Stress and Your Skin

So here you are trying to navigate the new “normal.”  Still not sure about anything.  You’re doing your part: social distancing, wearing a mask, and staying safely at home when you can. You’re trying to stick with a routine, so things don’t seem so out-of-sorts. Still your world has been turned on its head. The next thing you know your skin is doing something it has never done.  You have noticed it was getting a little red or felt itchy over the last few days. 

BOOM! 

Full blown, dry, red, itchy, almost swollen feeling.  You wonder, “Where did that come from?”

STRESS is likely the culprit.  I have seen more of this in the last few months than ever before.  The products you have been using are not working.  But they have always been fine. Stress is as hard on the body as a foreign invader, and the skin responds in like.  This time, when things are upside down, has revealed what I’ve known for a long time: Just how heavily skin is affected by internal things. Many, if not most, of our skin issues come from the inside. Common skin conditions such as Acne, Rosacea, and Eczema are heavily affected by our internal environment. In recent months, I have had to consult with many of my clients to change products completely during this stressful time.  We need to protect the barrier and give it soothing, healing products to help repair the skin until it heals. I am starting people off with an oil cleanser so as not to strip the skin, while still removing toxins and providing support without compromising the skin barrier. I’m often recommending the oil cleansers from Roccoco Botanicals or the Stone Crop Oil Cleanser from Eminence.  Depending on your skin type one of these is a great choice.  Adding a healing serum is critical as well.  Soon your skin will be feeling better and looking great. 

Of course, since the stress comes from the inside, it’s important to reduce it as much as possible. Some really great ways to reduce that stress are: get outside and soak up some vitamin D, take a nice walk, exercise in a way that makes you happy, drink plenty of water (50-70% of your body weight in oz.). Make sure you are sleeping and getting the rest you need.  This is a difficult time for many, seek the help you need, including professional counseling, as you are not alone. As always, I am happy to help you with your skincare concerns.