How does stress affect your skin?
Problems, skin, and stress have a cyclical relationship. When our skin is at its worst and nothing you do or use improves it, it’s easy to get stressed. Stress, in turn, can cause our skin to change dramatically – sometimes it becomes dry and irritated and at other times oily and acne-affected.
This tough cycle is harmful for both your skin and your overall well-being. Working to improve both will lead to positive changes in your mood and a clearer and more balanced complexion.
Can stress cause skin problems?
Most of the changes that your skin experiences as a result of stress are related to the hormone cortisol. When you become stressed, the heart produces cortisol which can interfere with the delicate balance of the skin.
Under stress, cortisol is released, which encourages glycation under the skin surface. The glycation process damages and hardens the natural collagen in your skin and enhances the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In particularly harmful cases, stress can also reduce the cells’ ability to repair themselves, leading to accelerating signs of aging.
Cortisol also affects the skin’s production of hyaluronic acid; a natural moisturizer that is important for moisturizing the skin and giving it a fuller look. Stressed skin is therefore often dull, dry and sensitive.
Stress can also lead to an oilier, unbalanced skin tone. An increase in cortisol causes the oil glands in the skin to produce more oil which can cause acne outbreaks. Cortisol is an immunosuppressive hormone that allows bacteria (which are normally combated) to attack and grow on the skin. Stress is, therefore, one of the main causes of acne on mature skin, as the skin’s natural balance is disturbed.
There are many creams you can use that are developed for stressed, tired eyes and counteracts fatigue signs by reducing swelling around the sensitive eye area. The eye mask is filled with moisturizing ingredients that counteract moisture loss around the eyes.
When your skin is severely stressed and irritated, soothing masks can help make a visible difference after just one use.
