Many people have been under a great deal of stress recently. With all of the adverse health disorders associated with psychological stress and anxiety, people often overlook the impact that stress can have on the skin. Recent research has confirmed skin is both an immediate stress perceiver and a target of stress responses. As the largest organ of the body, skin serves as a barrier and plays an essential role in immune functions by maintaining homeostasis between the external environment and internal tissues.
From temperature, PH balance to oil production, and inflammation, the central nervous system communicates with the skin and can cause irritations and imbalance. For example, during acute and ongoing/uncontrolled stress, many people will have more breakouts, rashes, hives, fever blisters, flares of rosacea, or eczema. Stress can even cause the skin to become colder, secrete more sebaceous oil, or become dry and cracked. Controlling anxiety is crucial for your overall health and wellbeing, as well as your skin.
Controlling Stress
Some of the things that can help control stress are breathing techniques, meditation, exercising, reading, or journaling. You can even see a therapist on line, in the privacy of your own home. However, if you've got uncontrolled anxiety, it's imperative to talk to your physician about your treatment options.
Time for Self Care
Sometimes, just performing a little self care at home can do wonders for stress relief. Enjoying a warm bath, taking an aromatic steamy shower, or performing a home pedicure, can help you recenter and refocus your thoughts and divert your attention away from what is making you anxious.
Caring for Skin that Is Showing Signs of Stress
If you are experiencing blemishes or dry patches, pay attention to the products you are putting on your skin. Everything that touches our skin penetrates our body, bloodstream, and organs. It's essential to look for products made with natural ingredients and stave off chemical-laden products as much as possible.
No Chemicals-Toxins and chemicals like triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens are harmful carcinogens, allergens, and pore-clogging ingredients that are absorbed directly into your skin and into the body.
These can create an unhealthy environment and cause adverse reactions and damage. Even more dangerous, some of these chemicals and toxins are absorbed directly into the lymph nodes and bloodstream, which causes disease states and disorders to arise. look for products that are free from these harsh chemicals and try to avoid synthetic fragrances, harmful dyes, and preservatives.
Natural Ingredients Are More Synergistic- Seek out products with ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, fruit seed oils, and Pro Vitamins. Your skin will look and feel better when choosing products made with natural and organic ingredients.
Naples Soap Company
Deanna Wallin, founder and CEO of Naples Soap Company, personally suffered from psoriasis and eczema, two skin conditions commonly know to be exacerbated by stress.
Deanna explains, "Having been a nurse, I understood the effects harsh commercial chemicals can have on the body. Reading labels of products and researching common ingredients in cosmetic and beauty products was a real eye-opener. I began using natural products myself and on my daughter, who was also diagnosed with eczema. Before long, we saw amazing results. The combination of better skincare products and our efforts to try to reduce the stress in our lives has made a tremendous difference with our skin."
There are so many options to help you with your skin concerns and to help you simply relax.
From the body butters to bath bombs, Naples Soap Company has plenty of self care suggestions to help you relax and de-stress. And, you can feel great about the products you are putting on your skin.
Source: Y. Chen, Brain, Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging, lnflamm Allergy Drug Targets.