Skincare Must-Haves To Calm And Nourish

Don’t overlook major changes in your skin condition as it signals that you need to slow things down. Here’s a list of skincare must-haves to calm and nourish.

- Ruth Chew

Acne outbreaks, dull skin and dermatitis are some ways that stress can show on your skin. It can also trigger chronic skin issues like psoriasis where red, scaly patches appear – on the knees, elbows and even the scalp.

Research has proven that the brain-to-body connection is triggered by exposure to both psychological and environmental stress. Under stress, the body produces hormones in the fight or flight response. The increase in cortisol helps to reduce inflammation caused by stress, but it also increases sebum production, which ironically causes inflammation in the skin and affects collagen, leading to dehydration and the formation of lines and wrinkles.

THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PRESSURE

Stress unsettles the skin’s epidermal barrier, affects hydration, and skin’s ability to repair itself. As stress can cause sleepless nights, it upsets the body’s circadian rhythm and messes up the skin routine. Skin is unable to rest when needed, so its cellular regeneration slows down, resulting in dull, dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

It’s no wonder that skincare companies are turning towards helping us combat stress in our every skincare routine. Brands like Chanel have launched skincare with anti-stress properties to overcome cortisol’s effects on the skin. Its latest Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit Regenerating and Repairing Night Concentrate rebuilds skin’s own repair functions as you sleep, and detoxifies skin overnight.