8 ways your skin suffers from your stress and how to soothe it

Stress can manifest itself in skin problems like acne, inflammation, etc. How do you know if stress is the cause? Your skin is your body’s largest organ. External problems can be a telltale sign that all is not well below. While bottled serums and sheet masks have a certain aesthetic and soothing appeal, a solid skincare routine may not be enough to calm your body’s complex systems.

Stress makes your skincare routine more difficult.

Increased cortisol levels can scramble the messages your nerves decide to send, which can cause a flare-up of hives or fine lines. And yes, your diet or skincare products can cause skin problems, but it’s also important to consider stress as a potential culprit, especially if a rash appears out of nowhere or lingers for a long time. after you have done all possible tests.

Here are eight proven ways that mental, physical and hormonal stress changes your skin. But above all, we tell you what you can do to fix it.

1. Sun stress and exhaustion of the skin’s defenses

Before you even look inside, there’s a radiation factor that can physically stress your skin and weaken its defenses: ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A carcinogenic component (which causes cancer) of sun exposure, it can have a negative effect on the skin. Whether in the form of natural sunlight or more artificial means like tanning beds, ultraviolet rays signal blood cells to rush to the exposed area in an attempt to repair it. This manifests as sunburn. Overexposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to dark spots, moles, and even skin cancer. The best way to combat UV rays and sun stress is to apply sunscreen every morning. In addition to sunscreens, you can also oppose sun damage from the inside. There is a link between certain nutrients and the ability to boost your skin’s natural sun protection. Fruits rich in antioxidants and vitamin C (like strawberries and pomegranates) have the ability to protect your cells from free radical damage caused by sun exposure. It is important to remember that eating these foods is not a substitute for wearing sunscreen. You should always wear sunscreen and consider eating foods rich in limonene, found in citrus fruits, vitamin C and other antioxidants.

2. Inflammation and extra-irritated skin

Hives, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and rosacea are often the result of inflammation, but studies also show that when your brain is overworked, it can compromise your skin’s protective abilities. In other words, stress makes it harder to regulate and balance your skin. It’s no wonder you get an extra rash during a sleepless week or after a heated argument. Inflammation can also cause acne. But remember that some skin conditions, like rosacea, can also look like acne. It is important to note the difference before treating conditions, especially if your irritation is due to stress, allergies or a harmful product. The fight against inflammation due to stress begins with the elimination of the cause. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to find the exact reason for your stress, but there are still ways to bring the fire under control through diet, exercise or therapy.

Elimination of stress
Practice long-term stress management, such as meditation or yoga.
Avoid processed or artificial foods and sweeteners.
Prefer fruit to artificial sweeteners, olive oil to margarine and fish to red meat.
Drink a homemade anti-stress tonic to boost your body’s defenses.

3. Increased sebum production and acne

Whether it’s the impending dread of exam week or a spontaneous heartache, we’ve all likely suffered from a stubborn pimple (or two). Stress is strongly associated with acne, especially in women. It can disrupt our skin’s nerve signals, causing a hormonal and chemical imbalance that increases sebum production. While it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate stress from the equation, there are ways to overcome it. Keep 5- and 10-minute stress-busting tips handy, and try longer stress-management techniques, like exercise, to increase your body’s coping skills. Most acnes also respond to topical treatments. The secret ingredient in our most popular anti-acne products is often a beta-hydroxy acid called salicylic acid. This oil-soluble chemical penetrates pores extremely well to unclog and clean them, but that doesn’t mean it’s free of its own drawbacks. Too much or too much salicylic acid can dry out and even irritate your skin. Nightly spot treatments, applied with care, are therefore useful for targeting problem areas without harming the skin of the surrounding areas.

4. Waxy scalp, hair loss and loose nails

There is no one way to deal with stress. Have you ever unconsciously pulled your hair, bit your nails, or scratched both? It could be the stress hormone cortisol that triggers your body’s fight or flight response. However, before you think it’s stress, you should consult a dermatologist and a doctor to rule out other potential problems. For example, scaly or waxy skin could be eczema. Hair loss or peeling nails may be due to insufficient nutrition due to skipping meals. For now, avoid extremely hot showers to avoid further damage to your skin and scalp. Bring more consistency to your day by striving for regular exercise and eating a nutrient-dense diet of fruits and vegetables.

5. Thinner, more sensitive skin

The skin can become thinner in the event of abnormally high cortisol levels. Cortisol causes dermal proteins to break down, which can make skin look almost paper-thin, and cause bruising and tearing. However, this symptom is mostly associated with Cushing’s syndrome. Also known as hypercortisolism, this hormonal condition has other symptoms such as glucose intolerance, muscle weakness and weakened immune system (infections can multiply). If you think you have Cushing’s syndrome, make an appointment with a healthcare professional. In most cases, medications can be prescribed to manage cortisol levels.

6. Delay of natural wound healing

When faced with significant stress, your epidermis can quickly weaken, increasing your risk of infections and environmental pathogens. It also slows down your skin’s natural ability to heal wounds, scars and acne. To repair your skin barrier, you can use products containing glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The same remedies you use to combat sun exposure apply here too. Consume foods high in antioxidants to achieve a similar effect and enhance internal healing. In addition to the internal hydration of the skin (through the consumption of water), give preference to the use of products based on zinc and linseed oil. These ingredients have been shown to help maintain skin hydration and enhance wound healing.

7. Exhausted eyes and orbital skin

If you’ve ever been commented on about the unmistakable dark circles around your eyes, then you know how badly lack of sleep reveals itself physically. And yes, it is also stress. Our body is constantly running adrenaline when it’s in “fight or flight” mode, including late at night. If you’re already trying meditation and yoga for sleep, beef up your bedtime routine by using essential oil diffusers, turning on white noise machines, and avoiding screens for two hours before sleep. For sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, CBD oil and melatonin pills may be more reliable remedies.

8. Fine lines and wrinkles

Whether it’s a frown or a frown, psychological stress inevitably finds a way to leave permanent traces of our emotions. What can we do there? You can try facial yoga. Arguably safer than Botox, face yoga can yield similar results, although the commitment to practicing it every day can be difficult to maintain. By targeting the facial muscles we unconsciously use every day, with sharp massage techniques in areas of high tension such as the forehead, eyebrows and jawline, these exercises can counter the development of wrinkles and leave skin feeling supple. and resistant. For extra help, applying pressure to the face with a chilled jade roller activates the lymphatic system, which can also reduce puffiness and the appearance of stress damage to the face. skin.

Stop the cycle of stress

Stress does not manifest in the same way in all individuals, but everyone experiences it to some degree. Instead of comparing stress levels with others to find out if your stress is “that bad”, choose to take care of yourself when you need it. Although we can’t control the myriad ways in which stress manifests, we can control how we choose to react to it. Remembering to take care of yourself and your skin is one of the small ways to slowly but surely reduce stress.

* Presse Santé strives to transmit health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO CASE, the information given can not replace the advice of a health professional.

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8 ways your skin suffers from your stress and how to soothe it


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