Mental Health & Skin Health Connection
Does Mental Health Affect My Skin?
Not only do Mental health disorders take a toll on overall well-being, but they can also have an impact on the body and skin health. For those suffering from acne, eczema, hair loss, hives, psoriasis, rosacea, and skin picking - anxiety can increase these symptoms and cause uncomfortable flare-ups. When one no longer feels in control, the skin can respond.
It’s A Chemical Imbalance
Under emotional stress, the skin recovers more slowly, causing many skin problems to become worse, as well as causing changes to the immune response via inflammation. This in turn affects the mechanism of inflammatory skin diseases, often aggravating them.
Stress causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems. Other chemical responses in your body can cause the skin to be more sensitive and reactive. For example, anxiety and/or stress can aggravate psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Skin
There are many routines and activities that are recommended for helping to balance anxiety and stress. Many of these will also help to balance hormones and chemical functions that may be contributing to skin issues as well. A few examples:
- Schedule time for relaxing activities. Scheduling time for activities that make you feel relaxed may help you reduce stress if you feel overwhelmed by your busy schedule.
- Maintain good lifestyle habits. Continuing to eat a healthy diet as well as getting plenty of sleep will help your body better manage stress.
- Stay active. Exercise can help you lower levels of your stress hormones and give you some time to take your mind off the cause of your stress.
- Talk to others. Talking to a friend, family member, or mental health professional helps many people deal with stress.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol. Persistent use of drugs and alcohol can cause additional problems to your stress.
How to De-Stress Your Skin
In a cruel catch-22, the worse our skin looks, the more it can impact our mental well-being. Just as the routines mentioned above can help to calm and balance from the inside-out, a regimented skincare routine can be the key to calming and balancing what is happening topically on your skin.
Utilizing ingredients ranging from blemish busters to skin barrier-building ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid along with anti-inflammatories can truly help to change your skin challenges, as well as be one less thing to stress about.
One of the most beneficial ingredients to look for when dealing with stress related skin conditions is Probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that naturally live on the surface of the skin, creating a protective veil referred to as the skin’s microbiome. When the microbiome is in balance, it helps offset factors that can negatively influence skin, such as redness, dryness, breakouts, and a weakened surface.
Breakouts and Acne Skin Concerns
- One of the most important things to remember with breakouts, is DO NOT PICK! Picking is often a subconscious act that is triggered by stress and anxiety. Picking can lead to longer healing time as well as scaring and skin discolorations. One of the best ways to help prevent the pickable spots is to not over-dry the skin with harsh ingredients. Look for Salicylic Acid in combination with anti-inflammatories, hydrating and soothing ingredients.
- Which GLOWBIOTICS products can help? (add links to each product below)
Dehydrated & Dull Complexion Skin Concerns
- If your skin has lost it’s glow and looks tired, you need a hydration boost. Research shows that hydrating your body on the inside, helps the outside as well. Drinking more water and eating foods with a high-water content can help, along with 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Look for products that contain Hyaluronic Acid to help hydrate as well as soothe the skin.
- Which GLOWBIOTICS products can help? (add links to each product below)
Rosacea Skin Concerns
- This chronic skin condition can be triggered by many things - alcohol, certain medications, spicy food, environmental factors, and emotional stress. This condition is defined by inflammation and we know that stress causes inflammation in the body and skin. Look for “formulated for sensitive skin” on the label of your skincare products, to help with this condition.
- Which GLOWBIOTICS products can help? (add links to each product below)
Eczema Skin Concerns
- This condition is caused by an overactive immune system, triggered by anything from irritating ingredients to, you guessed it, stress. Eczema is a sign of an unhealthy skin microbiome and can weaken the skin barrier, which can open the door for irritation and dryness.
- Which GLOWBIOTICS products can help? (add links to each product below)
How to Take Back Your Skin
How do you decide where to begin? Visit GLOWBIOTICS Skin Quiz to learn what products will transform your skin and your self-esteem!
For more information on ending the stigma around mental health, please visit Bring Change to Mind, a charity GLOWBIOTICS partners with the end the stigma around mental health. For those of you who are struggling with their mental health or know someone that is, you are not alone and what you’re feeling right now is valid. If you need to talk, please contact Crisis Text Line by texting “BC2M” to 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).