Are you prone to break outs? Acne? Redness? Dry, tight itching skin? Chances are you’ve experienced; or continue to experience one or more of these skin conditions in your lifetime. How about during times of stress? We’re almost certain there’s lots of nodding going on right now. These skin conditions always rear their ugly head at the most undesirable times – your wedding or that holiday you’ve been thinking about (slightly stressing about) for the past few months. Are we right?
Skin conditions such as the above, flare up in times of stress, anxiety, or trauma as your bodies way of saying “Just a heads up, your skins functionality is currently being compromised right now. Help!” Our largest organ is dramatically affected by our state of mind, our gut health, and our general lifestyle. The culprit for your stress-induced redness, rashes or blemishes, are those hormones of yours! Neurotramitters and other elements deep within your body; far from the surface of your actual skin, are being affected by the adrenal glands. When you’re stressed your adrenal glands receive warning signals from your brain, which then release various hormones (like Adrenalin, Cortisol and Norepinephrine) which all cause the physical signs of stress to appear on our skin. The reactions vary with each individual and can be as severe as alopecia (hair loss) eczema or dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea or cold cores or as annoyingly simple as a blemish ruining your perfect makeup application.
Either way, we all want to manage, control (forever banish) these reactions – as stress, in any form, isn’t good for our quality of life. When you notice these physical signs appearing, the best thing to do is look at your skin care routine. Ensure you’re using products free from nasty ingredients. Your skin is already inflamed and the last thing you want to be doing is adding fuel to the fire. Tone down your use of active ingredients, you should be using products to strengthen, hydrate and that are anti-inflammatory. You want to soothe your skin, giving it the chance to heal itself as your mental state and gut health improve.
Skin Care Routines to Relieve the Stress on Skin
A wonderful routine, suitable for Acne, dull dehydrated and sensitive skin would be a combination of the following:
Cleanse: Osmosis MD Purify of a morning and evening. If extreme dryness is present, temporarily cleanse of an evening only, and wash with water only of a morning.
Anti-Inflammatory: Aspect Dr Redless morning and evening for 2-3 weeks, then introduce Osmosis MD Calm or CosMedix Serum 16 as your Vitamin A serum of an evening only. When using Vitamin A on impaired skin, or skin that isn’t used to a retinol product, always begin using every second or third evening only, then gradually work up to using it every night. Spot treat blemishes/pimples with Aspect spot treat.
Daily moisturiser & SPF: CosMedix Hydrate which also contains SPF15+, or in sever cases of sensitivity or dryness switch to Aspect SMC. In this case you would need to add in your SPF.
*If skin is flaking or tight and sore, add in CosMedix Rescue as a soothing treatment. This can be worn as a mask to bed of an evening, or a small amount added to your daily moisturiser. It’s an antifungal, anti -inflammatory product, that is wonderfully gentle on inflamed and impaired skin
Healing the Effect of Stress on Skin
We’ve heard the next advice PLENTY of times, but you honestly need to stay hydrated, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Exercise creates endorphins to fight off the nasty effects of cortisol on your body. Getting plenty of sleep will ensure you’re able to deal with stressful situations with a clearer, more reactive brain, and staying hydrated will help your body flush toxins and fuel your body for the day ahead. What a combo really!!
Eating well is a topic that needs discussion on Its own. Your gut health plays a vital role in your skin’s appearance, texture and health. A healthy, stronger skin won’t be as sensitive to the bodies process of dealing with stress, and you may find with a change in diet, you no longer face your skin concerns of the past. By including superfoods, probiotics or both into your daily routine, you’ll be healing your bodies pH balance by ensuring you’re getting the basic properties you need. Eating a wide range of fruit, vegetables and high-quality proteins will keep a balance between good and bad bacteria.
Our skin really does shine from the inside!! Make a decision to manage your mind, body and lifestyle, and the changes in your skin will always follow.
Still not sure?
If you need more help or would like personalised advice on what skincare products are best for you, book now for your consultation with a skin care advisor:
Book Your In-Clinic Consultation.
Or fill in the Online Skin Consultation and Gaye, our registered nurse, will happily help you to choose the right treatments and products for your skin type or concern.
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