Don’t let stress ruin your skin!

If you’ve ever struggled with sensitive skin, you know how frustrating it can be. One stressful week at the office and boom – there’s that angry redness, inflammation and irritation creeping back across your skin.

The good news?

Stress relief skincare has come a long way from lotion afterthoughts and generic moisturisers. Thanks to recent breakthroughs in how stress negatively affects skin health, we know exactly what causes problems for reactive skin types – and how to fix it.

Why Stress Harms Sensitive Skin

Believe it or not, stress is one of the worst things you can do for your skin.

When your body experiences stress it releases hormones known as cortisol. Cortisol is what triggers skin inflammation, weakens your skin’s natural barrier and increases sebum production. If you have sensitive skin… it’s a recipe for disaster.

Simply put – stress = big skin problems.

There’s data to back this up too. According to researchers at Harvard University Medical School, psychological stress can cause significant decreases in skin barrier function.

Other studies show just how common skin problems are among stressed individuals. A study published in the Journal of Prevention found that 39.4% of skin disease sufferers experience chronic stress as well.

And it doesn’t stop there. Prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can deteriorate collagen in skin and leave your skin barrier weaker than before. That’s right – every time you experience a stressful period your skin pays the price.

With that in mind, it’s important to treat stress-reactive skin a little differently than you would normal skin. Your regular cleansers, toners and moisturisers probably don’t contain ingredients to address the underlying causes of your skin issues.

That’s why stress relief skincare lines like Bonjil luxury neurocosmetics have become so popular. Neurocosmetic products are specifically formulated with ingredients that support and calm your skin from the inside out by targeting cortisol production and activity.

The Lowdown On Skin-Brain Connections

Ready for a skincare secret that brands don’t want you to know…

Your brain and skin are connected.

Constant communication occurs between your skin and your brain thanks to the release of hormones. When your brain is under stress it tells your skin. When your skin is irritated, it tells your brain. They work in tandem to keep each other in balance.

Think about that the next time you get a pimple and can’t stop picking at it. Or that time you stressed about a big work project and woke up with rosacea flair-ups. Stress and skin problems create a vicious cycle that’s difficult to escape.

Protecting your skin from stress-related damage starts with understanding how your skin’s health impacts your mental well-being…and vice versa.

Enter Neurocosmetics.

Neurocosmetic skincare formulas work by targeting the stress response in skin at a biological level. These products use active ingredients to communicate with your skin’s nervous system and help regulate the release and activity of cortisol.

How To Pick Stress Relief Skincare Products That Actually Work

No matter how gentle or luxurious it claims to be… not all skincare is created equal for stress reactive skin.

Truthfully, most skincare brands rush their product development and testing process. That means you could be tossing down money on products with empty promises.

So how do you spot the real deal?

Simply put: Do your research. Patch test. Ask questions.

While ingredients do matter, it’s also important to look into a brand’s philosophies before trusting them with your skin. Ask questions like:

• What is their skincare development process like?
• Who conducts their product testing?
• Are there any peer-reviewed studies that support their claims?

If a company avoids your questions or redirects you – consider it a red flag.

As for ingredients to look for in stress relief skincare? Keep reading!

5 Skin Soothing Ingredients To Add To Your Routine

While there are dozens of incredible ingredients for calming stressed skin, these five stand out from the rest.

Adaptogens

From ashwagandha to eleuthero root, adaptogens help your skin learn how to deal with stressors by balancing cortisol levels. Many adaptogens are fantastic for sensitive skin types.

Neuropeptides

Arguably the most important ingredient in any skin calming routine. Neuropeptides work with the skin’s nerve receptors to quiet inflammation and calm sensitivity.

Centella Asiatica (Cica)

Commonly known as cica, this medical-grade botanical works wonders for damaged skin. Not only does it repair skin barriers and improve collagen production – it also helps skin calm itself naturally when under stress.

Ceramides

When your skin is stressed out, it loses ceramides. These are key ingredients to help restore the skin barrier and protect skin from environmental damage.

CBD

CBD is well known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s great for improving redness and irritation while soothing skin on a deeper level.

Creating A Skin Calming Routine For Stressful Skin

Picking the right products is only half the battle when it comes to skincare. How you use those products matters just as much.

Here’s the secret…

Your skin cares about your skincare routine as much as you do. Yes, even the part where you wake up and mindlessly throw products on your skin in the shower. Researchers have discovered that a consistent skincare routine can actually help reduce cortisol levels in the body.

Whether you realize it or not, your skin is responding to the way you treat it. Massaging products into skin in a deliberate, focused way improves your skin’s ability to soak up beneficial ingredients. And never underestimate the importance of a consistent routine.

Research published in Frontiers in Medicine confirms that 60-70% of women report having some degree of sensitive skin. That means the majority of people could benefit from switching to a stress-aware skincare approach.

Building a stress relief skincare routine should look something like this:

1. Cleanse with a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
2. Apply a Ceramide Enriched Moisturiser or Neurocosmetic Serum.
3. Moisturise with a quality moisturiser focused on repairing skin barriers.
4. (Morning Routine Only) Always apply SPF before heading outside.

One last thing…

Slow down! Learn to enjoy your skincare routine instead of rushing through it. Whether it’s burning candles at night or listening to a podcast during your morning cleanse – find a way to make skincare something you look forward to.

Final Thoughts

Okay, let’s recap:

• Stress causes your body to produce cortisol – a hormone responsible for causing skin irritation and inflammation
• Skin health and brain health are connected. When one experiences stress, the other tends to follow
• Not all calming skincare products are created equal. Take your time to find something that works for YOU
• Key ingredients to look for include adaptogens, neuropeptides, ceramides and soothing botanicals like Cica
• Build a simple skincare routine that focuses on repair and strengthening your skin barrier. Apply consistently!

Nobody should have to experience skin issues because of stress. Now that you know how to handle stress-reactive skin you’re one step closer to achieving a calming, healthy glow all year long.