Skin on the fritz? If your skin’s looking and feeling less-than-fresh these days—don’t worry, you’re not alone. The increased stress we’ve all encountered this past year isn’t just affecting our minds and bodies (with racing thoughts and tense muscles), but our skin too. Inflammation, premature aging, and skin conditions like acne and psoriasis can all emerge from stressed skin. But there’s good news: By getting to the root of the problem—that is, managing the stress in our lives—we can combat the unwanted side effects of stress on your skin and many others in the process!
How Stress Affects Your Skin
Inflammation
Our skin contains receptors that transmit external stressors (including pain, tension, and temperature changes) to the brain. This, to put it simply, sets off the body’s stress response (think “fight or flight”) primarily through the excretion and disruption of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. The dysregulation of these hormones can weaken our immune systems and cause prolonged inflammation. On skin, that looks like redness, dryness, blemishes, and other irritations.
Acne
Are new breakouts triggering unsettling memories of your teenage years? Stress is one of many possible causes of acne—thanks to our bodies’ aforementioned inflammatory response. Stress hormones cause glands to produce more oil—a well-known recipe for blemishes and acne.
Premature Aging
Premature aging is also among the many effects of stress on your skin, since chronic stress weakens the body’s immune system. This disrupts the skin’s delicate barrier which affects how it stays hydrated, heals wounds, and ultimately recovers.
Stressed Skin Remedies
Relieve & Restore
You may think of utilizing CBD to promote calm of the mind, but this process of de-stressing also calms the skin. Research shows that CBD connects to the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate physiological functions, and can produce therapeutic effects such as decreased anxiety. CBD is also high in antioxidants and rich in fatty acids, which are known to support healthy skin.
CBD balms like ANTARA’s multipurpose Restore Balm offer a natural alternative to topical corticosteroids typically used to treat inflammation (again—the root of many skin issues). Restore harnesses full-spectrum CBD to heal and balance stressed skin. We also include deeply hydrating organic coconut oil, our own ‘Zen Blend’ of biodynamic flower essences, and other antioxidant-rich ingredients. Massage balm directly onto particularly dry areas like elbows, knees and heels, or use as an overnight hand and foot mask. Restore can also be used as a face mask, thanks to the magic of paracress plant extract supporting softer, firmer skin and an even complexion.
De-Stress & Prevent
The time we dedicate to self-care and managing our responses to stress is worth the effort. Something as simple as a calming nightly routine can relax the body and put your mind at ease. Manage stress by incorporating your own peaceful PM routine to wind down each evening. Combine soothing skin care products like Balance Oil with deep breathing and a nightly gratitude practice for the full meditative effect. Before heading to bed, ingest a full-spectrum CBD tincture like our Vitality Elixir, to promote calm and help prevent anxiety—catching the effects of stress before they hit your skin.
Experiencing stressed skin as we speak? Shop ANTARA’s Deep Sleep Trio to create your ultimate de-stress skincare routine.
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