The effects of stress on the skin

Stress is a defense mechanism that is triggered during a destabilizing or dangerous situation. When it is prolonged or chronic, its chemical reactions can severely harm the body.

How does stress manifest on the skin?

The skin is one of the organs of the body most affected by stress. It becomes dehydrated, regenerates less well, becomes fragile and can reveal imperfections, a dull complexion or even marked wrinkles.

 

Stress pimples on the skin and face:

In a state of stress, cortisol levels increase. This is a hormone that helps the body cope with stress by mobilizing energy to nourish the muscles, brain, and heart. However, it increases the secretion of sebum. Excess sebum clogs the pores of the skin, promoting the appearance of blackheads or acne pimples.

Depending on the person, a stress pimple outbreak occurs on the skin of the face, and/or also on the body. It can be scattered or appear in the form of plaques.

Skin aging due to stress:

 Stress affecting the epidermis is called oxidative stress. In addition to increasing sebum secretion, cortisol damages the skin barrier. The skin becomes sensitive, fragile and has more difficulty coping with free radicals. This leads to consequences on the skin such as skin aging, drying, the appearance of hollow wrinkles or pigment spots.

 

Changes in skin tone caused by stress:

 In addition to producing cortisol, the phenomenon of stress releases other hormones which are adrenaline, oxytocin, vasopressin or ACTH. They have consequences on the body and on the skin.

A stressed person may experience vasoconstriction, their complexion becomes paler or grayer. Or they may develop vasodilation, their face becomes uniformly or patchily red.

Skin rashes:

 By unbalancing the skin barrier, stress weakens the hydrolipidic film. Also called the "skin film", it covers the entire surface of the epidermis, contributes to the suppleness of the skin and forms a protective barrier against bacteria and fungi.

Less protected against external attacks, the skin becomes drier and more easily damaged.

When this skin film is damaged, the water stored in the epidermis is evacuated more quickly. The skin then becomes dehydrated and dry, which causes itching, tightness or irritation.

Stress can also cause flare-ups and rashes in people with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

A tired eye contour:

 Stress hormones can cause blood vessels to dilate or narrow, which impairs blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

The most affected area is the eye contour. In this area, the skin is very thin and we can easily observe the blood and lymph stagnating under the skin with the appearance of bags under the eyes or darker and more marked dark circles.

To soothe and preserve the beauty of your skin, there are a few tips to incorporate into your daily routine.

What can be done to reduce the effects of stress on the skin?

 

Identify the cause of stress:

To better manage stress and its consequences on the body, the ideal is to identify its cause and find a solution to make it disappear. In the case of chronic and too intense stress, it is imperative to consult the advice of a doctor or psychologist.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle:

To relieve stress, having quality and restorative sleep is essential. The sleep cycle must be sufficient and regular, it is recommended to sleep for a duration of 7h and 9h to sufficiently relax the body and be in good shape the next day.

At the same time, you need to ensure you have a healthy, balanced diet rich in nutrients.

Délicure offers three cures of gummies, vegan and natural, targeted to fight against stress, have quality sleep and maintain beautiful skin:

• The first is called “Stress”, it is rich in plants with effects to limit anxiety (rhodiola, saffron and holy basil), in vitamin B6 and in amino acid (GABA).
• Made from plants (lime blossom, passion flower, poppy), vitamins (B5 and B6) and melatonin (sleep hormone), the “Sleep” range helps to facilitate falling asleep and contributes to restful sleep.
• “Hair” is a treatment that helps maintain healthy hair, nails and skin. It is composed of blueberry, vitamins (B6, B8, B9, B12 and E) and minerals (selenium and zinc).

Finally, you need to limit exposure to screens (telephone, computer, television) and replace them with meditation or sports activities to clear your mind, take a step back, and relax your body and mind.

Pamper your skin: 

Having a good beauty routine can help limit the manifestations of stress on the skin. In case of pimples, it is advisable to apply an exfoliant and a mask once a week to unclog pores and reduce sebum production.

For dark circles and bags under the eyes, you should apply an eye contour. It should preferably be stored in the refrigerator because the cold decongests the eyes more quickly.

Finally, using a skin moisturizer is also essential to regenerate the skin in depth, protect it from external attacks and limit itching or tightness.

 

Effective products against stress:

A molecule is effective for its help in stress management: CBD, délicure offers a wide range of products containing CBD. Our CBD oils as well as our CBD candies and our CBD gummies vegan, made in France and natural can provide real support for stress management on a daily basis.