It's 2020, and that means we're all in a state of heightened stress. By now, most of us are aware of signs like muscle tension, shallow breathing, fatigue, brain fog, or headaches, but we often neglect to connect the dots between unwelcome dullness, acne, redness, or sensitivity in the skin and the stress we're feeling.
How stress messes with our skin.
The "Brain-Skin Connection" is real—when the flight-or-fight response is triggered, our bodies take blood flow away from the skin to deal with crucial organs like the heart, brain, and lungs. As a result, a decrease in collagen production occurs, often resulting in dull, tired-looking skin.
Additionally, research shows that healing is slowed when you are under stress, so if you are normally prone to acne, rosacea, psoriasis, or skin irritation, you may notice more flare-ups than you're used to, or they may be more persistent and stubborn.
Of course, coming up with a stress management plan is an important piece of the puzzle. But it is equally important to treat the issue from the outside in.
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