Stress and your skin

We are rushing to get home from work to cook dinner for the family. Replying to emails before turning off the lights at night. Scrolling mindlessly through social media when we feel overwhelmed and need a break. In other words: many of us are stressed, and it’s taking a toll on our health and our skin.

In our fast paced world, slowing down and taking a moment to pause can seem nearly impossible, but it is necessary for both our mental and physical health - and our skin - to take a breather and slow down a bit.

What happens when you are stressed?

Have you ever noticed breakouts, redness, inflammation, itching, rashes or signs of premature ageing when you are stressed?

If so, you are not alone, and there is a good explanation. Most of us know - and have probably personally felt - that stress affects both our mental and physical health enormously, but fewer may be aware that stress affects our skin significantly as well.

When you are stressed your nervous system is all jacked up. More technically, the sympathetic nervous system (fight and flight) gets activated. Your body thinks you are in danger and all alarm bells start ringing. That’s why you may be sleeping less, eating more unhealthy foods, have a sluggish digestion and get more short and emotional when you are stressed.

When you are stressed your adrenals also produce cortisol. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and it breaks down protein. But what does this have to do with the skin?

Cortisol and your skin

Stress hormones, such as cortisol, break down collagen and elastin, that are primarily made of protein (remember cortisol breaks down protein). In a nutshell, the breakdown of collagen and elastin speed up the ageing process resulting in more wrinkles and fine lines.

But, this is not all cortisol does to the skin. Cortisol may also increase sebaceous gland activity, which leads to more oil production, which can result in breakouts and acne. The skin’s natural barrier may also become disrupted and compromised, making it more susceptible to free radicals and oxidative stress, which can cause inflammation, irritation and dull skin.

When the skin’s natural barrier is affected it may also impair your skin’s ability to retain moisture and water, making it more dry, flaky and dehydrated. If you already have a skin condition, such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema or hives, you may also experience that these conditions flare up during times of stress.

Slow down with mindful rituals

Stress is a natural part of life, and it is important to distinguish between acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is when a dog runs out in front of your car, and you need to hit the brakes. Or when you have a job interview, and you feel nervous the day before. Acute stress is not problematic. In fact, acute stress is necessary and it is what keeps us alive.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, is problematic. This is when you are in a constant state of fight and flight. This is not just a moment of stress or a day or two before an important meeting. It is, well, chronic, and it is what causes skin problems.

So, how do we combat stress? While it is unrealistic to think we will never feel stressed, we can learn to manage stress and incorporate rituals into our daily life that help us stay calm and grounded. It could be rituals or practices such as:

• Meditation

• Yoga

• Walks in nature

• Deep breathing

• Turning off your phone one hour before bed

• Not overscheduling and overcommitting - leave “white space” in your calendar

• Trying our SELF_rituals CALM kit help you wind down and take a pause

• Aromatherapy with calming essential oils such as lavender and chamomile

The right skin care routine

At SELF_ we treat the body as a whole. Here’s the thing: your skin is your largest organ, and it is a reflection of what is going inside. That’s why you have to understand the root cause of your skin problems and treat the body as a whole. There is not ONE moisturiser that will clear your skin. Not ONE supplement that will make your skin glow. Not ONE treatment that will make your skin look young. It’s a combination of a myriad of things, from gut health to the right skin care products and treatments.

That is why we ask you about your menstrual cycle, stress levels, diet, sleep and much more when you go on a skin journey with us. Everything in the body is connected.

That being said, the right skincare and treatments are important, and it can make a huge difference to your skin. When you combine the right skin care products and treatments with the right supplements, you manage your stress, balance your hormones and so forth, you will see results.

At SELF_ we tailor the treatments and products to your skin. We know which products your skin will benefit from - and this will change over time as your skin changes. The right products and treatments can make a huge difference for your skin, but it is vital that you use the right ones, which is where we come in.

Ready to begin your skin journey? Book your first consultation here

SELF_ is a DMK Pure clinic, and we have been awarded the number one DMK Clinic in New Zealand in 2023. Take a look at this blog post to learn more about DMK and why we decided to become a DMK Pure clinic.

Now, take a deep breath all the way into your belly, hold it in for a moment and let it out through your mouth. Take a moment today to decompress, whether it’s a quiet moment with a cup of tea, a long beach walk or a good facial massage while you do your skincare routine tonight.