Considering the fact you haven’t worn makeup in weeks, the countless hours you’ve dedicated to your skincare routine and – not to mention – the drop in air pollution, you’d think your skin would be looking better than ever. So, why are you still breaking out? The answer is probably stress (unsurprising really, there is a literal global pandemic after all). We spoke to Tracey Wilmot, Director of Education at Murad about how stress affects the skin and what we can do about it.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 What happens to the skin when we're stressed?
“Stress isn’t just something we feel, we can actually see it on our skin,” Tracey says, “the stress hormone, cortisol, affects our circulation (which leads to dark circles) and compromises the skin’s natural barrier meaning it’s harder for us to hold in moisture”. This can lead to (brace yourself) excessive dryness – flakiness even – breakouts, blemishes, inflammation, redness and increased sensitivity.
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2 What can we do to help?
Stress affects circulation and the lymphatic system so Tracey recommends starting your day with a facial massage to help rid the lymph nodes of toxins. “For a super quick massage routine, start at the bottom of your cheeks brushing upwards to lift the skin and promote circulation. Working outwards, pinch your finger and thumb around the jaw bone (from your chin, outwards) and finish with upwards drainage movements across the forehead with the back of your thumb”.
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3 What products should we use?
Stressed-out skin tends to be dry – we lose more moisturise when we're stressed – so making sure you hydrate properly is key. According to Tracey, this is especially important at night, “we lose three times as much water from our skin during the night than we do in the daytime” she explains. Try doing an overnight hydration mask once or twice a week. If you’re breaking out, a clay mask will help.
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4 How can we destress?
“Try a stress-relief breathing exercise as the very last thing you do before you go to sleep,” Tracey suggests “you can incorporate night products (containing calming scents like lavender)”. Take a couple of pumps in your hands, rub them together and apply all over the face, neck and hands. Cup your hands over your face and take a deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Repeat this a few times to help you de-stress before sleep.
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FAQs
Why does your skin break out even if you stop wearing makeup?
Stress can cause breakouts even if you are not wearing any makeup. High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, affect circulation and compromise your skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness, blemishes and increased sensitivity.
How does stress affect your skin’s appearance?
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which impacts circulation and the skin’s ability to retain moisture. This can result in dark circles, excessive dryness, flakiness, sensitivity, inflammation, redness and more frequent breakouts.
What skincare routine helps stressed or dry skin?
Hydrating thoroughly is essential because stressed skin loses more moisture. At night, you lose three times as much water from your skin than during the day, so using an overnight hydration mask once or twice a week can help. If you are experiencing breakouts, a clay mask may be beneficial.
How can you use facial massage to help stressed skin?
Start your day with a quick facial massage to support circulation and lymphatic drainage. Begin at the bottom of your cheeks, brush upwards, pinch along the jawbone from chin outward and finish with upward drainage movements on the forehead to promote healthy skin.
What is a simple bedtime routine to help you de-stress and care for your skin?
Before sleep, use a stress-relief breathing exercise with night products containing calming scents like lavender. Rub a few pumps into your hands, apply to your face, neck and hands, then cup your hands over your face and breathe deeply through the nose and out through the mouth several times.