How stress affects skin and the best ways to treat flare-ups – including £13 cream

2023-04-12

They say that bad things come in threes, and that’s certainly true with me and minor facial ailments. A few times a year an unsightly combination of spots, mouth ulcers and eye styes will spring up on my face, an assortment of harmless but annoying lumps that seemingly appear from nowhere.

But if I think about it, these bad skin days almost always happen during particularly stressful times, my face more than willing to give away the state of my mental wellbeing.

“When you’re stressed the brain releases the hormones cortisol and adrenaline,” explains Daniel Isaacs, Medik8’s director of research. “These can damage the cells’ DNA resulting in skin ageing, weaken the skin barrier causing inflammation, and increase sebum production, which can cause acne. Studies have shown that stress affects a whole spectrum of skincare concerns.”

Of course, the real solution is to tackle the root cause of the stress, but while I work on that (two weeks on a tropical island should do it, right…?), here are the products I reach for to settle my skin, hair and maybe even my mind during trying times…

Best moisturiser

Faace Stress Faace Moisturiser, £34 here

Doing exactly what it says on the tin, this happy chappy tackles a multitude of stress-related skin concerns – from dehydration and dullness to excess sebum production and sensitivity – all in one tub. This is thanks to a smart active ingredient called Neurophroline, which inhibits the production of cortisol, dialling down stressed skin in just a few hours.

Best night cream

Aveeno Calm + Restore Re-Hydrating Night Cream, £12.99 here

Oats aren’t just comforting at breakfast time on a cold morning; in skincare, they also soothe sensitive or super-dry skin.

Aveeno has just expanded its Calm + Restore range with this rich night cream, which cossets delicate skin with a blanket of hydration using a combination of prebiotic oat extract, calming feverfew plant extract and nourishing shea butter.

Best for dark circles

Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye, from £42 here

Under-eye circles are a telltale sign of a night spent tossing and turning. “Stress can also result in dark circles because it causes blood vessels under the eye to become inflamed, and also the skin to become drier and more translucent – therefore the discolouration is more visible,” says Daniel.

Tackle this with retinoids and hydration to thicken and plump the skin. Medik8’s new eye cream contains clinical strength (and buildable) levels of vitamin A but encapsulated in two different ways for super-slow release, plus ceramides and hyaluronic acid to be as non-irritating as possible. Testers saw an improvement in the look of dark circles, puffiness and fine lines after six weeks.

Best for blemishes

Paula’s Choice CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant, £34 here

Paula’s original 2% BHA is a staple in my emergency bag of blemish busters, and now I’ll also be keeping this gentler version on hand for when my skin’s spotty AND extra sensitive.

The salicylic acid in this lightweight gel helps to unclog pores and sweep away dead skin cells while still protecting the skin barrier.

“It’s important to regularly exfoliate the skin even if it’s stressed, as this will mean that there’s less chance of sebum production causing congestion,” says Daniel.

Best for stressed scalps

Aveda Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum, £42 here

You’ve all heard by now that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and if stress is affecting your skin, it’s probably affecting your scalp too.

I’m prone to dry, sore patches on my head when I’m feeling less than my best, but stress can also show as excess oil production, dandruff or even hair loss. Aveda’s new five-piece Scalp Solutions range works to hydrate, balance and strengthen the skin on your head – this serum is my top pick for soothing your scalp while you sleep.

Best supplements

Bach RESCUE Gummies, £13.49 each for 60 here

I swore by Rescue Remedy drops to keep me level-headed for my driving test, and now the brand’s botanical blends are available in vegan gummies, designed to promote calmer days and more restful nights.

I can’t say if it’s natural ingredients at work or simply the sugar rush (and crash) from chomping on these yummy little sweets, but I do feel like I have been sleeping better since taking them – and my skin is thanking me for it.

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