CALM DOWN ALREADY
WHEN WE GET SENSITIVE ON THE INSIDE, OUR SKIN SOMETIMES FOLLOWS SUIT
The solution to stressed-out skin, from the inside out.
it’s not just in your head. The stress you feel can play out on your face, and not just in furrowed brows and frowns. From breakouts after a big week at work to extreme dryness after a few sleepless nights, we often write this off as bad luck. But Sydney-based dermatologist Dr Nina Wines says it’s no coincidence. “Your skin tells all your secrets.”
The science is quite straight-forward. When we’re feeling the pressure, our levels of the stress hormone cortisol spike, and if those levels remain high for a prolonged period of time, they can wreak havoc on our skin. How stress shows up in the mirror depends a lot on your complexion and age, but in a nutshell, it can affect the integrity of your skin’s natural collagen and moisture, which can exacerbate fine lines and dryness, as well as increase oil production (hello, breakouts). There may also be a surge in inflammatory chemicals, which can be great for defending our body against dangers like that bacteria-laden pole on the bus, but can cause conditions such as eczema and rosacea to flare up as well.
Well, stress less, you say. The problem is that angry, spotty skin can make you feel even more on-edge. “The social impact is completely underestimated,” says Wines. “People start avoiding social situations, their self-esteem and body image plummet and those feelings of shame can take over.”
The good news is that there’s a lot we can do. The first step is to recognise the signs of stress and try not to drop all the self-care balls at once. “When we’re stressed, we’re not always good at getting sleep, exercising, staying hydrated or eating well, all of which can worsen your skin,” says Wines. Also, watch your habits. It could be as simple as noticing that when you’re worried, you touch your face more.
Introducing stress-management techniques into your daily routine can also hold you in good stead. Take square (or box) breathing. It’s used by yogis and military operatives alike when they need to calm down and focus, and resilience researcher Dr Brené Brown praised the technique during her viral TED Talk about vulnerability. It’s as simple as it is effective: breathe in for four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four. Repeat as necessary. “While we might not have a lot of scientific studies to back it up yet, it’s clear that relaxation can be as crucial to your skin integrity as your mental state,” says Wines.
You can also talk your skin off the edge from the outside. “Certain ingredients may help calm your skin,” says Wines. If you’re experiencing breakouts, look for antibacterial cleansing formulas and spot treatments with salicylic acid. If too much oil production is a problem, mattifying lotions and primers with silica can help. But the most important step is moisturising. It sounds counterintuitive, but hydration strengthens your skin barrier, which, in turn, helps to control oil production. And if you’re red in the face, opt for formulas with niacinamide, a B3 vitamin that can help reduce redness and inflammation while retaining moisture.
The bottom line: while there’s no shortage of skincare available, it could be more helpful to check in with your mental health first.