Having a bad skin day? We hear you! Sometimes, it looks and feels like your skin is under attack. Your usually clear complexion disappears, leaving behind redness, breakouts, or rough patches, all of which are surefire signs that your skin is stressed. People often practice relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to ease emotional or mental stress. The same principle applies to your skin – you need effective strategies to bring your skin back to its naturally beautiful state.
Like any good self-care treatment, it's important to be gentle with your skin. Stressed skin is vulnerable and requires TLC, so don't damage it further by straining your complexion with harsh or drying lotions or masks. Give your skin the loving care it deserves, and you'll see noticeable results.
What Is Stressed Skin?
Unfortunately, when you have stressed skin, the evidence is clear for all to see, and it's easy to get caught up in the vicious cycle that prolongs the problem. Whether it's the chronic, everyday stress of your job or a sudden shock of a divorce or serious illness, stress happens, and your skin suffers. Trying to heal it with a quick-fix product may exacerbate the problem, and the frustration can cause even more stress.
Your skin is very responsive to stimuli inside and out, making it susceptible to stress triggers that can create issues with your complexion.
Signs of Stressed Skin
Here are some of the most common concerns that arise when you have stressed skin:
● Redness
● Rough, uneven texture
● Acne, blemishes, or breakouts
● A dull appearance
● Skin that feels tight or dry
● A prickly, stinging sensation
The symptoms of stressed skin may depend on your skin type, age, the products you use, and the nature of the stress. Identify the cause of the stress, and you can formulate an effective treatment plan to care for your stressed skin.
Factors Behind Stressed Skin
There are several potential underlying causes of stressed skin. On the surface level, you'll need to address the issue with a skincare regime, but identifying and reducing stress can also reduce the symptoms. This holistic approach promotes a healthy mind and spirit and healthier-looking skin. Common culprits of stressed skin include:
● Hormones: When you experience stress, your body releases hormones as part of the fight-or-flight response. Cortisol is a primary stress hormone that can interfere with normal immune system function. If you're living under constant stress, even at low levels, you're dealing with a steady flow of cortisol, which disrupts the immune system and sometimes inflames the skin, leaving it red and painful.
● Environmental aggressors: External factors can also cause stressed skin. Regular exposure to pollution toxins or the sun's powerful UV rays can damage the complexion's natural moisture barrier, leaving your skin dehydrated, dry, and rough. It can also take longer for this kind of stress to heal.
● Poor lifestyle habits: Many of us find it harder to make healthy choices when stressed. We start eating poorly, consuming sugary or processed food, or dropping regular workouts. And worst of all, we lose sleep. All of these things can wreak havoc on your complexion.
● The wrong skincare products: Harsh scrubs, drying ingredients, or products that work against your skin type can put additional stress on your complexion. The more you use them, the worse the effect.
It's fairly easy to tell when you have stressed skin, but what you really need to know is how to give your complexion the relief it needs.
How Do I Treat Stressed Skin?
If you suffer a prolonged or painful skin condition or experience extreme symptoms like rashes or hives, consult a dermatologist or physician to ensure you don't need prescription-strength medication to alleviate your specific issues. It also helps address the stress's root cause for more permanent relief. Depending on the problem, you may want to:
● Get more sleep.
● Blow off steam with vigorous exercise.
● Practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation or tai chi.
● Seek counseling for stressful situations causing anxiety.
● Decide if you need to make changes to stressful work or personal relationships.
● Make time for enjoyable hobbies, pastimes, or other activities.
● Connect with friends, family members, or mentors to develop a strong support network.
● Remove environmental exposures causing your stressed skin.
If the problem is recent or the symptoms are mild or moderate, try some of these suggestions for targeting specific signs of stressed skin.
Treating Redness
Red splotches on your complexion often come from inflammation, irritation, or dehydration, among other factors. Look for cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and masks with calming and hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, niacinamide, and vitamins C and E. At the same time, you'll want to stay away from alcohol, fragrances, complexion brushes, physical scrubs, and essential oils, all of which will make redness worse.
Dealing with Breakouts
Don't try to banish blemishes with exfoliation. Too much exfoliation strips the skin of moisture, which forces it to respond by producing excess oil. Spot-treating acne is an option, but you'll want to use a gentle cleanser each morning and night to clear away impurities. Don't let your skin dry out by skipping moisturizer! Instead, opt for a serum or lightweight moisturizer and ensure it's noncomedogenic so it won't clog your pores and lead to more breakouts.
Dry Skin? Try This
It's all about replenishing stressed skin to hydrate the parched moisture barrier. A rich cream cleanser or balm can keep your complexion clean without overly drying it. After cleansing, spray on a hydrating face mist before applying serum and moisturizer with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. As your final step, use an emollient face oil to lock in moisture. A gentle, alpha hydroxy acid exfoliator can buff away flaky skin, but you'll want to limit use to once or twice a week.
How to Help Dull Skin
Revive your complexion by restoring a brighter appearance. Natural, plant-powered creams, oils, and serums (applied morning and night) are a top choice for reviving your skin's healthy glow. Clinically tested TFC8®-based skincare products combine over 40 ingredients, including natural amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized naturally-occurring molecules to nourish, protect, and revitalize your skin.
Augustinus Bader: Your Expert in Sustainable Skincare
Stressed skin requires scientifically advanced skincare. More than 30 years of scientific research enhance Augustinus Bader's face care products, which also use revolutionary TFC8® technology engineered to promote long-term skin conditioning. Our comprehensive line of products can alleviate the symptoms of stressed skin and help you look radiant again. Find the products you need at a store near you, or get in touch with our customer service team to discuss your particular needs. With Augustinus Bader, you won't have to worry about your skin, which is one less thing to stress over.
