Are You Stressed? Your Skin Can Show It
Just as having an ~unsightly pimple~ on a special occasion can impact your confidence, the level of stress you are experiencing can impact the health and look of your skin.
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
Within a graduating class of 215 medical students, 67% of the class believed that stress contributed to worsened acne. But this correlation doesn’t end after university. A surveyed 74% of acne patients and their relatives also hold the belief that anxiety exaggerated their acne!
The reason why feeling stressed leads to abrasive acne is due to a hormone called cortisol which increases as your stress level decreases. The increased level of cortisol then causes your skin glands to overproduce sebum (oil) which leads to clogged pores aka acne breakouts. Although like any old acne breakout, you will have reactive, sensitive, and inflamed skin, you might notice that stress acne will differ from your usual acne, with breakouts occurring in the oilier areas of your face.
Here are our recommended products for stress-induced acne and the ingredients within to know!
Hydro-power Brightening Cleanser (HK$360)
The rosehip oil moisturizes while guarding the skin against dehydration and inflammation caused by dryness, rosacea or eczema. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory lavender oil is a natural and effective ingredient that reduces redness and soothes both eczema and dry skin.
Miracle Glow Facial Oil (HK$820)
Squalane is a natural and anti-inflammatory emollient that reduces any redness from rosacea or acne while softening rough and bumpy skin. Jojoba oil doubles up on squalane, also acting as a reliever of dry skin and stabilizer of acne, eczema or rosacea redness.
Hydro-rescuing Repair Mask (HK$820)
Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Cucumber and Lavender Extract (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Action) all act as one cohesive blend to sooth and reduce inflammation in the skin while lessening redness cause by eczema and dryness.
Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash
Our skin health and mental health are two interrelated components of our wellbeing that are affected by one another. At the end of the day, skincare will make a significant impact, but it is equally as important to regulating stress and mental health in other ways. Incorporate mindfulness, exercise, gratitude, and time for yourself, not to hustle or reach your goals, but to just be present and in the moment.
Written by Joy Chan
