Stress and Skin – The Undeniable Connection

Skin-Friendly Habits

This is the sixth part of our “Skin-Friendly Habits” series. The purpose of these articles is to share the essential steps and also plenty of tips and tricks that will help you keep your skin and your life as beautiful as possible. Even if you already know some of these things, these articles can hopefully act as a friendly and gentle reminder to take care of yourself.

As with many other things – consistency is the key. Stress has undeniable effects on your skin. Below we will delve a bit further and share some tips and tricks.

Stress and Skin – Why There’s More to Stress Than it Might Seem

Stress can affect your mental health, of course, but it can also change physiological processes and affect your physical health (including your skin) as well. Below are 3 of the most common ways in which stress can affect your skin.

1. Chronic Inflammation

Stress can cause chronic inflammation in your body which can lead to numerous health and skin issues. It can worsen certain conditions, cause them to flare up, or even induce them. There are autoimmune skin diseases (alopecia, psoriasis, etc.) that can significantly worsen when you are under temporary but especially chronic stress. Hormonal changes that happen when you are stressed are incredibly important when it comes to not only the appearance, but overall health of your skin. High stress can, either directly or indirectly, cause different forms of dermatitis, warts, acne, hair loss, excessive sweating and itchy rashes.

2. You Might Stop Taking Care Of Your Skin

There are more important things in life than having amazing skin but taking care of your appearance is just another way of taking care of yourself. Taking the time to do your daily skincare routine can be just what your brain needs, but it can be hard to do when your thoughts are racing and you feel stressed and under pressure. It’s a simple feedback loop and nourishing, cleansing, and moisturizing your skin can be a form of relaxation that is also a part of a structured day. It’s simply 5 or 10 minutes out of your day that can make an immense difference. When you are stressed you might feel less motivated to do this but pushing through will make you feel better because you will know you did something that is both relaxing and good for you.

3. You Might Pay Less Attention To Your Health

Healthy lifestyle is one of the most important steps when it comes to skincare. If you want your skin to glow, you have to make sure you eat a healthy, wholesome diet, exercise enough, drink plenty of water and yes, take care of your mental health.

All those things might not be a priority when you feel stressed, but just like your skincare routine, this is a feedback loop. If you feel stressed you might be tempted to let loose in at least one area of your life. We are not saying you should deprive yourself and completely stop eating comfort foods or taking a day or two off. Those days can be just as important as more productive ones. Healthy skin is all about consistency and making sure you make your health a priority will help you keep your skin in the best shape possible even if you are under a fair amount of stress in your daily life. Healthy body is the first step to having healthy skin.

If you would like to experience a soothing mindfulness meditation, please feel free to listen to our Respekt beauty routine meditation sessions.