Our Skin Gets Stressed Too
March 5, 2024
Writer: Ella Javorsky
Editor: Anna Pierson
As college students, we are overwhelmed by daily stressors and become somewhat immune to feelings of anxiety. When we juggle school, work, extracurriculars, and our social lives, stress can morph into an everyday feeling that we don’t always bring attention to, as our priorities are elsewhere. Yet, these accumulating feelings cannot be ignored, as their impact stretches beyond butterflies in the stomach. In fact, stress surfaces through our skin, and it is important that we recognize this in order to look after our minds and bodies.
When the body is under stress, it stimulates the immune system to respond, releasing stress hormones that trigger the body’s “fight or flight” response. One may notice that their muscles tense up; this response was designed to protect the body in an emergency by preparing them to react quickly. But when the stress response is exerted repeatedly, day after day, the health impact is exacerbated.
During the stress response, cortisol is released, which causes the skin to produce more oils that can clog pores and cause acne. Additionally, cortisol interferes with our body’s hyaluronic acid, a natural lubricant found in the fluid of our eyes and joints. As such, the body’s ability to store water and keep the skin from drying up is compromised. Furthermore, because sweat glands are activated, the body loses even more water through the skin. This can also lead to inflammation, as it disrupts the skin’s natural barrier.
In the context of GI health, there is a direct relationship between the gut microbiome and the skin. If one has increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut symptoms like gas and bloating, then their gut may let larger molecules into the bloodstream. The idea is that “toxins” from your intestines can leak into your bloodstream and cause an inflammatory immune response that is reflected in the skin through puffiness, break-outs, or excessive dryness.
The question is, how do we fix this and protect our skin? Learning to mitigate and manage stress, as well as promote gut health, is a crucial first step to protecting and clearing your skin. Before jumping into a new regimen and assuming that fancy products will solve these problems, it's crucial to understand other potential root causes of skin flare-ups. Likewise, you can use skincare routines as an outlet to destress, wind down, and calm your body. For myself, gua sha is a way of doing that. Every morning, I play calming music while I wash up, and the final step of my regimen is using a gua sha and hydrating oil on my face for a five-minute routine. Not only is it very soothing, but the gua sha also promotes lymphatic drainage to help reduce inflammation in the skin. Dedicating time to skincare at both the start and end of the day allows me to relax and look after my body, as well as help lower my stress levels. Everything in our bodies is connected, so it is important to be mindful of our actions and feelings to promote good health and clear skin.
References
Communication, M. and. (2024, January 17). Stressed out skin: The link between stress and skin health. University of Utah Health | University of Utah Health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/01/stressed-out-skin-link-between-stress-and-skin-health
Graubard, R., Perez-Sanchez, A., & Katta, R. (n.d.). Stress and skin: An overview of mind body therapies as a treatment strategy in dermatology. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1104a91
WebMD. (n.d.). Stress effects on skin: Rash, itching, bumps, breakouts, and more. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/the-effects-of-stress-on-your-skin
