Psychodermatology: Managing Stress for a Healthy Glow
By Neuroaesthetics Consultant & Researcher Saskia Wheeler
Modern day life comes with an abundance of micro stressors all contributing to heightened anxiety. As a result, it’s no surprise that there is an epidemic of chronic stress in today's world. Aromatherapy Associates Skincare Collection was designed to optimize skin health and mental wellbeing with insights from the new exciting area of Psychodermatology. This emerging field delves into the relationship between our mind and skin, exploring how internal inflammation manifests externally. This discipline seeks to understand how emotional factors like stress, anxiety, and depression influence skin conditions, and how these skin issues, in turn, impact our mental well-being.
How Does Stress Impact the Skin?
At the root of stress-related skin issues is cortisol, a hormone essential for daily functioning. Cortisol energizes us, fuels our workouts, and motivates us. However, when cortisol levels are consistently elevated due to chronic stress, the hormone can wreak havoc on the body, particularly the skin.
Excess cortisol triggers inflammation, impairing the skin’s barrier function. This weakens the production of natural oils that are crucial for skin repair and moisture retention, leading to dryness and irritation. High cortisol levels also compromise the immune system, exacerbating existing skin conditions and increasing susceptibility to irritation. Additionally, cortisol elevates sebum production—an oily substance that can clog pores and lead to acne. This is why many of us notice more frequent breakouts during stressful periods. One of the ways to reduce the signs of stress on your skin is by using products that boost anti-inflammatory properties. The Radiance Boost Serum, featuring pink rock rose, helps reduce stress by stalling proinflammatory cytokine production. The soothing rose aroma also works to lower anxiety, further reducing inflammation in the body.
Why Does the Body Produce Cortisol?
Cortisol is produced when the body perceives a threat, activating the brain's "fight or flight" response. This triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, along with physical changes like an increased heart rate, sweaty palms, and heightened concentration. While these responses are vital for survival, chronic activation of this system can lead to heightened sensitivity to everyday stressors, causing long-term stress. Factors like LED lights in the evening, social media, and urban living can perpetuate this stress response, making it even harder for the body to return to a state of calm.
Emotional stressors like chronic anxiety and depression can lead to imbalances in hormone levels of serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in skin health by regulating cell growth, immune function, and wound healing. Depression, in particular, can suppress the immune system, leaving the skin more susceptible to infections and slowing the healing of wounds and other skin injuries. Incorporating activities and daily practices that boost dopamine and serotonin levels can help maintain skin health, keeping you feeling refreshed and vibrant both inside and out. The Pro Barrier Boost Face Oil is the perfect accompaniment to help your skin stay resilient to stress. With skin stress relief technology and botanicals such as Rosehip oil to reduce anxiety, the scent and feel of the oil helps you to feel relaxed, hydrated and leave your skin replenished and vibrant.
How Can We Manage Our Stress Response?
Regulating Your Nervous System Through Skin Contact
Physical touch is a powerful tool for boosting oxytocin levels—a hormone that fosters feelings of love, trust, and security. Simple acts like cuddling, hugging, or even petting your dog can raise oxytocin levels, promoting relaxation and easing anxiety. Additionally, practices like massages, and deep breathing with your hand on your chest, can lower your heart rate and enhance your sense of well-being, making you more resilient to stress. Meditation is a great way to support emotional regulation which can bring down feelings of anxiety. The skincare range was designed to relax the mind and body by bio-mimicking the effects of meditation. Products like the Intensive Rich Cream, enriched with Plant Stem Cell technology, strengthen the skin's barrier and promote skin cell regeneration, combating the effects of stress from both inside and out.
One of my main tips and tricks for calming the nervous system before bed is taking a hot bath with essential oils. This helps circulate blood flow, release muscle tension, and lower heart rate and blood pressure. You’ll notice that as your body cools down post-bath, you'll find it easier to slip into deep, restful sleep—a key component of stress management. With calming ingredients such as Sandalwood which has been shown to help with lowering cortisol, the skincare collection is the perfect accompaniment to your evening routine.
Mitigating Stress Through Lifestyle Choices
Beyond skin contact therapy, there are many ways to release tension and reduce stress. Movement is a really great way to release endorphins and lower cortisol levels. Just 20 minutes of walking in nature can have a significant impact on reducing stress. Getting 5 - 10 minutes of sunlight within the first hour of waking up has been shown to increase dopamine levels throughout the day to give you that extra drive, and enhance mood. The Skincare Collection was designed to help to combat the effects of UV light on your skin. Key ingredient, pink algae, adapts to solar stress, to allow you to get all the nutrients and benefits of natural light whilst keeping your skin protected.
This approach aligns with Neuroaesthetics, the study of how beauty, nature, and art impact psychological health. Incorporating natural scents and objects into your environment is a simple yet effective way to reduce stress and enhance well-being. As a specialist in Neuroaesthetics, I’m always seeking ways to create sensory experiences that relax and restore. Psychodermatology teaches us that reducing stress’s impact on your skin requires a dual approach: calming the mind and soothing the skin. Having a skincare routine with products like Aromatherapy Associates Skincare Collection designed to mirror the effects of meditation embodies this holistic approach to mental and physical well-being.
