How Your Emotions Affect Your Skin

You might notice that you get breakouts when anxious or stressed. That's because there's a strong connection between the mind and skin. Research indicates that our emotional state can affect how our skin looks and acts.

Of course, this varies from one individual to the next. In some people, stress triggers breakouts, while in others, it's rosacea flare-ups or hives.

The skin-brain connection

In 2014, some researchers examined studies on the "brain-skin connection," and found that stress has direct adverse effects on the skin.

WHEN YOU'RE STRESSED, THE FOLLOWING IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN:

• Your body releases hormones that encourage inflammation and decrease blood flow to the skin.
• Damage of the skin's outer layer, resulting in dull, dry skin
• Nerves in the skin become irritated- this may worsen inflammation or trigger allergic reactions.
• Flare-ups of rosacea, acne, or psoriasis
• Production of moisturizing and plumping lipids declines.
• Delayed skin healing, repair, and restoration

WHAT IS PSYCHODERMATOLOGY?

Many dermatologists report that patients with skin conditions often have a psychological problem that is related to the skin problem.

Mindfulness may help clear up your skin

It's not surprising that many people swear by hypnosis and techniques like relaxation and meditation as the secret to their clear skin.

The nervous system and brain influence the skin's immune cells. In one study, patients who were relaxed before surgery had higher levels of healing immune cells in the skin, enjoyed shorter recoveries, and experienced less pain after the operation.

THE CHRONIC STRESS EFFECT

When you're under chronic stress, you're susceptible to skin diseases. This is because stress disrupts the outer layer, making the skin more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and pollution.

SKIN RESPONSES TO STRESS

Stress exacerbates the following skin conditions:

• Eczema
• Warts 
• Dermatitis
• Itching
• Herpes
• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Hives

These skin conditions often cause negative emotions, such as additional stress, low self-esteem, and embarrassment, making the cycle challenging to break.

When dermatologists suspect a mind-skin connection as relates to skin issues, they may recommend supplementary treatments, such as:

• Mind-body techniques
• Meditation
• Hypnosis
• Anti-depressants
• Focused breathing

How to keep your emotions from ruining your skin

Here are some tips that may help you balance both your emotional state and your skin routine. 

1. AVOID STRESS EATING

When we're stressed, the body releases hormones that can compel us to eat junk food. Fast foods and high-sugar foods will further deplete our skin's defenses against stress-induced changes. 

2. RELAXATION

Try adopting mindfulness-based techniques like meditation, yoga, tai chi into your daily routine. These activities can also help you deal with stressful times better, with fewer complications showing up on your skin. 

3. ADOPT AN "I'M STRESSED" ROUTINE

Stressful times tend to throw us off balance because we push self-care to the back burner. 

Having an "I'm stressed" routine before stress hits will keep you from falling apart when the challenges come. This routine could include:

• Being strict with your bedtime to ensure you're well-rested
• Adding supplements to your diet, like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, a vitamin B complex, vitamin C, lemon balm, and chamomile.
• Scheduling regular 'me time', where you do something you enjoy, like getting a massage or facial, enjoy a hot bath, taking a relaxing walk.
• Reduce your "to-do" list.

Being intentional with self-care during a stressful period helps you ease through it.

Enjoy!

With love,

​The Sole Toscana Beauty Team