Wake up. Work out. Commute. Accomplish something on that never-ending to-do list. Commute home. Make a healthy dinner. Maintain a social life. Let’s face it, life is exhausting. There is always something to be doing or working on, and that can take a toll. Kristian Henderson, DrPH, founder of the beauty e-commerce Web site BLK + GRN said:
Stress is serious. The science is getting stronger at proving that it shows up in and on your body.
Aside from the mental effects on your body, stress can also manifest itself physically. Below are some common stress-related symptoms and how we like to combat them.
Stress Acne
How many times were you told that acne wouldn’t be a problem after you left your teenage years? Too many? Same here. Acne can be a major indicator of stress, and we’ve got some tips to help you determine whether that new spot on your face is the sign you need to slow down.
In the (T) Zone
The area of your face with the most oil glands is within your T-Zone. This makes it a prime area for stress-induced acne to appear because your body produces more oil when it is put under pressure. This is different from hormonal acne, which normally appears along your jawline. Acne from stress usually appears as whiteheads or blackheads, but if you already have some acne in your T-Zone, it can inflame it further.
How to Deal with Acne Breakouts
While the easy answer to dealing with acne breakouts would be to not be stressed anymore, that’s not a realistic solution. However, there are some things you can do to help minimize, and even help to prevent these types of breakouts.
Treatments:
The first step you can take is to apply a spot treatment. There are products that can be used on your entire face, but the main key here is finding something that includes benzoyl peroxide that can be placed directly on the area of concern. If you can find a spot treatment that will also soothe inflammation and redness, even better. Our favorite treatments include:
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Emergency Spot Fix: It’s made with benzoyl peroxide to unclog pores, and also includes Lavender, Tea Tree and Camellia Sinensis to help bring down redness and irritation.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution: After applying a spot treatment, introducing a product with salicylic acid is great for keeping your pores unclogged without drying out your skin.
Skin Authority Acne and Oil Control: If you’re looking for a product that will help to exfoliate and refine your skin while also unclogging your pores, apply this to a cotton round and sweep over your whole face. The acids will help to smooth and regulate sebum production, while Witch Hazel and Aloe will reduce redness and inflammation.
Fatigue & Lack of Sleep
While you might think that staying busy means that you’ll automatically sleep well at night, that isn’t always the case. Many skin experts believe that the first step in getting your best skin yet is in getting a regular night’s sleep of at least 6 hours. However, if your latest project has kept you up late, and your skin is showing it the next morning, here are our skin savers:
Ren Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask:Nicknamed the “Get Cute” mask, this is a perfect morning wakeup call. Because it contains a formula of 11 natural fruit acids, this mask will gently exfoliate your skin, leaving you with that 8-hours-of-sleep glow.
Erno Laszlo Multi-Task Eye Serum Mask: Here at the Lookfantastic US office, these eye masks have become a commuter-favorite. They provide instant cooling, tightening and de-puffing for those mornings when you wake up with a little less pep in your step.
Our best advice for dealing with stress showing itself in your skin is taking time for yourself. Read a book, take a walk, draw yourself a hot bubble bath, whatever helps you to step back from the chaos of every day. Share how you self-care by tagging us on Instagram using #lookfantasticus!
