Exploring the Anti-stress Skincare Trend
April 27, 2021
What’s behind the rise in skincare problems? Consumers and experts alike blame a common culprit: stress.
“There are extensive consequences associated with feeling stressed out. Beyond the negative physical and emotional impacts that stress can have on your body, it can also create some serious havoc for your skin. Medical experts have long suggested that feelings of continued and intense stress can result in premature signs of skin aging, inflammation, and an increase in acne,” explains Lauren Rearick in Nylon.
To help combat the negative impact of stress on skin, many consumers are turning to trending anti-stress skincare, or products designed to soothe and nourish tired, irritated skin.
What are the signs of stressed out skin?
While definitions of “stressed out” skin may vary, there are several common indicators of tired, irritated skin. A few of the top concerns include:
- Acne
- Dry skin, flaking, abrasions
- Irritation
- Redness
- Uneven skin tone
The link between these conditions? The excess production of cortisol, the stress hormone. During times of stress, cortisol can slow the production of beneficial oils the skin barrier needs to look and function best.
“The root of the issue is the hormone cortisol that spikes whenever we’re stressed, and this can cause breakouts, dryness, and inflammation. When you become stressed, you’ll soon see the effects of it on your skin. And once your complexion isn’t looking its best, you might feel even more anxieties, kick-starting a vicious cycle, points out Chicago dermatologist Emily Arch, M.D.,” according to Melanie Rud in Better Homes and Gardens.
Additionally, many consumers with stressed out skin complain about more noticeable, visible signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, bags under the eyes, and sagging.
What is anti-stress skincare?
Anti-stress skincare products are formulations designed to nourish the skin and to help reduce the visible signs of stress.
Additionally, many anti-stress skincare products aim to help boost the health of the skin barrier, provide much needed hydration, and tame inflammation.
“Anti-stress skincare is all about nourishing the skin barrier and calming inflammation,” Dr. Jessie Cheung told InStyle. “Oils and ceramides to balance hydration and soothe, anti-oxidants to repair and protect, and growth factors and peptides to maintain collagen synthesis.”
Anti-stress skincare formulations may also feature naturally nourishing ingredients, like olive oil, or relaxing ingredients, like lavender, to help unwind tension.
Supporting the skin barrier
Despite the wide variety of anti-stress skincare formulations available, most products share a universal goal: promote the health of the skin barrier.
Why the focus on the skin barrier? The skin barrier both maintains and supports skin suppleness, firmness, and moisture and serves as a barrier between the body and the outside world. In short? The skin barrier is critical to both the health and the appearance of skin.
A healthy skin barrier is strong, smooth, and supple. Meanwhile, a weakened skin barrier can look red, flaky, or irritated and feel tight, itchy, and otherwise uncomfortable.
To support a healthy skin barrier and help soothe stressed out skin, anti-stress skincare formulations typically incorporate or feature:
- Moisturizers – like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to increase skin suppleness and firmness
- Antioxidants – to help promote wound repair and protect from damage caused by free radicals
- Adaptogens and superfoods – trendy options include ashwagandha, licorice, reishi mushrooms, and turmeric
- Advanced Ingredient Technologies – that target vital proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin to help reduce inflammation and speed recovery times.
- Gentler chemical exfoliation – chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid are a safer option when exfoliation is needed.
"Any type of stress can manifest in your skin, since it’s the largest organ in the body. Stress can increase cortisol levels which in turn increases inflammation."
Lara Devgan, M.D., Vogue
Soothing stress
Stress will continue to be an issue for modern skincare consumers.
However, skincare formulations aimed at supporting the skin barrier and promoting healthier, more moisturized skin can help target some of the key issues associated with “stressed out” skin.
Whether it’s dryness, redness, or irritation, anti-stress skincare formulations may provide a welcome respite to maxxed out consumers.
