Stress can compromise the skin's function, weakening its defense mechanism. Skincare expert sheds light on the mind-skin connection and suggests remedies to achieve equilibrium between the two
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Sanika Borade, a 24-year-old marketing executive, was grappling with frequent job changes when she acquired heightened stress levels. The erratic career transitions had taken a toll on her well-being, leading to a myriad of symptoms she initially failed to connect.
Among these symptoms were breakouts and dull skin, which the Mumbai-based woman had been struggling to curb for over a year. However, a pivotal consultation with her dermatologist brought to light the underlying cause: increased cortisol levels (the body's response to stress) which had begun to disrupt her skin's natural balance. What followed was a breakthrough moment that finally resolved her skin woes.
To uncover how stress impacts skin's equilibrium, Midday, dialled up Malvika Jain, a skincare specialist and founder of Sereko, for her expert advice. Recognising the intricate interplay between stress levels and skin health, Jain shares with us a comprehensive approach to address both aspects to nurture skin health.
Does stress affect the skin’s well-being?
Stress has a significant impact on skin health through intricate physiological mechanisms, remarks Jain.
When stress hormones like cortisol surge in response to psychological stressors, they trigger a cascade of reactions in the body, including the skin. Increased cortisol levels disrupt the skin's natural balance by increasing oil production, leading to acne flare-ups and exacerbating conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Moreover, stress compromises the skin's barrier function, weakening its ability to defend against external aggressors like pollution and UV radiation, thus increasing susceptibility to skin damage and premature ageing.
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