13 Products to De-stress Stressed Out Skin
If the emotional turbulence of the last 12 months has taken its toll on your skin, you’re not alone. Stress causes skin disease and skin disease causes stress. Throw in a global pandemic, furlough, homeschooling and a future of uncertainty, and it’s not really surprising that our skin isn’t looking it’s best.
And while the link between psychological stress and skin isn’t a new one, how many of you were aware that your heighten anxiety could also be the reason behind your increased wrinkles, pigmentation and dullness?
When we are feeling highly anxious or emotionally distressed, our brain sends signal to our adrenal glands telling them to the release of the stress hormone, cortisol. Prepping our body for danger, cortisol works by curbing functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation, such as the digestive and/or immune system. Making the skin worse at defending itself, delaying skin healing and disrupting the skin’s natural barrier, it is this curbing of our immune response that can result in array of skin issues from psoriasis and rosacea, to accelerated ageing and acne.
So what can we do if we are experiencing stress induced skin issues? For long lasting results, a cream can only do so much. Instead, we really want to be taking multi-faceted approach, especially if you want the issues to stop reoccurring.
Starting with diet. Are there any areas that could do with improving? Reducing your caffeine, alcohol and sugar intake, while increasing your water consumption is not only key to keeping your skin looking plump and hydrated but it is essential for preventing over stimulation of your nervous system and keeping anxiety at bay. And don’t skimp on those omega rich fats and antioxidant rich greens, vital for cellular repair and renewal.
If you don’t yet have one, consider starting a regular exercise routine. Exercise, kickstarts the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers cortisol levels and calms us down. Alongside a consistent exercise regime, we highly suggest introducing some kind of mindfulness mediation into your day. Known to reset and induce positive emotions, mindfulness mediation has been proven to have a significant effect on calming the nervous system. There are a number of applications such a Head Space that can help you on your mindfulness journey.
Next up, sleep. Never, never underestimate the power of a good nights sleep. Aiming for at least eight hours a night will allow the skin time to repair itself while helping to stabilise your emotions and allow you to face the day in a more positive mind set.
Last, but not least, it’s skincare. Using the correct skincare products for your skincare needs, really can make all the difference. At times of stress you want to avoid using too many aggressors such as strong AHA’s and instead focus on skin barrier-building ceramides, anti-inflammatory’s and hydrators, that will work to de-stress, calm and bolster the skin.
Look for ingredients such a hyaluronic acid, probiotics and peptides, while avoiding strong fragrance and parabens.. If you are struggling with acne prone skin, avoid the temptation to dry it out. This will only have a detrimental effect further aggravating the skin, instead look for calming and healing ingredients such as nicinamide and salicylic acid.
To aide you through your de-stressing skincare regime, we have selected some of our favourite serums, creams, cleansers and mask to calm, soothes and rebuild your skin.
THE SERUMS
INSTITUT ESTHEDERM
Specifically created for times of stress, Institut Esthederm Intensive Spirulina Anti-Fatigue Face Serum, works to nourish the skin and revitalises the skin by providing all the essential elements for cellular metabolism including trace elements, mineral salts and vitamins.
OSKIA LONDON
A beauty award winner, Oskia’s Intense Biomimetic Hydration contains calming and comforting blend of hyaluronic acid, electrolytes, amino acids and oat ceramides to replenish vital nutrients and supports the skin's mantle and barrier function.
WILDSMITH
Another beauty award winner, Wildsmith’s advanced formula with copper peptides and pure hyaluronic acid, activates cell metabolism, rapidly restructuring and firming the skin, whilst delivering strong antioxidant protection.
THE CREAMS
HONEST BEAUTY
Hydrogel Cream £25
A hyaluronic acid-powered powerhouse, utilising not one but two different types of hyaluronic acid, Honest Beauty’s cult Hydrogel Cream works as a humectant, pulling moisture into the skin and locking it there, to leave skin looking dewy, plump and smooth.
IRENE FORTE
Designed to purify and hydrate skin, this natural and organic cream works to restores the skin's equilibrium. With a base of lavender and rosemary waters infused with panthenol b5, hyaluronic acid, olive oil and soy fractions skin is hydrated, replenished, nourished and protected.
VICTORIA BECKHAM BY Augustinus Bader
Harnessing the power of Professor Agustinus Bader’s industry-renowned technology, this supercharged Priming Moisturiser infused with micro-algae extract and black tea ferment, creates an optimal environment for your skin’s natural process of repair and renewal.
Packed with with fine plant-based oils including Cornish rosehip and collagen-boosting camellia, Ma Naturals’ Intensive Beauty Balm deeply soothes and nourishes, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated all day long.
THE CLEANSERS
EDE
Ede’s ultra-gentle oil-to-milk formula, featuring vitamin and fatty acid rich organ plant oils, helps to balance the skin and reduce redness whilst dissolving surface oils like makeup, spf, dirt and pollution.
L’ABU SKIN
With a soothing blend of oat milk and vitamin c, this creamy cleanser lightly wipes away daily grime and excess makeup without stripping the skin of its natural PH balance.
KYUSHI
Cleansing Oil £58.
Awarded ‘Best Cleansing Oil 2021’ at the Beauty Shortlist Awards, this carefully curated blend of organic, high performing botanical oils, dissolve daily dirt, pollution and makeup; including eye makeup, with out disrupting your skins natural barrier.
THE MASKS
AURELIA
Developed to soothe irritation and blemishes while also moisturising and nourishing the skin, Aurelia’s 100% botanical overnight mask contains a fusion of plant-based and probiotics extracts, to deliver deep hydration while restoring dry and stressed out skin.
ENVIRON
This multi-functional masque, formulated with Japanese charcoal alongside innovative botanicals, absorbs pollutant impurities to refresh and purify stressed out skin. Never more essential than during this climate of mask wearing and electronic blue light exposure.
111 SKIN
Y Theorum Bio Cellulose Facial Mask £85 for 5
111 Skin’s healing treatment mask, inspired from wound-healing processes and featuring a blend of botanical and synthetic actives, has been design soothe, support and strengthen stressed skin for a plumper, brighter and calmer complexion.
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