Feeling stressed out? There’s a chance that whatever stressors you’re dealing with are taking a toll on your skin. Stress sends your body into fight-or-flight mode and triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can increase inflammation and contribute to eczema, acne, and rosacea flares. Stress also impacts overall skin health: it can weaken the skin barrier, disrupt oil production, and lead to longer healing times.
At the same time, the stress remedies we all hear about online — start working out! Reduce screen time! Cut off all the toxic people in your life! — may not be immediately accessible or practical. This article looks at some very simple actions you can take to reduce stress through mindfulness, as well as basic skincare practices you can turn to amidst the overwhelm.
What are some things I can do in 5-10 minutes to help me feel less stressed?
You can’t always avoid your everyday stressors. And while going to yoga class or getting a massage is great, it doesn’t always fit into your budget or your day. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need a big chunk of time to find some relief from stress. The following actions are small but mighty – small in terms of time commitment, but mighty in terms of how they can reset how you’re feeling and set you down a better path. The next time you feel stressed, consider trying one or more of the following techniques:
- Take deep breaths: When you’re feeling overwhelmed, step away from what you’re doing or simply close your eyes. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, exhale through your mouth, and hold for a few seconds again. Repeat.
- Stand up and stretch: If you’re sitting, stand up, and then perform a few stretches for areas of your body that feel tight. Try reaching for the ceiling, rolling your shoulders, or doing a few neck stretches. Your movements don’t need to be extreme to help release stored up tension.
- Go outside: If you can, go for a quick 5-minute walk or simply spend a few minutes outside. Going outdoors can get your body moving and help you shift your perspective.
- Listen to relaxing music: Slow, soothing sounds like gongs, chimes, nature sounds, and ambient music can help you relax.
If these aren’t appealing to you, there are a variety of other tactics you can try, like meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or positive self talk. The key is to find stress reduction techniques that work for you and to practice building them into your day so you can turn to them when you need them.
What should I do to take care of my skin when I’m stressed?
We live in a time of skinfluencers and rapidly evolving skincare trends. Keeping up with it all can be fun, but it can also add extra pressure, particularly if you’re already feeling stressed out.
Plus, when your skin is experiencing the effects of stress, adding a lot of new products might exacerbate any skin health issues you may be experiencing.
In times of stress, when you all you can do is the bare minimum skincare routine, we recommend the following key products:
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Gentle cleansers: Choose hypoallergenic, fragrance-free cleansers that remove dirt and oil without stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Cleansers should be mild and free of harsh or drying ingredients. We recommend our gentle face wash and hydrating body wash, which are available in a set. If you wear makeup, we would also recommend our non-comedogenic makeup remover.
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Microbiome-friendly moisturizers: Support your skin and your skin barrier by moisturizing regularly with Gladskin’s Daily Care Cream.
- Microbiome-balancing skincare: Struggling with eczema-, rosacea- or acne-prone skin? Restore balance to your skin microbiome with Gladskin’s Rosacear*, Eczemact* and Acnefekt* products. Choose the product that’s best for your unique skin concerns.
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Gladskin: Skincare that won’t add to your stress
We know life gets stressful, and if you’re feeling that way, we hope that you can find some ease and tranquility soon. Meanwhile, Gladskin is here to make one thing simpler: your skincare.
Our minimally-formulated skincare products take the guesswork out of choosing what’s best for your skin. Because they contain only the essentials, you can rest assured that you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs without the stress of wondering about what’s on the ingredient list.
Discover how Gladskin can support you on your journey towards healthy skin when you check out our bestsellers today.
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*This product is a medical device. Please read the Instructions for Use before using the product.