The Effects of Stress on Skin

We all know that stress is a very common part of life for many people on our planet, but did you know that it can have a significant impact on the health of your skin? Unfortunately it can. When dealing with a bout of stress it can manifest in a variety of ways, from causing breakouts to creating reactive or inflamed skin to contributing to premature aging. 

When you experience stress your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can trigger inflammation in the skin. This inflammation can lead to a variety of skin issues, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Experiencing breakouts or acne is one of the most common skin conditions that is exacerbated by stress as the increase in cortisol levels can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum or natural oil, leading to clogged pores and a potential for breakouts.

Stress can also worsen many existing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, causing flare-ups and increased itching and redness. Research also shows that stress can disrupt the skin's natural barrier function making it more susceptible to essential moisture loss and environmental damage. Reducing this function and creating an imbalance is not a good place to be because the skin barrier is what protects us from bacteria, viruses and pollutants.

Many of us look to correct the breakout and inflammation response to stress by incorporating a product that is formulated to "fix" the issue instead of looking at the root cause. Knowing that skin is our largest organ and responds to everything in different way, if we have a solid skincare routine in place when we experience stress, this disruption can be cycled through a lot quicker. This is where our entire facial collection comes in as each product is formulated to repair the skin barrier and provide protection from disrupts while providing essential nutrients and minerals to combat any damage.

If you are experiencing a stress breakout and don't know where to start, try using products that are pH balanced and formulated with organic lipids and ceramides to rebalance and decongest skin. We like to recommend sticking with the basics in a routine until things have calmed down so less is more in these circumstances. This includes incorporating a gentle cleanser and balanced hydrator along with a gentle exfoliant to encourage a healthy cellular turnover and draw the congestion to the surface. When looking at our collection of facial exfoliants, we recommend gravitating towards either our Red Clay, Blue Green Algae, or Chamomile & Oats Facial Mask or you can create a custom blend depending on additional skin concerns.

If you experience stress often and would like to make changes to help your body regulate and cope quicker, we recommend incorporating a variety of techniques that you can cultivate into your very own self-care as a lifestyle practice. These can include prioritizing quality sleep, incorporating somatic stretching, yoga or meditation along with daily exercise to create a strong mind-body connection and neutralize the negative effects of stress on the body.

We know that this is easier said than done but remember that small changes make a big difference over time so keep at it.