How stress is affecting your skin
We all know the feeling of being stressed. Your heart races, you can't focus, and you might even feel a little sick. But did you know that stress can also show up on your skin?
That's right, stress can cause skin symptoms, from acne to eczema to psoriasis. So if you've been dealing with a few extra breakouts or your eczema is acting up, it might be time to look at your stress levels. In this post, we’re exploring all about the effects of stress on your skin, and common skin conditions that can be caused or related to stress and anxiety.
How stress affects your skin
Your skin is one of the body’s largest organs and the protective envelope that wraps your internal organs, fighting off free radicals around the clock. Therefore it's also one of the most vulnerable organs to stress.
When you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that causes skin inflammation. This can lead to various skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.
In addition, stress can make existing skin conditions worse. If you're struggling with stress-related skin problems, you can do a few things to help improve your skin health.
First, try to find ways to reduce your overall stress levels. We’ve got some tips on how to do this below, but this may involve things such as making lifestyle changes or seeking professional help.
Second, use gentle skincare products that won't further irritate your skin.
And finally, be sure to get plenty of rest and exercise, as these can help reduce stress levels and promote skin healing.
The different types of skin conditions caused by stress and anxiety.
There's no denying that stress can take a toll on your body in various ways - from causing headaches and neck pain to affecting your digestion and sleep patterns. But where it often first shows up is your skin. This is your body's call to action to slow down and de-stress.
Here are just a few of the different types of skin problems that can be caused by stress:
Dry skin: Stress can cause your body to produce less oil, leading to dry, cracked skin.
Eczema: This inflammatory skin condition can be aggravated by stress, leading to itchiness, redness, and scaly-looking skin.
Psoriasis: Like eczema, psoriasis is also an inflammatory condition that can be made worse by stress. Symptoms include red, scaly patches on the skin.
Acne: Stress can increase the production of hormones like cortisol, leading to more frequent or intense breakouts.
If you're noticing more skin problems than usual, it could signify that you're stressed out. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to manage stress, from relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation to relaxation facials and massages, or supplements for stress and anxiety (which we’ll cover in a moment!).
Don't let stress get the best of your skin - take steps to manage it and your skin will thank you!
If you are experiencing any of the above issues with your skin, try our DMK Beta Gel its signature formula is designed for reactive, irritated, or traumatised skin.
How to identify if stress is the root cause of your skin issues
When you are stressed, your body goes into survival mode. This causes your body to produce cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol can lead to inflammation and other skin problems that disrupt your skin's natural barrier, making it more susceptible to infection and other issues.
If you are struggling with chronic skin problems, it is worth considering whether stress may be the root cause. Look for other signs of stress in your life, such as difficulty sleeping, fatigue, or mood swings. If you think that stress may be the culprit and can identify and reduce the amount of stress in your life, you may see a significant improvement in your skin's health. We believe at Skin From Within that your skin’s best health comes from when you take a holistic approach to skincare.
Steps you can take to reduce or eliminate stress in your life
Many different things can cause stress in our lives, from work or family obligations to financial or relationship worries. But no matter what the source of your stress may be, there are steps you can take to reduce or eliminate it. One of the best ways to deal with stress is to remain proactive and not to let it overwhelm you.
1. Look at the big picture.If you're experiencing a sudden outbreak of acne or eczema, take a step back and look at your life for any changes or stressful situations that might be triggering your skin issues.
2. Check your diet.When we're stressed, we tend to make less healthy choices when it comes to food and drink and these choices can become bad coping habits. If you notice that your skin is acting up after eating certain foods or drinking alcohol, it could be a sign that your body is trying to tell you to cut back or that your gut health may need special attention.
3. Consider your lifestyle.Are you getting enough sleep? Exercise? If not, it could be taking a toll on your skin. Chronic stress can affect our physical and mental health, unchecked it can lead to more serious health problems such as heart disease, obesity and depression. Make sure you're taking care of yourself in all aspects of life, not just skincare, to maintain healthy skin.
Products and treatments that can help improve the appearance of stressed-out skin
Though, some days and weeks, no amount of schedule shifting or simplifying can help with stress. That’s where we need to lean on some external support, to help us manage
and reduce our stress levels. When your schedule is jam-packed, it can be hard to find the time to chill-out and meditate or do some yoga. That’s where supplements for anxiety and good gut health come in.
When these weeks roll around, you can rely on our go-to stress-relief supplement: Regul8 Relax. An all-natural supplement that includes herbal ingredients such as chamomile, lemon balm, and passionflower, which have all been shown to reduce anxiety, regulate stress levels and promote relaxation.
Regul8 also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that is found in green tea and has been shown to reduce stress by increasing alpha waves in the brain.
The best thing about Regul8 is it is non-habit forming, so you can take it as needed without worrying about becoming dependent on it.
Stress is an inevitable part of life and can negatively impact our lives in many ways, including our skin health. Fortunately, there are things we can do to minimise the appearance of stress on our skin. By taking care of ourselves and managing stress effectively, we can help keep our skin looking its best.
If you’re looking for a solution to managing your stress, be sure to check out our go-to supplement range, or if stress-related skin conditions are making you feel less than confident in your skin, be sure to visit our Tugun, Gold Coast clinic for a skin consultation where we can create a customised, holistic skin care plan for you.