With the past year being one for the books, I want to talk a little bit about stress and how it impacts your body overall, and your face specifically.

I believe that being aware of HOW something works gives you the power to make informed choices about the way you live, and this is my specialty when it comes to your face!

Stress boosts the production of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can increase the production of oil (sebum) in the skin and this can clog your pores, resulting in inflammation and breakouts. (Increased sebum production around the time women ovulate is the recipe for “hormonal breakouts” as well, but that’s a different post for a different day.)

Stress can increase insulin resistance. It can lower your immune system.

Basically, stress is the worst and it’s a chronic issue, especially for Americans and our 90 MPH lifestyles. And when it’s causing pimples, the solution requires more than a new toner.

Managing stress is of the upmost importance for a lot of systems in our bodies, and something I encourage all clients to put some serious effort into. Lowering your stress as you can, and reducing inflammation WILL make a difference in your face, how you age, and your breakouts, but more importantly, how you feel when you wake up in the morning.

• Get quality sleep, and enough of it. Make this a priority. I have a whole routine now, where I have to wear socks but not pants, I need a LIGHT blanket, and also my special fancy pillow that’s all contoured to support my neck. It makes a difference and I’ve gotten really protective about my sleep.
• Move your body. I like to take a 3 mile walk after work every day to decompress, but find something that you love. Moderate exercise is proven to reduce stress hormones in the body, like adrenaline and cortisol.
• Drink plenty of water, read up on an anti-inflammatory diet, and implement what you learn.
• Put your phone down, turn off the news, and live in the moment (after you finish reading this)
• Get some sunshine. Yes, an esthetician is giving you permission to let the sun touch your body. Just not too much. Don’t burn. Maybe cover your face with a hat.