We know that feeling good has an impact on maintaining good health both inside and out. When we suffer from stress, our body speaks to us (and sometimes shouts!). Therefore, it is not surprising that stress also manifests itself on the skin and is one of the aspects that can leave the most negative marks on it.
TYPES OF STRESS THAT AFFECT THE SKIN
Several external aggressions can affect and weaken the delicate structure of the skin, such as climatic, mechanical, or chemical types (sun, pollution, blue light from screens, sudden temperature changes, or excessively aggressive or exfoliating cosmetic products). On the other hand, hormonal alterations, pathologies, poor diet, lack of rest, some medications, and psychological tensions also cause havoc.
EPIDERMAL STRESS
Stress has a negative impact on the health of our skin, aggravating existing pathologies such as eczema or psoriasis and even leading to new skin problems. In states of stress, our body – as a defense mechanism – produces cortisol. High levels of this hormone decrease the functional capacity of our immune system, affecting the skin at different levels.
SYMPTOMS OF EPIDERMAL STRESS
MAXIMUM DRYNESS – The excess cortisol caused by stress affects the functionality of the skin barrier, increasing transepidermal water loss and significantly decreasing its ability to retain water.
REDNESS AND IRRITATION – Stress causes redness and is responsible for the skin being more irritated. The explanation is that our body releases more histamine, and this is the hormone responsible for irritation. Severe or prolonged episodes of stress can cause skin pathologies such as rosacea or eczema. And if you already suffer from them, they worsen.
ADULT ACNE – This is due to an imbalance between good and bad bacteria strains. This is one of the causes of adult acne, and it usually appears around the mouth and chin area.
DULL TONE – If your skin has stopped looking luminous, it may be a consequence of stress. Again, cortisol is to blame. In this case, it makes the skin renew more slowly, leading to a more sallow, opaque, and dull tone.
MORE WRINKLES – Stress and worries also take their toll in the form of wrinkles. Indirectly, expressions such as frowning, facial muscle stiffness, and the effect of gravity cause the skin to lose firmness and existing expression lines to become more evident.