vessels that bring fluid to the area. Additionally, it is advised to sleep with your head moderately elevated to prevent fluid from pooling. Alternatively, applying eye serums and a layer of eye cream on top of it is recommended for de-puffing the look of the eye area.
