How stress affects your skin (and what you can do about it)

While responding with specially selected skincare is smart, tackling the root of the problem is also key to helping your skin re-find balance, meaning prioritising self-care and taking time out is vital. One way to do this? Relax with a face mask. Antipodes’ Aura Manuka Honey Purifying Mask is perfect for combining a moment of rest and relaxation with purifying anti-bacterial skincare that’s specially designed for blemish-prone skin. Alternatively, unwind with the magnesium-enriched Soothing Food Supplement from Combeau – designed to promote relaxation.

It's also worth noting that regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, getting proper rest and eating a well balanced diet can all contribute to a clearer complexion. Moments of stress sometimes require going back to the basics!

Though often unnoticed in the moment, stress, agitation and intense concentration can play out in our facial expressions, exaggerating frown lines. Repeatedly tensing your facial muscles while under stress can therefore emphasise fine lines and wrinkles, most frequently on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes. So what can be done to prevent this? While making a conscious effort to control your facial expressions is the no.1 remedy, youth-enhancing skincare that actively addresses wrinkles and fine lines is another way to combat stress-induced signs of ageing. Here’s a curated selection of age-defying essentials…

It’s a tale as old as time – increased stress goes hand in hand with a lack of sleep! One encourages the other, in a perpetual vicious cycle! Unsurprisingly, laying awake at night worrying often results in dark circles or even bags under the eyes come morning, since a build up of fluid (partly due to slowed down lymphatic drainage and circulation changes induced by tiredness) provokes puffiness. 

So how can you prevent these tell-tale signs of tiredness from appearing? Far easier said than done, the best remedy is to aim to get your recommended 8 hours sleep. Switch off any gadgets, avoid blue light in the hours before bed, seek calm, and try and treat yourself to some proper down time before resting your head against a pillow. A soothing bedtime routine supports deeper sleep, so your wind-down skincare and wellness rituals have a powerful part to play.

When stressed, erratic breathing and holding your breath can result in redness. What’s more, feeling anxious can also bring on flushed cheeks. This is because the body’s response to anxiety involves releasing adrenaline, which triggers a fight or flight response that prompts certain physical changes, like a redder face. 

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to control the adrenaline that’s released into your body, you simply have to wait for it to run its course… However, some things still help, such as: exercise that encourages blood circulation, taking the time to slow down, or consciously controlling your breath. Choosing ultra-soothing skincare products that actively address redness, such as Dermalogica’s Stabilizing Barrier-Repairing Cream and Pai Skincare’s Middlemist Seven Camellia & Rose Gentle Cleanser and The Anthemis Soothing Moisturizer, may also ease this common symptom of stress.

A dulled complexion is yet another way stress plays out on your skin. As we’ve already touched upon, one consequence of stress is elevated cortisol levels. This slows down skin cell renewal, leading to a build up of dead skin cells and, consequently, a lacklustre complexion. Dehydration resulting from skin barrier disruption, again due to chronic stress, can also be responsible for reduced glow. Added to this, stress can affect blood flow, meaning less nutrients and oxygen may be delivered to the complexion, resulting in a grey, tired-looking tone. Finally, stress-induced inflammation can also impact pigmentation and prompt uneven skin texture, again dulling radiance. 

In conclusion, stress affects the skin in a myriad of ways. But there is hope! Neglecting or skipping your skincare routine may only amplify stress-related skin concerns, so making skincare a consistent daily habit can help restore balance and support a healthier-looking complexion. Inspired by the above advice, adapt and bolster your routine with clean beauty products specially formulated to target your key concerns. Alternatively, consider next-generation, multi-action skincare solutions, such as Nooance’s Elite X600 Face Mask – designed to address multiple visible signs of stress, from blemishes and blackheads to dullness and uneven skin tone. With the right approach, your skincare routine can become so much more than a daily ritual; it can serve as an act of self-care, a way to counter the visible effects of stress, and a powerful step towards more resilient, radiant-looking skin.

Concerned about the effects of stress on your skin and looking for personalised skincare advice? Write to us at hello@ohmycream.com – our beauty experts will be happy to help!