The skin is the largest organ in the body and its functioning can be compromised by anxiety and restlessness; know how to calm her down
Stress manifests itself in subtle ways: poor sleep, irritability, and even intestinal problems. If you’ve noticed that your skin is dry, red, or irritated, you may be suffering from another form of stress in disguise.
“The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is subject to the same effects of stress as other organ systems. Excessive or prolonged stress can affect the functioning of skin cells or the way the immune system interacts with the skin,” says the dermatologist. Camp Brendan. In other words, when you feel anxious and restless, your skin may reflect those feelings.
Addressing skin stress is a task that requires internal and external work. Below, Camp and dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose highlight signs of stress in your skin and offer their best tips for relaxing it.
Signs of stressed skin
According to Murphy-Rose, the main culprit behind stressed skin is a hormone called cortisol. While the cortisol response is a vital survival reaction, unnecessary increases in this hormone due to work stressors, sleep loss, or personal issues can cause a negative domino effect on the body.
1. Acne-prone/oily skin
“Among its many functions, cortisol increases oil production from the sebaceous glands, which makes acne worse,” explains Murphy-Rose. So if you notice more blackheads and pimples during busy work weeks or after long days of travel, know that all that stress could be the reason.
2. Accelerated signs of aging
Sometimes stress makes your skin look older than its biological age. “Signs of prolonged stress can contribute to premature skin aging in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging,” says Camp.
3. Redness, scaling, hives and itching
When faced with tight deadlines at the office, you may notice redness or flaking. “Redness occurs when the superficial vessels of the dermis dilate, giving the skin a pink or red hue,” says Camp. He and Murphy-Rose agree that this is yet another case of the body projecting feelings onto the skin, so keep your eyes peeled.
4. Worsening of rosacea or psoriasis attacks
People with rosacea or psoriasis sometimes find that their symptoms worsen during periods of intense pressure at work or home. “High levels of cortisol also cause dysregulation of the immune system, triggering inflammatory responses in the skin that worsen psoriasis and eczema, among many other problems. Increased inflammation causes redness, flaking, and itching,” explains Murphy-Rose .
5. Cold sores
Cold sores, painful blisters that appear on the lips and mouth, also tend to appear during tumultuous times.
How to soothe stressed skin
Bottom line: Your body has many ways of telling you that you need to slow down and decompress. So how can you make sure you’re listening? Camp and Murphy-Rose share tips on how to de-stress from the inside out.
1. Prioritize your mental well-being
While there are many creams and topical products you can use to soothe your skin, relieving stress from the body’s largest organ actually starts with mental health care. “In addition to treating problems with medications, I often explain to my patients the importance of changing certain aspects of their lifestyle to reduce stress levels and achieve the best outcome,” says Murphy-Rose.
He advises you to prioritize everything that calms you. For example, perhaps you enjoy reading the newspaper or having a leisurely coffee with a friend. Think about what might work as a relaxation pill for you and take it.
2. Follow a balanced diet
Since diet is linked to skin health, eating well-balanced meals also helps your skin regain balance. Don’t forget to eat lean proteins, healthy fats, and a good mix of fruits and vegetables.
3. Think carefully when choosing skin care
When your skin is freaking out, cutting back on product use can also help a lot. “Changing your skincare routine is an essential step to giving your skin a break and relaxing it,” says Camp. “A skincare routine with too many products is more likely to cause irritation in the form of contact dermatitis, dryness, redness, acne formation, burning or burning.”
He recommends products that contain niacinamide, a vitamin B complex that soothes the skin; ceramides (super-hydrating lipids that protect the skin from the environment); and green tea extract. “Green tea extract and other antioxidants help neutralize the effects of free radicals on the skin. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cellular structures such as DNA, lipids and proteins,” he explains.
4. Prioritize sleep and exercise
“Making lifestyle changes that reduce stress levels can significantly improve skin health and manage stress-related skin problems,” says Murphy-Rose. Getting enough sleep and exercise helps keep stress levels in check, so do your best to relax at night and move during the day.
5. Seek treatment for acne and other skin problems
Even if you’re doing everything you can to relax and take care of your mind, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist if problems persist. For example, if you continue to notice acne breakouts or patches of psoriasis, it’s probably time to ask your doctor what you can do to treat these problems once and for all. But try to meditate a little first, okay?
c.2024 Fortune Media IP Limited Distributed by The New York Times Licensing Group
/ TRANSLATION BY RENATO PRELORENTZOU
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
