5 Ways Holiday Stress Affects Your Skin And How To Cope

How To Avoid Holiday Skin Stress

The holidays can be a stressful time. Does Aunt Sue wear a size Large and how offended will she be if you get it wrong? Why are you the only one who didn’t know the boss is allergic to Brazil nuts? Has everyone forgotten what happened at last year’s holiday party yet? Where are the Spanx?

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.

Dry Skin

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.

Fine Lines

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 vitamin A. Spin Trap Antioxidant Serum is a powerful antioxidant booster serum that neutralizes free radicals and primes skin’s natural repair mechanisms. Derm-A-Renew combines 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.

Acne

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. Eol-Axf™ Daily Vitamin A serum accelerates cell renewal to flush out pores and improve skin tone and texture.

Redness

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 Antioxidant 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 Sedating & Hydrating Lotion further soothes inflammation, while encouraging new cell growth.

Tired, Baggy Eyes

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, Vitamin A Propionate and caffeine in Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream.

What Else Can You Do?

Get some exercise. Pumping up endorphins will help reduce stress and its negative effects. Exercise also helps increase circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells while removing toxins.

Get some sleep. Cortisol levels rise when you get less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. You often get less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep when you’re stressed. Stress raises cortisol levels. It’s a vicious cycle.

Don’t overindulge. Remember that too much alcohol and/or sugar work against your skin by triggering glycation from elevated glucose levels and causing sleep disruptions.

Enjoy your holidays and some time off to relax and renew.