Do you have ‘resting stress face’?

Feeling stressed? It’s written all over your face. Yes, while we may not even be aware of it, stress takes its toll on our skin.

Anxiety and tension cause the mouth to curl downwards, the eyes to furrow, the jaw to tense and the lips to purse.

In our London clinic we call this RSF – resting stress face. And after the past couple of years, it’s no surprise that it’s on the up.

Simply put, we’re all in a state of fight or flight – and it’s looking back at us in the mirror. But all is not lost, and there are plenty of simple tricks to try to fight the facial burnout.

So how is it done? Sit back, relax, and follow our guide below.

Each week our experts Dr AAMER KHAN and LESLEY REYNOLDS bring you the latest beauty news and wellbeing advice

SIMPLE STEPS TO DE-STRESS YOUR FACE DIY facial massage

Facial massage is like a workout for the face. Just a few minutes every day will ease muscle tension, soothe eye strain, decrease puffiness and boost circulation. And when you look calm, you feel calm.

Try it during your cleansing routine. Use a cleanser with a buttery texture and plenty of slip, such as Templespa In The Beginning Deep Pore and

Exfoliating Cleansing Melt (£32, templespa.com).

1

Apply a pea-sized amount to cheeks, chin and forehead and massage using circular upward movements.

2

Place your fingers on either side of your neck, right under your ears, and gently move them in a downward motion towards the back of your neck. Repeat 10 times.

3

Next, place your fingers on top of your shoulders, either side of your neck, and gently massage down to your collarbone.

4

Using knuckles, gently knead along the jawline.

5

Finish by massaging the cheeks and tapping lightly under the eyes before rinsing off.

Ease eye strain

Relieve tension from the eye area with this easy trick.

Rub your hands together to warm them up before placing your palms over your closed eyes. Leave them there for a minute or so while you breathe deeply.

Smile smoother

Smooth cheek lines and correct a downward-turned mouth by hiding your teeth and making a tight “O” shape with your mouth. Now smile widely while keeping the teeth hidden.

Hold the smile while placing one index finger on the chin, and move the jaw up and down six to 10

times, tilting your head back slightly. Relax and repeat twice.

Switch positions

Whether you’re standing or sitting all day, staying in one position for too long will cause problems. Change position every 30 minutes as this will help alleviate tension in the neck, jaw and face.

Super stretches

Get into the habit of stretching neck and shoulder muscles daily.

1

In a chair, sit on your left hand to help anchor your left shoulder.

2

Tilt your head to the right so your right ear moves towards your right shoulder.

3

Place your right hand on top of your head and gently pull your head further to the right to intensify the stretch on the left side. Hold for 30 seconds.

4

Repeat three times before switching to the other side.

Mega meditation

Known for its relaxing effects, meditation helps to calm the nervous system and relieve tension in your facial muscles.

Oxygenation through conscious breathing has an almost instant effect on relaxing your face too.

SUPER SKINCARE

The stress hormone cortisol causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of essential nutrients our skin receives. This process not only dulls our skin, but can trigger a wide range of allergic and inflammatory skin ailments. Stressed-out people also suffer from lower levels of the anti-stress hormone DHEA, which has been shown in numerous studies to help maintain the youthfulness of skin cells. Skincare is integral to de-stressing skin, with many brands launching anti-stress skincare lines.

Utilising ingredients ranging from skin barrier-building ceramides to hydrating hyaluronic acid, they feed skin what it needs to calm down.

TRY:

De Mamiel First Fix (£135, demamiel.com) treats the symptoms of stress using a formula containing squalane and prickly pear, inspired by both western and Chinese medicine. Skinceuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment (£78, skinceuticals.co.uk) is a new gel-creme moisturiser that works to soothe inflammation while correcting discoloration and reducing oil production.

AT THE CLINIC

Botox for bruxism: One

Botox session can offer instant relief from jaw pain, tension and headaches.

A square, severe appearance of the lower face, caused by constant teeth grinding, also softens into a more normal and softer jawline.

Treatment is painless and quick at just five minutes long. Results last up to six months. It costs from £200.

Phototherapy for stressed skin: Light therapy treats a wide range of skin conditions caused by stress, such as acne, rosacea, pigmentation and ageing.

It works by naturally stimulating the skin at different depths depending on the colour of light used, accelerating cell growth, and improving collagen, circulation and condition.

Celluma is a 30-minute treatment that uses a mask beaming a combination of blue, red, and near-infrared light. Best results are seen after four to six sessions. It costs from £60 to £100, see harleystreetskinclinic.com

For more of Lesley’s tips, visit lesleyreynolds.co.uk