Stress is a fact that we all experience, but how it affects our skin is often not apparent.
Stress can manifest in blemishes and wrinkles.
Here are five ways that stress can affect your appearance and also five ways to reduce it. You say ….?
Under-eye bags
Who hasn’t had those lovely under-eye bags on many an early morning? Sleep is essential for beauty, but late nights or sleepless nights caused by work commitments and stress can cause dark circles.
Prevent dark, puffy peepers.
Get to bed now! You will be better off if you get as much sleep as possible.
You can forget about reaching for your phone when you climb into bed! You’re guilty! You could read a book or relax and unwind in preparation for peaceful sleep (meditation, soft music, dimmed lights).
Try elevating your neck (no tummy sleepers with their face directly on the bed without a pillow! This will help reduce the amount of fluid that naturally drains to your skin around your eyes.
Then, arm yourself with an eye cream and concealer. View Collection Chronoeyes Puffiness Wrinkle Cream and Dual Action Concealer are our current favorites.
Premature ageing
When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol. Unfortunately, it is notorious for destroying collagen, a protein that keeps your skin supple and firm. You may also frown, and this can cause permanent wrinkles to develop in these areas. Eek.
Reduce wrinkles and lines.
Anti-aging products that target your problem areas are best. Retinol- and Vitamin C-rich products will boost collagen production. Vie Collection Retinopur Imperfections Fluid is our favorite!
Superfoods can help to counteract premature aging. Green vegetables can reduce wrinkles, and oily fish promote telomeres.
Exercise increases endorphins, which fight the effects of cortisol.
Dry skin
Cortisol breaks down collagen and decreases the natural production of hyaluronic acids, which are moisturizers that we all need. This causes the skin to become dry and damaged.
Hydrate your skin
First of all (yes, we’ve heard it before), Drink plenty of water every day! You will feel and look more hydrated the more water you drink! Make this your daily mantra.
Second, make sure your skin care regimen includes a product rich in hyaluronic acids to nourish your skin layers. We’re currently in love with the Mesoforce Hydrating Acid Vitamin Mask.
Using gentle products that are rich in antioxidants, soothing ingredients, and other ingredients to support your skin can also help you during times of stress.
Breakouts
Are you dealing with an unexpected breakout? You woke up with a chin full of pimples! Your body may be producing cortisol at a high rate, which then tells your glands to make more oil that clogs pores! Stress can cause an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the gut, which can manifest itself as acne.
Reduce spots, blemishes, and other imperfections.
Exfoliate. This will help unclog pores and remove any congested oil. This will also remove dead cells, resulting in a clearer complexion and increased blood circulation. Be careful not to exfoliate too much! You can exfoliate your skin a couple of times per week without damaging its natural oils. Customer marine scrub creamy exfoliant is recommended.
It is a myth that moisturizing skin with oil will worsen spots. This is not true! Skin will dry out if you don’t moisturize daily. This can lead to excess oil production as a way to compensate for moisture loss. Clever, but not very helpful!
Conceal: To cover blemishes, use a mineral concealer that is formulated with ingredients that protect the skin and allow it to breathe.
A balanced diet is important. It is also important to eat fruits, vegetables, and high-quality protein like grass-fed beef (they maintain a balance in the gut between good and bad bacteria) and reduce sugar.
Rosacea & Eczema
Stress can cause skin irritation, regardless of whether you have rosacea or eczema. Stress causes our bodies to release more neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and hormones than normal. This leads to inflammation and dilation of the blood vessels in our skin.
