Recent research has confirmed skin both as an immediate stress perceiver and as a target of stress responses. As the largest organ of the body, skin plays important barrier and immune functions, maintaining homeostasis between external environment and internal tissues. Skin and its appendages are not only targets of key stress mediators, they are also a local source for these factors which induce various immune and inflammation responses.
How Stress impacts your Skin
There are two different types of stress: acute stress and chronic stress. A quick surge of stress can be a good thing. It may heighten your senses, enhance mental clarity and help create collagen to facilitate wound repair. It’s there and it’s gone. It’s the chronic, continuing stress, the kind that every sentient being is likely experiencing right now, that takes a toll on the skin.
Much of the skin-psyche connection comes down to the overproduction of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and its effect on the skin barrier. The barrier traps moisture in and keeps allergens, irritants and pollutants out. It effectively does the job of most skin-care products on the market, sans products, and needs three things in order to thrive: oil, water and the microbiome. Cortisol depletes them all.
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During times of stress, cortisol slows the production of beneficial oils. We get dry, rough and much more irritated because those healthy oils act as a protective layer for us. Without adequate lipids to seal in hydration, the skin starts to “leak” water in a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). At the same time, cortisol stimulates the overproduction of sebum, the oil that is implicated in acne. So for many of us, our skin seems more oily when we’re under stress, and it’s more acne prone.
Stress prompts the body to produce internal free radicals, as well. You can think of free radicals like little missiles, in that they target cells for destruction and cause oxidative stress. When free radicals target DNA, it leads to skin cancer. When free radicals target elastin and collagen, it leads to fine lines and wrinkles. When free radicals target lipids, it leads to dehydration and skin barrier damage and acne. Chronic exposure to cortisol also inhibits the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen. These are what keep the skin plump and youthful. When you can’t make enough, the skin gets thinner.
Stress and Acne
According to a 2017 research review in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, "a self-administered, dermatologist-validated questionnaire of 3,305 women ages 25 to 40 years in France" revealed adult-onset acne was reported by 41 percent of the women, and that "stress was listed as a precipitating factor for acne in half of the women surveyed.
Emotional stress triggers an increased release of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is key in causing stress acne breakouts. When cortisol levels rise, they disrupt levels of hormones that regulate sebum balance and result in clogged pores and development of acne. More oil production means more clogged pores, and more clogged pores mean more breakouts. Considering the involvement of cortisol, when we talk about stress acne, we’re talking about hormonal acne in a way as well. It’s not the same as acne that will show up around the start of your menstrual cycle, but it is acne that’s appearing because of a response to an alteration of your regularly scheduled hormonal pattern. When you’re under an increased amount of stress, this can trigger hormonal changes that simply worsen your acne.
Research shows a link between exposure to nature and stress reduction. Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity. Time in Nature significantly reduces your cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Nature also boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness.
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