It’s a Catch-22 situation. You’re stressed and it begins to show on your skin and that in turn stresses you out which wreaks more havoc on your skin. A Harvard report calls it a two way street between your brain and your skin and “science suggests that repeated exposure to psychological or environmental stressors can have lasting effects on your skin that go far beyond flushing — and could even negatively affect your overall well-being.”
That’s enough to get our attention and make sure we learn enough about the different ways we can avoid or minimise stress.
So what’s the deal with not managing emotional, mental and physical pressures? Well, it triggers the production of cortisol and “key hormones in the fight-or-flight stress response called catecholamines, which can direct immune cells from the bloodstream into the skin or stimulate pro-inflammatory skin cells”.
Did you know that even exposing your body to too much UV or extreme temperatures can do the same thing?
Cortisol in turn triggers inflammation that contributes to acne, breakouts, bumps and rashes. It also compromises the protective barrier of skin that helps retain moisture levels. And it destroys the amino acids in collagen - the scaffolding that keeps your skin elastic and plump.
With two types of stress - acute (e.g. upcoming deadline) and chronic (e.g. continued anxiety around Covid-19), it’s the longer term stress we should be most worried about. That type will shorten your telomeres, which are “the protective caps on the ends of [y]our chromosomes that affect how quickly [y]our cells age.
Time also talks about a “stress-related hormone called CRH, or corticotrophin-releasing hormone, as one culprit. CRH can bind to receptors in the skin’s sebaceous glands, and that binding drives up the skin’s oil production — which can cause pimples.
But it's not all bad news for your skin. Here’s what can we do about it.
The best coping tools (and they’re free) are drinking more water, getting more sleep, taking more breaks throughout the day and making sure to do some form of weekly exercise to help you release the tension your body holds and help you relax. Even simple breathing exercises and meditation are effective.
Dr Neera Nathan recommends the same and other approaches too. She says, “Healthy lifestyle habits, including a well-balanced diet and exercise, may also help to regulate stress hormones in the body, which should in turn have positive effects for skin and hair.”
When it comes to skincare, use products with ingredients that will help introduce water back into your skin like hyaluronic acid and squalane.
Retinol speeds up cell turnover so it takes quicker for those nasty breakouts to pass. You may be tempted to exfoliate more regularly to do the same but avoid irritating your skin either with mechanical or chemical action.
SOURCES
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/stress-may-be-getting-to-your-s
kin-but-its-not-a-one-way-street-2021041422334
https://www.allure.com/story/physical-symptoms-stress
https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-deal-with-stressed-skin
https://time.com/5014072/stress-pimples-acne/
FAQs and Answers
1. How does stress affect the skin?
Stress triggers the production of cortisol and other hormones, leading to inflammation, increased oil production, acne, and a compromised skin barrier. Chronic stress can also accelerate ageing by shortening telomeres.
2. What are the two types of stress, and which is more harmful to the skin?
The two types of stress are acute (short-term, such as meeting a deadline) and chronic (long-term, like ongoing anxiety). Chronic stress is more harmful as it can have lasting effects on the skin and overall well-being.
3. How does cortisol damage the skin?
Cortisol triggers inflammation, destroys amino acids in collagen (reducing skin elasticity and plumpness), increases oil production (causing acne), and weakens the skin’s barrier, making it harder to retain moisture.
4. Can environmental factors like UV exposure cause similar stress on the skin?
Yes, excessive UV exposure and extreme temperatures can also stimulate cortisol production, leading to inflammation and skin damage similar to stress-induced effects.
5. What lifestyle habits can help reduce stress and improve skin health?
Drinking more water, getting adequate sleep, taking regular breaks, exercising weekly, practising breathing exercises, and meditating can all help regulate stress hormones and improve skin health.
6. Which skincare ingredients can help with stressed skin?
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane help restore moisture, while retinol speeds up cell turnover to clear breakouts faster. However, over-exfoliating should be avoided to prevent further irritation.
7. What role does CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone) play in stress-related skin issues?
CRH binds to receptors in the skin’s sebaceous glands, increasing oil production and contributing to pimples and acne during stress.
8. How can a well-balanced diet and exercise benefit stressed skin?
A healthy diet and regular exercise regulate stress hormones, reducing cortisol levels and inflammation, which in turn improves skin and hair health.
