The effects of stress on the skin

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

How does stress manifest itself on the skin?

The skin is one of the body's organs most affected by stress. It becomes dehydrated, regenerates less effectively, becomes fragile, and can develop imperfections, a dull complexion, or even pronounced wrinkles.

Stress-related skin and facial pimples:

During periods of stress, cortisol levels rise. This hormone helps the body cope with stress by mobilizing energy to nourish the muscles, brain, and heart. However, it also increases sebum production. Excess sebum clogs pores, leading to blackheads and acne breakouts.

Depending on the individual, a breakout of stress-related pimples may occur on the face and/or body. It may be scattered or appear in patches.

Skin aging due to stress:

The stress that affects the epidermis is called oxidative stress. In addition to increasing sebum production, cortisol damages the skin barrier. The skin becomes sensitive, fragile, and more difficult to defend itself against free radicals. This leads to consequences such as premature aging, dryness, the appearance of deep wrinkles, and age spots.

Changes in skin tone caused by stress:

In addition to producing cortisol, the phenomenon of stress releases other hormones such as adrenaline, oxytocin, vasopressin, and ACTH. These have consequences for the body and the skin.

A stressed person may experience vasoconstriction, resulting in a paler or grayish complexion. Alternatively, they may develop vasodilation, causing the face to redden evenly or in patches.

Skin rashes:

By disrupting the skin barrier, stress weakens the hydrolipidic film. Also called the "skin film," it covers the entire surface of the epidermis, contributes to skin elasticity, 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 lost more quickly. The skin then becomes dehydrated and dry, causing itching, tightness, or irritation.

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

A tired eye area:

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

The most affected area is the eye contour. In this area, the skin is very thin and it is easy to observe the blood and lymph that stagnate under the skin, resulting in the appearance of under-eye bags or darker, more pronounced 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 the stress:

To better manage stress and its effects on the body, the ideal approach is to identify its cause and find a solution to eliminate it. In cases of chronic and excessive stress, it is essential to consult a doctor or psychologist.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

To alleviate stress and maintain healthy skin, it is essential to get quality, restorative sleep. The sleep cycle should be sufficient and regular: it is recommended to sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night to allow the body to regenerate and the skin to repair itself deeply.

In parallel, a balanced diet, rich in nutrients and antioxidants, helps to limit the oxidative effects of stress on the skin.

Délicure offers three natural and vegan supplements designed to soothe stress, improve sleep quality and preserve the beauty of the skin:

• Sugar-free anti-stress gummies : formulated with a patented saffron extract, ten times more concentrated in active ingredients than classic saffron, and enriched with vitamin B6, they help regulate mood, reduce stress and promote inner serenity.
• Sleep Treatment : based on soothing plants (linden, passionflower, poppy), vitamins B5 and B6 and melatonin, it promotes falling asleep, improves sleep quality and allows the skin to regenerate naturally during the night.
• Collagen Delicure : a source of marine peptides and patented ingredients like Cartidyss® and Reggenerate™ , this range helps to strengthen skin firmness, density and elasticity, while compensating for the natural loss of collagen accentuated by stress.

Finally, to promote radiant and relaxed skin, it is advisable to limit screen exposure before bedtime and to favour relaxing activities: meditation, reading, deep breathing or gentle stretching help to release tension and sleep better.

In conclusion, stress directly impacts the skin by disrupting sleep, hormones, and cell regeneration. By adopting a holistic routine—restorative sleep, mental relaxation, and targeted nutrient intake—it's possible to maintain healthy, radiant skin. The Saffron B6, Sleep, and Collagen supplements from Délicure work synergistically to soothe stress, promote restful sleep, and restore the skin's natural glow.

Pampering your skin:

Having a good beauty routine can help limit the effects of stress on the skin. If you have breakouts, it's advisable to apply an exfoliant and a mask once a week to unclog pores and reduce sebum production.

For dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, an eye cream should be applied. It should ideally be stored in the refrigerator, as the cold helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes more quickly.

Finally, using a moisturizing cream for the skin is also essential to regenerate it deeply, protect it from external attacks and limit itching or tightness.

Effective products against stress:

One molecule has proven effective in helping manage stress: CBD. Délicure offers a wide range of CBD-containing products. Our organic, broad-spectrum CBD vegetable oils, as well as our CBD candies and gummies— anti-stress treats rich in cannabidiol, vegan, and made in France—are natural and can provide real support for managing daily stress.