Have you been feeling tired, worn out, and stressed recently? While stress can impact your mental and physical health, it can affect your skin too. Research has shown that the majority of people who report moderate to high stress levels also tend to see more skin concerns, such as more pronounced wrinkles or fine lines, inflammation, and acne breakouts. Stress can also make chronic skin conditions like rosacea and eczema worse. If you’re noticing your skin is looking more stressed than normal, you don’t have to panic: try some of our top tips for calming stressed out skin.
Stay Hydrated
When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can hinder your skin’s oil production, which in turn will make your skin feel tight, dry, and rough. To combat this, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day (at least eight to ten glasses) and use a hydrating moisturizer on your skin. We recommend applying moisturizer in the morning and at night. If you find that your skin is still dry even after applying moisturizer twice a day, it’s likely that you need a richer moisturizer that can deliver concentrated hydration to your dry skin.
Move & Groove
Exercise has plenty of health benefits – and stress reduction is just one of them. Regular, consistent exercise has been shown to alleviate the effects of stress by reducing your cortisol levels, promoting endorphin production, and encouraging blood flow. Not only does this lower your stress levels, the extra circulation can also strengthen your skin’s natural barriers and even reduce the frequency of acne breakouts. You don’t have to do anything intense, either – a simple walk in the park every day can be enough to reap the benefits of exercise.
Ditch Your Coffee
Do you need a caffeine fix every day? Whether it’s from coffee, soda, or energy drinks, caffeine can increase stress by causing your cortisol levels to spike. If your body is already feeling stressed, caffeine will only make you feel more jittery and anxious, creating a never-ending loop of cortisol production and stressed out skin. Instead of maxing out on caffeine, try switching to decaf or reducing your caffeine intake.
Limit Screen Time
Blue light, which is the light emitted from screens on devices like computers and smartphones, has also been shown to stress out your skin. That’s because blue light interferes with your sleep schedule, and a lack of sleep can – you guessed it – raise your cortisol levels. If possible, try to cut down on your use of screens throughout the day. If you have to use a computer for work, remember to take frequent breaks. This can also help reduce eye strain.
Contact Maloney Plastic Surgery Today!
If your skin is feeling and looking stressed out, our skincare specialists at Maloney Plastic Surgery can help. We know how a busy schedule can impact your skin, and we’re here to help you devise a custom skincare routine that addresses your individual stressors. Contact us today to get started!
