If 2020 hasn’t been stressful enough, here come the holidays! Your skin is largely affected by stress, as your body’s response to stress includes the release a hormone called Cortisol. Cortisol plays a role in significant skin problems; it can cause your skin to become oily, dry and wrinkled; everything you don’t want (…which can lead to a cruel feedback loop inducing more stress.)
In normal times, chronic stress can be a massive problem. 2020 has been anything but normal, and may act as a stress intensifier, making it more important to be aware of the impact all this ambient stress may be having on your skin, and what you can do to alleviate this.
Amongst side-effects of stress, a primary concern is skin wrinkling. Chronic stress leads to your body releasing Cortisol, which can cause blood sugar levels to crash in a process called Glycation. Glycation can lead to the hardening and depletion of your body’s collagen, which can in turn cause fine lines and wrinkles.
Dry skin is also a known side effect of Cortisol in your body; Cortisol impacts the production of hyaluronic acid, your body’s natural moisturizer. This will make it increasingly difficult to maintain healthy hydration levels, ultimately leading to your skin becoming dry and damaged.
The release of Cortisol can also worsen any already existing skin conditions you may be experiencing, including psoriasis, acne or eczema. There’s an established correlation between flare-ups and stressful times (holidays, exams, tax time and more.)
Finally stress and Cortisol can induce your body’s production of Adrenaline. While Adrenaline is an absolute evolutionary advantage, improving athletic performance in fight or flight situations, over time it can also negatively impact your complexion. An adrenaline rush will constrict blood vessels and decrease the blood flow to your skin, depriving it of vital nutrients like oxygen. Over a long enough period, this will cause a build-up of toxins that lead to (potentially severe) break outs.
How do you de-stress and reclaim your healthy, glowing skin…especially in a furnace of chaos, like 2020? There are many proven strategies to help reap the benefits of enhancing your zen. Here are some we’ve found to be particularly effective:
Mirror Time! Whether your back to the office, or still working remotely, place a small mirror next to your laptop or desktop, to keep an eye on the expressions you make during the work day, and make a conscious effort to keep your face muscles relaxed, as much as possible, and avoid those self-inflicted worry lines.
Prioritize Daily Self-Care! No matter how hectic your schedule, make sure to keep some to yourself, for pampering whenever possible, or at least to just chill + decompress. Breathing, meditating and yoga can be potent, and all cost little or nothing.
Sleep! A naturally occurring psychedelic, sleep is the most organic and economical narcotic available. It’s also essential to vibrant, healthy skin; during sleep, your body sheds dead skin cells and balances hydration levels. The sleep deprived, generally defined as those getting less than 6 hours a night, can suffer circles under their eyes, inflammation and premature aging of the skin.
If you aren’t already, exfoliate your skin two or three times a week, and try a Bio-Revitalizing product to replenish and revitalize your skin. Fillerina offers an array of Bio-Revitalizing maintenance cremes specialized for day, night, eyes and lips.
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Avoid processed and fried foods wherever possible, and be aware of the amount of sugar in your diet. Avoid excess sugar as much as possible. And as cliché as it may sound, opt for water as much as you can. Coffee and tea are obviously better than soda or energy drinks, but water is better for you than all of them. Mixing plenty of water with Fillerina creams and Treatments activate and work directly with the Active Hyaluronic Acid Molecules the products re-deposit into your skin.
Also, regular sheet masking can help your skin look its best, and do wonders for the whole face. Fillerina Plumping System 932 Bio-Revitalizing masks employ Trans dermic technology and cell building formula full of potent Amino Acids, Vitamins,Trace Elements (Oxygen levels) and cell repair ingredients.