What Does Stress Do to Your Skin? Experts Weigh In

8 Ways Stress Affects Your Skin

1. It Causes Breakouts

When you are stressed, your bodies release a pesky little stress hormone known as cortisol. Maybe you’ve heard of it on TikTok? What, with everyone talking about cortisol face and belly? If not, all you need to know is that the production of cortisol when you’re stressed also increases oil production. “Stress ramps up oil production and inflammation, a perfect storm for breakouts, especially if you’re already acne-prone,” Harvard-certified skin expert Susie Spring tells IPSY.

So yes, stress-induced acne is a real thing. Some of the best ways to treat it are with skincare products that contain benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, or AHAs. Also be sure to keep your hands off your face and see a dermatologist if nothing seems to be working.

2. It Impacts Eczema or Psoriasis Flare-Ups

You can also blame your cortisol levels for this one, as it makes skin more reactive and increases inflammation. This, in turn, can lead to flare-ups for various skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. “I used to get weekly eczema flare-ups during times of intense stress, especially when my lifestyle and skincare were not ideal,” shares Spring.

Creating the right stress-reducing skincare routine can help with that, which we’ll get into in just a sec. In the meantime, remember to use eczema-friendly products like the SKINFIX Eczema+ Dermatitis Face Balm. Products containing squalane or oat are also great for eczema and psoriasis. When it comes to rosacea, we find ourselves reaching for the DR. BRANDT SKINCARE Cool Biotic Prebiotic Redness Relief Cream for its relieving properties.

3. It Weakens the Skin Barrier

It should come as no surprise, after hearing the above ways your skin can respond to stress, that it also weakens the skin barrier. “When we have constant increased stress levels, it impairs barrier function, making the skin more reactive to the environment,” Jan Marini, founder of MARINI SKINSOLUTIONS™, says.

TikTok swears by something known as “skin flooding” to improve your skin barrier, whereas we’ve been a fan of the DR.JART+ Ceramidin™ Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream for as long as we can remember. Do with that information what you will.

4. It Leads Skin to Heal Slower

Not only can your body’s response to stress cause less-than-healthy skin, but it also makes it more difficult for timely wound healing. “When you’re stressed, your body’s ability to repair itself slows down,” says Spring. “You might notice that blemishes or irritation take longer to heal, and be more prone to getting PIE (post-inflammatory erythema) or PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), for example.”

Products containing hyaluronic acid and tranexamic acid work wonders for fading PIE. You can treat PIH a number of ways—here are a few recommendations from the experts.

5. It Makes Skin Look Dull and Tired

Stress can impact your sleep, which does not bode well for your complexion. “Lack of sleep and increased inflammation caused by stress can affect blood flow, which gives the skin a dull or uneven appearance,” Spring tells us. Fun. Thankfully, we have a handful of expert tips on how to brighten your skin, so you need not fret. You can even incorporate products like the ODACITÉ Brightening Serum, Vitamin C and E + Hyaluronic Acid, and the ACEOLOGY Brightening Treatment Mask into your routine to kick dull skin to the curb.

6. It Brings on Under-Eye Puffiness and Dark Circles

“Poor sleep, fluid retention, and inflammation can make the eyes look more tired, puffy, or dark, and stress is usually a big driver behind all three,” stresses Spring. While getting adequate sleep and drinking plenty of water are good ways to combat eye puffiness and dark circles, that’s easier said than done. Sometimes you want a product that will do the work for you. The SYMBIOSIS SKINCARE De-Puffing & Dark Circles Relief Eye Serum is ready to come to your aid. And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, these 20 eye creams can also help.

7. It Leads to Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Marini tells us that “chronic stress can cause an increased lessening of collagen and elastin. This can result in more fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.” Thank goodness the experts shared ways to maintain your skin’s elasticity for years to come. Some of their recommendations for turning the clock back on skin aging include wearing sunscreen (duh), exercising regularly, eating healthy, and using products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and antioxidants.

8. It Creates Dryness

A less-talked-about skin issue brought on by stressors is dryness. While cortisol increases oil production, which can cause acne, it also can make you sweat more, leading to moisture loss and dry skin. You may notice this more in the colder months when your body experiences a stress response to the change in weather. Treating dry skin requires patience and lots and lots of moisturizer, among a few other recs from the experts.

6 Ways to Combat the Effects of Stress on Your Skin

1. Personalize Your Skincare Routine

Your everyday routine will likely need to be updated to target the stress-related skin problem you’re struggling with. If you’re noticing more fine lines and wrinkles, build an anti-aging skincare routine. Some home remedies for wrinkles include using a retinol like DERMELECT Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum, hydrating with water and nourishing skincare products, and using an LED therapy device like the DERMALACTIVES Light Therapy LED Mask 7-in-1.

When your fight or flight kicks in and you notice stress blemishes popping up, it’s time to reach for the MURAD Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment to keep breakouts at bay. We also recommend using the MURAD Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser daily for your skin’s health. With 1.5% encapsulated salicylic acid, this cleanser gently clears clogged pores to get rid of blackheads, whiteheads, and even cysts.

Marini swears by the MARINI SKINSOLUTIONS Skin Care Management System™ for all skin types because it “will greatly minimize how stress affects common skin concerns.”

2. Avoid Harsh Skincare Products

Active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and others are best to be avoided if you’re experiencing rashes, hives, or any other inflamed skin issues. Don’t forget to avoid fragrances, sulfates, and alcohol in your skincare products. Turning to hypoallergenic skincare during this time is something we suggest doing because these products generally omit all the irritants that would aggravate your skin.

Spring recommends avoiding harsh exfoliants and retinoids so as not to exacerbate the issue. “You can always come back to those when your skin is feeling stronger,” she notes. Spring is a fan of the CAUDALIE VinoHydra collection because it’s formulated with sensitive skin in mind, making it the ideal routine for maintaining your skin’s well-being.

3. Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is always recommended for stress management. And no, you don’t need to be in the gym for eight hours every day to reap the rewards for your mental health. Spring says, “I recommend at least 30 minutes a day of movement, even if that’s two 15-minute walks, especially good if you do it just after a meal to support digestion and skin health.” One tool we’ve been loving is the MAJI SPORTS Exercise Bar. It makes exercising on the go easy and contains everything you need for a complete at-home workout. Should you decide to visit a gym, don’t forget to pack these 10 gym bag beauty essentials.

4. Pay Attention to Your Diet

Apart from ensuring you’re using the right skincare products, Marini says it’s critical you focus on your diet for your skin and overall health. “You can help manage stress by eating a ‘skin-friendly’ diet, which includes protein, vegetables, and leafy greens. Avoiding sugar and highly-refined complex carbs is important, as these dietary ‘no-nos’ can exacerbate acne and aging even without added stress.” Try incorporating superfoods like watermelon, avocado, and kale into your diet to maintain healthy skin. You can even reduce the effects of sugar on your skin by following these steps. We can’t forget about protein! Our fave way to add it into our diet is with the TEAMI Wellness Protein Vanilla. We’ll toss it into a smoothie with other skin-loving ingredients, or on days when we’re rushed for time, we simply mix it with water.

5. Prioritize Sleep

We know that telling you to get more rest is easier said than done, but it’s so important to every aspect of your health. “Good quality sleep is one of the most underrated beauty tools we have,” Spring reminds us. When you’re stressed out, getting sleep may be more difficult. Some products we use to help us get rest include the THIS WORKS Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, C-WONDER Sleep Lodge Kit, and SCENTERED SLEEP WELL Wellbeing Ritual Aromatherapy Balm. All help relax us before bed so we get better sleep.

6. Build a Stress-Relieving Routine

Whether it’s taking a hot bath to calm your nervous system (don’t forget the MIDNIGHT PALOMA Lavender + Chamomile Calming Bath Soak) or practicing deep breathing, prioritizing relaxation techniques can help you navigate the most stressful moments with ease. Spring is all about finding your calming ritual. “For me, that can be yoga, reading, or even watching a favorite TV show guilt-free,” she says. “Do what helps you truly unplug. It's about understanding what you work for you.” That will look different for everyone and may require some trial and error, but there’s something that will bring your blood pressure down when life seems to be coming for you. When in doubt, embrace mindfulness for healthier skin.