Your face tends to have an eerie knack for displaying how you feel. Many of you do not know that this skin-psyche connection owes to your brain and skin sharing a singular layer of cells. Thus, causes them to share the same emotive response particularly when it comes to clinking nerves.

What happens to your skin when you are stressed?

Your body seems to instill the same response, whether you are running to save your life from a wild animal or reaching your deadline at work. The amygdala, which is the part of your brain that sends emotional processing, transmits a signal to your hypothalamus that regulates the nervous system of your body. In response, your nervous system pours a torrent of stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline. 

This quick surge in stress levels is a good thing, as this rushes the blood towards your skin layers, and facilitates elastin and collagen synthesis. However, the problem starts when you remain in a constant state of stress which is also known as chronic low-level stress. 

Redness

Since this stress response tends to stay switched on, you may experience a firestorm of inflammation on your skin. This leads to a weakened skin barrier thus causing your cells to leak water. Excess levels of cortisol deprive your skin's outermost layer of lipids, ceramides, and water that form a protective barrier and lock in moisture. This high level of inflammation can also exacerbate underlying skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, thus causing discomfort through consistent itching and dryness. Therefore the effects of stress on skin and hair are great. 

How can we help?

If your skin is prone to being inflamed you may want to add some hard working solutions to your regime. First and foremost, you may want to dispose of any products that may cause skin irritation and consider the use of retinoid products. This is because retinol increases the cellular turnover rate in your skin rendering it suitable for a variety of skin concerns, but in particular balancing an equilibrium in inflamed skin. While the topical products may cause a few weeks of dryness and peeling, you should start immediately rather than wait. 

You may also want to add an emollient moisturizer to your skincare arsenal. Opt for a face cream that is not very heavy or thick, but at the same time that strengthens your skin barrier function. If you experience extreme redness and irritation, you may want to go for a hydrocortisone cream. 

Miracle balm by Pinksoul is also a great option. With its heavy moisturizing properties, it heals all the dryness that comes with eczema, thus giving you smooth skin. you may also want to try out Pinksoul’s HKs Rose water to heal eczema-inflamed skin. it cools your skin removing the redness and rejuvenates it to heal better. 

Acne

How does stress cause acne? For some, constant stress may stimulate the release of hormones such as cortisol. This chemical is known for initiating physiological responses in your body. Thus, an excessive release of cortisol disrupts the other hormones resulting in an overproduction of sebum causing acne breakouts. Increased stress levels may also result in an imbalance of good and bacteria in your gut contributing to more flare-ups.

How can we help?

Acne is the most common effect of stress on your skin. To deal with this concern it is best to use a clarifying cleanser twice a day in your regime depending on your skin type. We suggest you use Neem Clear Face Wash by Pinksoul. Combined with all the therapeutic properties of mint, neem, and cucumber, this cleanser is ideal for acne breakouts. It not only evacuates pollution but also eradicates dead skin cells while tightening pores. 

For a traditional approach, you can go for a serum. Acne care serum by Pinksoul absorbs into your skin quickly to shrink your pores and combat acne breakouts. With powerful ingredients such as tea tree oil, aloe vera, alpha arbutin, and salicylic acid this organic skincare product is ideal for treating acne scars that follow. 

You can also go for a spot treatment with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Instead of going for a regular moisturizer, you may want to opt for something lighter. A hyaluronic acid serum is great because it is less comedogenic and thus less likely to clog pores giving way to blackheads. 

Premature aging

Can stress damage your skin? Many of you are not aware, but stress accelerates the aging process. So, if you are stressed you may begin to display signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles on your face at a younger age. 

This is because of the impact of stress on your DNA telomeres or the caps that are based at the ends of your DNA to shield the chromosome. Prolonged stress tends to shorten your telomeres at a fast rate resulting in cellular damage and thus premature aging. 

How can we help?

Aging is an unavoidable process of life, yet if it occurs before time, you may not quite enjoy it. The Revive Regime kit by Pinksoul is the ideal package for helping you prevent the effects of premature aging. This kit includes an anti-aging serum, face cream, and eye cream. Formulated with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E it reduces the signs of aging like pigmentation spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

Under-eye bags

Disturbed sleep and in more severe cases, insomnia may occur as a result of emotional and mental stress. Inadequate sleep or an erratic sleep pattern gives way to an accumulation of fluids below your eyelids. This in turn leads to under-eye bags which may only worsen due to the impact of gravity after waking up in the morning.

How can we help?

Under Eye bags often form as a result of constant stress. For this Pinksoul’s Bye-bye dark circle coffee serum is best. It is infused with a blend of coffee oils along with other magical ingredients that cancel out the effects of a lack of a good night's sleep. The caffeine treats puffiness and dark circles under your eyes, brightening them and enriching them. You must apply this under your eyes every day before going to bed for maximum results. 

Trichotillomania

Upon severe stress, you may lose control of your impulses. More often than not, this leads you to pull out your hair by yourself, resulting in bald patches. This is an unconscious act as you tend to lose your thinking power and thus your instincts. Thus the effects of stress on skin and hair can be rather dangerous. However, this condition is not very common and may occur under chronic stress scenarios. 

How can we help? 

To deal with this condition, you may have to keep a check by maintaining a diary of your hair pulling. You may also have to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy to identify any change in behavior patterns when it comes to pulling your hair. Habit reversal training may also be taken to get more awareness of your increased urge to pull hair and replace this with a different action. 

At the same time, you may want to invest in relaxation techniques such as yoga sessions. Medications to suppress stress levels may also be suggested such as Prozac. But for this, it is better you consult a healthcare specialist. 

The final verdict

The effects of stress on skin and hair are beyond what you can imagine. Increased anxiety levels can cause acne, redness, under-eye bags, and conditions such as trichotillomania. All these wreak havoc on your skin and hair and thus your overall appearance, impacting your confidence levels. So it is recommended that you seriously deal with stress before you start experiencing skin concerns associated with it.