How Does Stress Affect Your Skin? (And Stress Skin Treatments)

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Bad skin from stress is one of the first signs you’re overwhelmed. You might notice that your skin feels itchy, looks red, or you’re experiencing an unusual number of breakouts. In this article, we cover stress causes, how stress affects the skin and skin treatments for stress.

What causes stress?

Stress can be caused by one big event or lots of small things that have built up over time. Below are the most common causes of stress:

Being overworked
Grief
Moving house
Relationship breakups
Finances
Looking after a family
Exams
Not enjoying your job or day-to-day life
Getting married

What does stress do to the skin?

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Stress causes overproduction of the hormone cortisol, which contributes to distressed skin. But what exactly do we mean by that? Read on for how stress affects your skin.

Breaking out due to stress (acne-related stress)

Many people experience a breakout due to stress. This is known as dermatitis due to stress when the skin becomes swollen and irritated, inflaming the skin cells. Stress pimples on your face and body can impact your confidence and make feelings of anxiety or worry even worse.

A stress breakout on the face and body usually appears as angry-red, under-the-skin spots known as cystic acne. However, you may also see an increase in blackheads and whiteheads.

Dry skin due to stress

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Dry skin and stress typically come hand-in-hand because inflammation disrupts the derma barrier. When your barrier is compromised, it struggles to retain moisture, resulting in dry skin from stress, which appears tight and flakey.

Excema caused by stress

Excema is when the skin becomes dry, cracked, itchy and red. It’s most commonly found on the hands, but you can also get eczema flare-ups from stress on your face and body.

Rosacea flare-ups because of stress

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Rosacea causes skin to appear red and flushed over a long period of time. Rosacea and stress are closely linked because the rise in cortisol causes swollen skin cells, increasing the redness.

May worsen psoriasis due to stress

Psoriasis is a skin condition that creates itchy, crusty patches and can be very painful. Stress-related psoriasis happens when stress hormones aggravate the skin and trigger a psoriasis flare-up.

Stress relief skincare

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There are different ways to treat stress breakouts, depending on your skin's concern. We’ve collated the best skincare treatments for stress so you can choose what’s best for you.

Use soothing skincare products

Stress can make skin feel more sensitive than usual, so opt for skincare formulated for reactive skin. MooGoo Sensitive Skin Balm contains aloe vera, chamomile flower and gotu kola leaf extract to reduce redness and soothe swelling.

Wash away stress with skincare in the shower

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A warm shower is ideal for washing away the intensities of the day and resetting your skin. However, a lot of shower gels contain harsh ingredients that strip the skin of its natural oils and can heighten dry, inflamed skin from stress.

MooGoo Milk Wash softly cleanses skin with a creamy coconut-derived cleanser while conditioning your complexion for silky skin. Follow up with a Full Cream Moisturiser to lock in moisture and reduce stress-related skin issues.

Stay on top of dry skin caused by stress

Rather than waiting for your skin to become dry from stress, treat it early on with a deeply nourishing cream. MooGoo Skin Milk Udder Cream is rich in sweet almond oil and olive oil, which replace the lipids in your skin barrier and deeply condition your skin.

Calm skin-condition flare-ups due to stress

If you have mild eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis, use a skincare product that soothes, hydrates, and heals. Eczema Cream With Ceramides works to restore your natural skin barrier and moisturise inflamed skin. Apply the cream to areas affected by skin conditions, and treat the rest of your body with a Full Cream Moisturiser to keep it conditioned and soft.

Decrease stress with a self-care skincare routine

Your skincare routine is the perfect time to take a breath and relax. Put on soft music and gently hydrate and moisturise to calm stressed-out skin. Make sure to work products gently into your skin rather than hurriedly scrubbing your face, which can make your skin worse.

How to prevent a stress breakout

The best way to recover bad skin from stress is to use stress-preventative methods. Here are the best treatments for stress that you can do regularly:

Meditate - Meditation involves sitting quietly and concentrating on your breathing. It helps you stop focusing on things that are worrying you and instead keep your mind in the present.
Exercise - Moving your body with things like weight training, walking, yoga, or aerobic exercise can re-regulate an unbalanced nervous system caused by stress.
Journalling - Getting things out of your head and onto paper can help you put life into perspective and organise your thoughts.
Socialise - Connecting with others is an easy remedy for feeling more content, calm, and happy. It’s also an opportunity to discuss your problems and receive empathy and comfort from family and friends.
Ask for support - You don’t have to do everything alone. Going to therapy or letting your loved ones or work colleagues know you need support can reduce stress.
Keep up your skincare routine - It’s easy to neglect yourself when things get hectic. Try to keep up with a skincare routine to prevent flare-ups.
Eat stress-reducing foods - Dark leafy greens, fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils help lower skin inflammation caused by stress.
Get plenty of sleep - Focusing on sleep is highly effective at reducing a stress breakout.

Heal your stress-affected skin with Grape Tree

Treat your stress breakout with our soothing stress-relief skincare products, containing calming and natural ingredients. Ensure you also engage in stress-prevention techniques like meditation, whole foods and exercise and keep up your skincare routine. Nurture your complexion and help stressed skin heal with Grape Tree.

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