Doctor shares how longer-term stress can impact your skin
Whether it's juggling family life or navigating a hectic work schedule, stress never feels far behind.
And while this is a natural part of life, people are curious about the impact such pressures could be having on our bodies, especially the skin. In the past three months, searches for ‘how does stress affect skin’ and ‘dry skin and stress’ have both surged by 100% and 56%, respectively.
Not to mention, it’s hard to scroll TikTok without seeing content about the supposed effects of high cortisol levels on appearance, coining the term ‘cortisol face’. In fact, searches for this phrase have skyrocketed by an incredible 1,588% in the past year.
But although ‘cortisol face’ isn’t a medically recognised diagnosis, there is some truth to the idea that the stress hormone impacts skin health, just not as directly as swelling and bloating of the face.
As April marks Stress Awareness Month, Dr Dave Reily, Head Scientist, at Absolute Collagen, explains how stress affects skin health and the key signs to watch for.
“Stress comes in many forms and can impact people in different ways. But whatever the cause may be, when experiencing particularly stressful periods of your life, you might notice changes in your skin or experience flare-ups of previously managed conditions.
“This happens because we have a 'brain-skin axis', a two-way connection where psychological stress can affect the skin and vice versa. Simply put, when the body perceives stress, it triggers the brain to release the stress hormone, cortisol.
“Over time, prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and disrupt the nervous system, causing inflammation and hormonal imbalances.
“These imbalances can cause symptoms such as acne, clogged pores, pigmentation, and even break down collagen, reducing skin elasticity. Stress can also compromise the skin barrier, leading to dryness and irritation.”
So, to help tackle stressed skin, Absolute Collagen has shared four tips to give it the TLC it needs:
1. Implement small lifestyle changes
Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference to both your skin and overall health.
Improving sleep, eating nourishing foods, taking daily supplements and practising mindfulness can all help your body manage stress and in turn, improve skin health. While these changes may feel challenging during stressful times, they can make a huge difference.
Supporting the skin from the inside out is always the best place to start!
2. Avoid sugary foods
In stressful moments, we often lack the time to cook, instead reaching for the most convenient snack or microwave meal. But if you are noticing worsening skin problems, those sugary foods could be to blame.
As the old saying goes, you are what you eat, and high sugar intake causes blood sugar spikes, leading to inflammation and excess sebum, both of which can contribute to acne, psoriasis, and other skin problems. Over time, excess sugar consumption can also cause collagen damage, contributing to fine lines and sagging.
To protect your skin, reduce your consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and choose lower-sugar alternatives whenever possible. And to satisfy those sweet cravings, healthier options like figs, dates, or dark chocolate are great substitutes.
But remember, don’t expect your skin to transform overnight. Changes in the diet can influence skin health gradually so it’s best to keep consistent with a balanced diet all year round.
3. Stick to a simple and regular skincare routine
It's common for skincare routines to fall by the wayside during stressful times, but having a consistent routine is vital.
Keep your routine simple yet effective. Start by cleansing your skin gently but thoroughly twice a day to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. Products and serums that contain bakuchiol, a gentle retinol alternative, can help to calm inflammation and improve skin texture too.
Consistency is key, so make a point to stick to your routine. Setting aside a few minutes each day for skin care can not only benefit your complexion but will also serve as a small act of self-care during stressful times.
4. Protect against outside aggressors
When your immune system is weakened, it's so important to protect your skin from outside aggressors.
An easy way to do this is to make sure you are using an SPF every day to protect from both UVA and UVB rays.
This is because UVA levels are constant all year round and cannot be filtered by clouds and windows, unlike UVB rays. They reach deeper into the skin, causing photodamage and accelerating photoaging, which can worsen stress-related skin conditions.
So, there you have it, how stress can impact the skin and four ways to combat it.
For more information on the effects of long-term stress on the skin or to browse the Absolute Collagen Deep Lift Skincare range visit the Absolute Collagen website.
