5 Ways Holiday Stress Affects Your Skin And How To Cope

Although the holidays can be a stressful time, have no fear, help is here. Stress triggers endocrine and immune system responses in your body, which in turn trigger responses in your skin. Here’s a rundown of some of the ways that stress can negatively impact skin health and how to cope.

Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, increases when anxiety mounts. High levels of cortisone damage the skin’s ability to retain moisture, which can leave skin looking dry, dull and saggy. Studies have confirmed that chronic stress results in higher transepidermal water loss, lower water retention, impaired barrier function and slight wrinkle formation. Replace moisture and replenish skin with antioxidant-rich Marine Skin Nourishing Cream with bioactive marine minerals, amino acids and sea proteins to draw in and retain moisture, while protecting against damage caused by free radicals.

Cortisol is the culprit here again. The adrenal hormone stimulates glucose production causing elevated blood sugar levels and creating the process known as glycation, which breaks down skin-firming collagen and elastin. Protect your skin from stress-aging with antioxidants, peptides and retinoid (vitamin A). Pure C+E Serum is a powerful antioxidant booster serum that neutralizes free radicals and primes skin’s natural repair mechanisms. Derm-A-Renew combines retinoid (vitamin A) propionate, oligopeptides, healing niacinamide and lactic acid to counter the effects of stress, accelerate cell renewal, and boost collagen production for firmer, brighter, younger looking skin.

The adrenal glands activated by stress produce androgen hormones, which are the ones responsible for sebum production. So in times of stress, when adrenal glands go into overdrive, your skin produces excess oil. That excess oil can mix with dead skin cells to cause follicles to get clogged resulting in breakouts. Take preventive action by removing residual dirt and oil with a refining toner like Vivant’s Normalizing Tonic and regularly exfoliating to slough off dead skin. BP 3% Exfoliating Cleanser with benzoyl peroxide will remove dead skin and kill acne bacteria to keep skin looking clear and healthy. Exfol-A daily retinoid (vitamin A) accelerates cell renewal to flush out pores and improve skin tone and texture.

The adrenal response to stress causes capillaries to expand and blood to surge resulting in flushing. These flare-ups may be further exacerbated by a stress-weakened immune system, which can make them last longer than usual. Counter the conflagration with calming Green Tea Cleanser . In addition to their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, the polyphenols in green tea are also anti-angiogenic, meaning they help reduce the appearance of blood vessels. Light, non-irritating Allantoin further soothes inflammation, while encouraging new cell growth.

Stress can disrupt your sleep and cause your eyes to look tired and puffy. So can too many parties, too much rich food, and too much alcohol. Avoid that unsightly, “I won at beer pong,” look by giving your eye area a nourishing dose of firming and brightening peptides, retinoid (vitamin A) propionate and caffeine in Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream.