No one welcomes stress, yet everyone knows it’s unavoidable sometimes. Stress not only affects your mood and your thoughts, but it also affects the health of your body and even your appearance! The Brain-Skin connection is stronger than you think! Here are a few ways that stress can affect your skin.
Wrinkles
One way stress affects your skin is by increasing cortisol levels. Cortisol has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on fibroblast collagen production, which increases the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Dry skin
Stress has been shown to lead to an impaired barrier function, thus, causing the skin to lose its ability to retain water and cause dry and rough skin.
Breakouts
The cortisol released by stress also affects how much oil your skin produces, which can lead to oily skin, acne, and breakouts in some individuals.
Puffy eyes
It’s harder to sleep with things on your mind, and we know how much goes through your head when you’re stressed. But if you’re not getting enough sleep, fluid can pool below your eyes to form those nasty under-eye bags.
Complexion
Stress causes blood flow to move towards your body’s vital organs. Because of this skin is less nourished/oxygenated and can appear dull. Secondly, cortisol also plays a role in decreasing skin’s regeneration capacity, also contributing to skin dullness.
Here are a few ways that you can fight back against the effects of stress on your skin!
Get enough sleep
Getting at least 7 hours of sleep helps minimize puffy eyes in the morning. Sleep also allows your skin to repair itself from daily damage, gives a healthy glow and improve overall appearance.
Work out
Exercise helps to reduce stress! Physical activity boosts your circulation to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to your skin. Plus, physical activity acts as a mood lifter, improves alertness, and reduces fatigue.
Eat and drink
Eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can help your body and your skin battle stress and stay hydrated. A diet that is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich will support your skin’s healing process.
Choose the right skin care products
You can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help restore moisture and a healthy glow with a few simple steps. ! Wash your face with a facial cleanser to get rid of dirt and oils. Look for one that also exfoliates to get rid of dead skin cells that can dull the look of your skin. A moisturizer like YOUTH® Age Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30 can keep your skin feeling soft and smooth while protecting your skin from the sun and environmental pollutants. YOUTH® Radiance C+E can help plump and brighten skin, as well as reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Relax!
Slow down, sit back, take a deep breath, and relax. Try to get some quiet “alone time” to clear your mind and get rid of stress. You could try yoga, take a walk outdoors, or just do something that you enjoy doing! The goal is to get your mood up and your stress down.
“You look stressed” are three words that we never want to hear again! Take some time to de-stress, and your smoother, clearer skin will reflect the new you.
