How to ease the effects of stress on your skin

Stress affects the skin in so many ways, and my, are most of us feeling them! Even as we leave the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic behind, negotiating our new normal is far from the stress-free experience we hoped it would be.

Continued uncertainty and the prospect of changing restrictions are seeing stress levels climb once again, and it’s showing on our skin as WebMD details:

“Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. It can also make it harder for skin problems to heal. Have you ever noticed that you break out more when you’re stressed? This is because stress causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems.”

There’s no one way of solving all your stress-induced skin issues, and avoiding stress completely is pretty much impossible. But taking steps to ease its effects can leave you with healthier, more nourished skin as well as a happier, more carefree, positive life.

Find a great skincare routine – and stick with it!

If the skin minimalism and slow beauty movements have taught us anything it’s that great skin care isn’t down to how much time you spend beautifying yourself or how many steps your regime is made up of.

Taking a simpler approach to self-care is the best solution, with a 2- or 3-step routine that uses high quality, multifunctional products the key to guaranteeing a healthy, balanced foundation that delivers long term results. Going back to basics will also serve you well in the face of life’s ups and downs.

When you’re stressed, it’s so easy to neglect your skin. You may be too tired or down to go through the motions of a long-winded beauty routine, and this will leave your skin neglected and undernourished.

By simplifying your skincare routine, you’re more likely to stick with it to ensure your skin gets the TLC it needs when you need it most.

Take some time to relax and recharge

Minimising stress in your life is the obvious place to start, but we understand this is easier said than done.

Whatever it is that’s stressing you out, limit your exposure to the underlying cause by dedicating some time to relaxation. A long bath at the end of the day, a short walk through the park, a regular exercise session, or 10 minutes reading a book will take your mind off your worries.

This respite can give you the boost you need to recharge your batteries and be in a better position and headspace to manage stress more easily, ultimately limiting its effects on your skin.

Introducing other stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can also make a huge difference to how you tackle life’s little and big dramas to limit the effects on your skin and wider body.

Make a real effort to get a good night’s sleep

The best rest you can give your mind, body and soul is through regular sleep. Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night to ensure you’re well-rested to successfully manage stress. Sleep is integral to skin health too, not just your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing – yes, there is such a thing as beauty sleep!

By getting enough sleep, you can give your skin time to heal and repair, produce new collagen to keep it plump and younger-looking, and reduce the dark circles and under-eye puffiness that leaves your complexion looking a little lacklustre.

Talk it out with a friend, relative or therapist

As the saying goes “a problem shared is a problem halved”, and the best way to tackle stressful situations is to talk about them. Whether it’s a friend, relative or a professional that’s lending their ear, seeking the support you need can ease the burden that stress easily puts on all of us.

Image: Irina Bg / Shutterstock.com