this is how holiday stress affects your skin (and how to combat it)

The stress of the holidays can be a lot to deal with…from gift shopping to cooking and eating more sugary foods, to finding time to spend with your family members and friends. Now you’ve probably heard about the impact that stress can have on your emotions, energy levels, immune system and more. But did you know that stress can negatively impact how your skin looks, feels, and functions too? Here are a few esthetician-approved ways you can counteract the effects of holiday stress on your skin.  

No matter what your skincare goals are, understanding how stress affects your skin is key to achieving those goals. Your body responds physically to changes in your psychological state, and these responses can lead to the development of new skin problems or even cause existing skin problems to flare up. So, when you feel emotionally stressed, your sympathetic nervous system lets out stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline into your body. Cortisol affects the skin by expanding oil production into your skin glands, which can then lead to issues like clogged pores and blemishes. When your body is exposed to stress on an ongoing basis (aka chronic stress), it means there is a constant stream these stress hormones flowing through your body which can have a damaging effect on your skin’s health.

Now you may be asking yourself, “how do I help prevent stress, so my skin doesn’t break out” or “how do I help prevent aging skin”? Well, your first step should always be to nurture your mind, body, and soul daily. It sounds cheesy – but hear us out! If stress hormones that negatively impact your skin’s health are released when your body recognizes the emotion of stress, then reducing how much emotional stress you experience is the easiest and most budget-friendly way to reach your skin goals. Try implementing things that help you de-stress into your daily routine, and commit to doing them in the same way you commit to brushing your teeth every morning and night. Whether it’s taking a walk outside each morning, going to the gym, reading a good book or calling your best friend – experiencing little moments of joy throughout the day is sure to help counteract the effects of holiday stress on your skin.  

Now, reducing your emotional stress levels will go a long way, but it is equally as important to protect against the effects of environmental stressors on your skin. Make sure you have a quality skincare regimen, and do it consistently each day, both morning and night. Choose products formulated with high levels of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients like hempseed oil and aloe juice, which work to protect your skin from environmental stressors like free radicals all day. Your nightly skincare routine should focus on hydrating, soothing inflammation and repairing stress-induced damage that your skin cells may have been exposed to. A good morning routine should start with cleansing your skin to hydrate, refresh and purify your pores – we recommend High’s high priority cleansing foam for all skin types. Next, gently tap a half pump of high eye-Q eye gel around the orbit of each eye (don’t forget your eyelids too) which is going to help with any puffiness and brighten dark circles while providing antioxidant protection. Lastly, no morning skincare routine is complete without High’s high five moisturizer. Apply a small amount of this cream to your face, neck, chest and even your hands for hydration, nourishment, and antioxidant-rich protection against free radicals all day. Did you know that your hands and neck are the first parts of the body to start showing signs of aging? We cannot neglect them! Your nighttime skincare routine should, of course, include using your high priority cleanser to remove any makeup, oil, and bacteria – feel free to double cleanse if you need to. Next, use your eye gel like you did in the morning, and then apply a few drops of High’s high expectations facial oil to your face, neck, and chest. Overnight, this serum-like facial oil will help replenish nutrients and hydrate your skin while balancing your skins oil production and strengthening your skin barrier.

While the holidays are bound to bring more stress into our lives, there are many ways we can counteract the effect of those stress hormones on our bodies and skin. Start by incorporating things that bring you little moments of joy into your daily routine to minimize the effect of stress hormones on your skin. And commit to consistently doing your morning and nightly skincare routines to protect against environmental stress on your skin and help repair it too. Do you have any tried-and-true tips for combatting holiday stress? Let us know on social @highskincare!

Want to learn more about High Beauty? Checkout more articles like this on the High Beauty blog, learn more about the science behind High’s skincare formulas, or visit our FAQ page.

And don’t forget - there’s nothing more we love than chatting skincare, and we’d love to help you create a simple and effective skincare routine that’s easy to stick to. For complimentary skincare advice from High Beauty’s esthetician, please email us at info@highbeauty.com or slide into our DM’s on social.