Stress โ itโs pretty much inevitable these days. When things get on top of us, it can leave us not only feeling frayed, but looking it too. How many of us could spontaneously pack ourselves off for a week of spiritual hermitage, yoga and meditation in Goa to clear our head? Exactly, itโs not feasible for most. Well fret not, if you canโt book that flight and jet off for recorporation, let us bring simple stress-busting skin-pampering fixes to you…
Itโs been known for a long time that the nervous system, which processes our stress, has an impact on skin conditions.
Much of said stress is work-related due to undue pressures and demands placed on us. By its very nature, stress is difficult to measure (in 2014/15 stress accounted for 35% of all work related ill health cases, according to Health & Safety Executive, FYI). With this in mind itโs hardly surprising that this, in turn, has a physical influence on our appearance.
โYour stress unleashes chemicals that make your skin think itโs under attack. Since there arenโt any real โattackers,โ your skin gets confused and starts to attack itself, meaning healthy skin cells get damaged,โ says Tom Mammone, Executive Director Skin Physiology and Pharmacology Clinique Worldwide.
The key is to know how to deal with work stress in order to boost both the body and spirit. So, improve a negative mindset and add calm to your appearance by considering your daily skincare routine and looking to the beauty brands that have formulated face-saving products:
What: Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash (ยฃ19.50, marksandspencer.com)
Why: This contains two ingredients to help calm your complexion: White willow bark, an anti-irritant which helps reduce redness, control oil and Icelandic kelp – known to fight inflammation and provide nutritive support for healthy thyroid function.
What: Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cream Mask (ยฃ32.50, jurlique.co.uk)
Why: This rich hydrating treatment mask helps improve skin dehydration while providing essential protection against environmental aggressors. It contains a blend of ingredients designed to aid in overall skin wellness – shea butter, avocado, and macadamia oils smooth the skin whilst silica and mica aim to give your complexion a light-diffusing effect.
What: Kiehls Skin Rescuer (ยฃ29.50, Kiehls.co.uk)
Why: Formulated with balancing rosa gallica botanical extract, mannose (a barrier protecting rare sugar), and chamomile, it soothes and calms irritated skin, reduces wrinkles, Eczema, acne and helps heal capillaries. Clinical results showed that 100% of those tested showed a significant improvement in overall skin quality, dryness and blotchiness.
What: Erborian Sleeping BB Mask (ยฃ36, uk.spacenk.com)
Why: Who says your skincare routine has to stop when you go to sleep? Good for revitalising highly fatigued skin; this night mask โcocoonโ is active during your sleep thanks to high concentrations of omega fatty acids which help tone and soften skin. Use two times per week, in periods of stress/weariness to maximise the benefits of ingredient Schizanda, credited with increasing glow and clearing up blemishes โ โthe herb that does it allโ.
What: Orico Streetwise City Face Scrub (ยฃ16, oricolondon.co.uk)
Why: In an ideal world, we remove the cityโs grime as soon as we get home with a thorough cleanse. The Orico range has been specifically developed with urban living in mind. Their purifying facial polish is formulated with a detoxifying blend of Coconut Shell Powder and Tangerine oil to gently yet deeply cleanse and replenish city-exposed skin by stimulating circulation, boost cell turnover, unclogs pores and remove the dayโs impurities.
