Stress can affect physical well-being just as much as mental well-being; for example, it can directly impact your skin health. High stress levels increase levels of cortisol, which increases inflammation, disrupts oil balance, and weakens the skin’s natural barrier. When the skin barrier is damaged, moisture can easily escape, making the skin more sensitive to breakouts. It isn’t just the direct impact that affects the skin health, but also behaviours that come with periods of stress, such as skin picking or lip biting, which significantly worsen skin health over time. This article discusses how the behavioural habits linked to stress damage the skin and how to reduce their impact.
Repetitive Skin Touching and Picking
It is common that stress related behaviours are carried out because they feel soothing in the moment; however, skin health can be seriously affected through habits like touching the face and picking at loose skin. It may go unnoticed, but our hands carry lots of bacteria which easily transfer onto the face when touching it. The bacteria can cause infection and inflammation. Continuously picking at a spot damages the skin barrier and can cause scarring after the spot has healed.
Some people experience acne excoriée from this behaviour, which is a condition where the picking of blemishes worsens breakouts and prolongs recovery. Stress can also cause hormonal changes, which in themselves can trigger breakouts, making this cycle even harder to break.
There are various strategies that can be implemented to help prevent repetitive skin touching and picking. To keep hands busy, stress balls or fidget tools can be used, using pimple patches to protect spots, and just becoming more mindful in general of stress triggers to intervene early.
Lip Biting and Licking
Another behaviour which is developed through stress is repetitive lip biting or licking. This habit may feel comforting at the time; however, it results in the saliva stripping the natural oils of the lip, which weakens the skin barrier and can leave the skin dry and cracked.
Using cosmetic products like lip gloss on dehydrated lips can make the sensitivity worse over time, it is important to prioritise nourishing the lips before applying lip gloss by using a lip balm. Alternatively, using a lip gloss formula with hyaluronic acid and shea butter can be considered to skip the lip balm step. Finally, applying a lip mask overnight can also repair dry lips while you sleep. It is particularly important to hydrate and protect lips in cold or dry environments.
Excessive Cleansing and Exfoliation
When stress has caused skin issues, it is common to excessively cleanse and/or exfoliate in an attempt to address the skin problems quickly. However, this actually does more harm than good by stripping away the skin’s natural oils; similarly to the lips, this will weaken the protective barrier. When the barrier is weakened, it leaves the skin sensitive to dehydration, redness and worsening breakouts. This behaviour can result in the skin issues appearing worse than they did before.
The encouraged approach is to limit exfoliation to just once or twice a week and use a balanced cleanser that avoids stripping natural oils from the skin. If the skin has already been damaged by excessive cleansing and exfoliation, prioritising products which have ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid will help to restore moisture and support the long term health of the skin, especially during periods of stress.
Irritating Cosmetic Ingredients
When the skin barrier has become damaged due to stress hormones directly or behaviours as a response to stress, the skin becomes sensitive and therefore more likely to be reactive to irritants such as fragrances or harsh ingredients. It is important to check the ingredient labels when using products during these periods where your skin is more sensitive, even products you previously used, as they may now cause irritation too. In addition to looking out for harsh ingredients, it is also good to look out for supportive ingredients such as aloe vera or niacinamide, to soothe inflammation and rebuild the barrier.
Neglect of Basic Skin Care Needs
Stress can affect people in different ways; for some, the behaviours can be quite the opposite of what we have previously discussed. Mental overload can make simple self-care routines feel overwhelming, leading to steps of a routine being missed, such as cleansing or moisturising or sometimes skipping the routine altogether. This lack of care can show up in a number of ways, such as dehydration or accelerated signs of ageing.
A simplified routine is often the most sustainable when self-care routines feel overwhelming. A simple cleanse, moisturise, and SPF in the morning, then cleanse and moisturise in the evening, is perfect for a simple routine. Focusing on consistency as opposed to an overcomplicated routine will make a noticeable difference.
Conclusion
Stress behaviours can quietly impact your skin over time. What feels like innocent picking and deep cleansing can turn into more serious skin issues. By replacing these behaviours with nurturing routines, you give your skin the chance to repair itself. Remember, consistency is better than aiming for perfection to restore your skin health and improve your overall wellbeing during periods of stress.
Photo Credit
Photo is from pexels
Guest Author Bio
Cathy Fletcher
Cathy Fletcher is a retired physiotherapist based in Manchester, UK, with a rich 40-year career in the NHS. After navigating the challenges of divorce and retirement, Cathy discovered a new purpose: empowering individuals over 50 to live their best lives and uncover new passions. Her personal journey through these significant life changes has fuelled her commitment to sharing insights and experiences with others in similar stages.
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