Each day when you look in the mirror, your skin reveals an insight to your health and wellbeing. You may spend a fortune on skin creams, carefully massage oils into your face, and take vitamins to keep your complexion clear. But there’s another huge component of skincare you may not even be aware of – and that’s emotional wellbeing.

Emotional stress can be involved in lots of skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. We know it can trigger a condition in the first place, and is also linked to flare-ups, plus stress slows skin healing, making it harder for your skin to recover from any outbreak.

Very unfairly, the stress-skin cycle is a vicious one. Lots of people find having a skin condition can affect their self-esteem. And if you’re distressed by the way your skin looks, your stress levels will remain high. That prevents full healing and maintains the condition. Luckily there are some simple steps you can take to feel less stressed and look after your skin from the inside-out. 

 HOW DOES STRESS IMPACT YOU?

Stress causes your body to release the stress hormone, cortisol, which triggers your fight or flight response. This makes your heart beat quicker, speeds up your breathing, and makes your muscles tense so that you’re able to respond quickly. If your stress levels stay elevated for too long it has an impact on your health.

Cortisol affects your immune system, so when it comes to your skin it can cause problems, it disrupts your skin’s normal balance, and slows down its healing process. Long-term stress can result in other physical symptoms like headaches and trouble sleeping, and also affects your mental health and can cause depression and anxiety. All of this can exacerbate any skin problems you’re experiencing.

Stressed tired skin soon becomes sensitive but a combination of strategies can help to calm and nourish and restore your skin. Skin provides a barrier between the inside of our body and our external environment. A healthy skin barrier means your skin is, even toned and smooth without inflammation or redness

Tips for Treating and Soothing Stressed Out Skin

The good thing about your skin is how visible it is; if there’s something affecting you, it won’t take very long to spot it. When you’re feeling stressed, anxious or worried, it’s likely to manifest outwardly on your skin.

1. Back to Basics

You can use a general rule of thumb, bring your skincare routine back to basics, and eliminate any products with excess fragrance, colors or dyes. In times of stress, products can sometimes begin to irritate your skin. Stick to a minimal routine— cleansing, serum, and moisturizing.

2. Soothing Ingredients Will Be Your Best Friend

It’s important to incorporate products that are meant to soothe, calm and strengthen your skin barrier. Look out for botanical ingredients like Aloe Vera, Collagen, Jojoba oil, Rosehip oi, Avocado, or Honey.

3. Boost with Vitamin C

If your skin doesn’t have any major skin concern, but you’re feeling like it’s looking dull and lackluster, add a Vitamin C serum into your routine. It helps to brighten your complexion, fade hyperpigmentation, and reduce fine lines.

4. Use A Gentle Facial Cleanser

Stick to a twice-daily skin cleansing session, and use the gentlest, mildest products you can find that don’t make you react. These types of cleansers are usually made from plant oils and from natural skin care lines. Consider using Raybae Beauty Refreshing Rosehip Cleanser that is made from natural ingredients and is gentle on all skin types!

There’s no reason to wash more often than this unless you have a specific concern (makeup melting off in the heat, for example). Once you’ve washed, use a soft microfiber towel to gently blot your skin dry. Don’t scrub, rub, or roughly dry your face with thicker towels, as you risk tiny tears and excessive dryness.

5. Hydrate Your Skin

When you’re stressed and your skin is suffering it’s important to focus on keeping it hydrated. To start with, make sure that you’re drinking enough water each day — it’s recommended to drink around two liters of water per day, which might seem like a lot, but it includes all drinks such as tea or coffee as well,

Hydrating your skin helps minimize the irritation one of the best choices to hydrate problem skin when you’re stressed is hyaluronic acid serum. It works by attracting moisture from the external environment to boost your skin’s hydration, which helps reduce redness and skin irritation. It’s also less likely to block your pores than heavy moisturizers.

6. Don’t Pick Your Skin

As we mentioned, stressed skin could easily exacerbate common complexion issues. If you find that stress has made blemishes even worse, you may be tempted to pick at your face. However, that’s not the best idea. Skin picking can cause scabbing, scarring, and discoloration to become a reality. Instead of picking at your face, give your routine time to work its magic. Believe me, your complexion will thank you.

7. Tackling Breakouts

Once you start to break out it often causes more stress, which only makes the problem worse. So, it’s important to know the best way to tackle spots when you’re stressed.

Avoid over-exfoliating your skin, using harsh products, or washing your face too frequently. Even when your skin feels oily it’s important not to dry it out, your body will overcompensate and end up producing more oil. And don’t be tempted to pick at any spots — making them worse and you could end up with scars.

Try to use lighter products that are oil-free and suitable for sensitive skin. And, when possible, try not to wear heavy makeup that can further clog your pores. Use a gentle face wash or cleanser twice a day and look for acne treatments that contain some of the key ingredients for tackling blemishes such as Raybae’s Refreshing Rosehip Cleanser.

 8. Use A Soothing Face Mask

When you look and feel stressed, it’s a sign that you need to take a moment for yourself. This is where a pampering session with a soothing face mask can save the day. Consider using a collagen based mask or treatment to help boost your skins collagen production which will provide your face with hydration, and boost your skin cells healing.

9. Improve Your Diet and Exercise

When you’re stressed-out healthy eating and exercise often get neglected. But it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re eating the right things and looking after your body. Try to include lots of fruit and vegetables in your diet instead of unhealthy snacks. Protein, carbohydrates, and antioxidant-rich foods like green leafy vegetables are all going to help boost your immune system and improve your skin.

Working out is also a great way to reduce your stress levels — it produces endorphins, which make you feel more positive. It also gives you something else to focus on and can improve your mental health and your sleeping, both of which will benefit your skin.

10. Take Time to Relax and De-Stress

It’s not news that life can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean you should allow it to take control. That’s why it’s essential to de-stress as much as you can. There are plenty of ways you can manage stress. You can indulge in a self-care day, get some alone time, or engage in activities you enjoy. Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, and look after your skin with the right products to minimize the effects of stress.

11. Get Your Beauty Sleep

Last but certainly not least, you don’t want to skip out on getting beauty sleep. As we mentioned, sleep gives your body time to recharge and repair itself. Not to mention, it’s also a smart way to help de-stress. So, take the time to get some much-needed shut-eye. Try to have a regular routine, going to bed and getting up at the same times each day, and take half an hour to unwind before bed.