Endless hours at work, the constant feeling of pressure in daily life, and uncertainty about the future have been proven to affect our bodies both internally and externally. One of the most significant impacts of stress on our appearance is skin aging.
How does stress age our skin?
It may sound strange, but our mental and emotional state directly affects the aging process of our skin. How does this happen? Psychological stress increases cortisol levels in our body, which can cause oxidative stress in our cells. When this happens, the natural balance between free radicals (harmful chemicals) and antioxidants (protective chemicals) is significantly disrupted. The increased number of free radicals accumulate in the skin, damaging the cells. In fact, free radicals are linked to various serious health problems, from cancer to heart disease. Consequently, when skin cells are damaged, aging accelerates.
What damage does stress cause to the skin?
High levels of stress can accelerate all visible signs of aging. This includes the formation of wrinkles, pigmentation, uneven texture, sagging, and dryness. Intense stress is also associated with flare-ups of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. But the consequences don't stop there, as intense stress is also linked to the dysfunction of the epidermal barrier. This condition can increase moisture loss from the skin, a process known as trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). Water loss naturally leads to dry and dull skin, moving our skin away from the healthy glow we desire. It is noteworthy that in a recent study of 46 women, it took only one stressful event – for example, a difficult job interview – to cause a noticeable reduction in the functionality of the epidermal barrier!
Is the situation irreversible?
Fortunately, the news are good! We can counteract the effects of stress on our skin and maintain our youthful appearance by following some simple steps…
Protect the epidermal barrier: A strong, elastic epidermal barrier is the "shield" to face the stress of daily life. This means it is very important to keep our skin well-hydrated with a new-generation moisturizer.
Don't forget your sunscreen daily: UV radiation is always present, even on cloudy days! It is the most dangerous factor in skin aging, but it can be eliminated by wearing plenty of sunscreen with a high protection factor (30+, with UVA and UVB protection) daily, especially if your skincare routine includes active ingredients.
Reduce stress to look younger! This is certainly the most difficult stage for everyone. However, there are simple, daily practices that, if applied, will bring incomparable benefits to our skin. These include regular physical activity, deep breathing, yoga, avoiding caffeine, and, of course, adequate and quality sleep!
Start today with the first small step and consult the experts at CASTALIA to create your personalized skincare system that will immediately remove the effects of stress from your skin.
And remember that balanced skin needs internal balance and harmony!
Do you have a skin concern?
Send us your message and the CASTALIA advisory team will provide you with the appropriate information, suggesting the best solution.