Stress and your skin: Simple steps to help you regain balance

Feeling stressed? Any form of stress can take its toll on your skin. Stress puts your body in a fight-or-flight state, which increases cortisol levels. This hormone can worsen inflammation and thus affect your eczema, acne, or rosacea. Stress also has a general impact on your skin's health. It can weaken your skin barrier , cause dry skin , and reduce your skin's ability to regenerate .

Moreover, the solutions to stress we constantly encounter online—start exercising! Reduce screen time! Reduce negativity!—may not be very practical or feasible. This article discusses a few very simple actions you can take to reduce stress through mindfulness, as well as some simple skincare tips that won't overwhelm you.

What are things I can do in 5-10 minutes that will make me feel less stressed?

You can't always avoid daily stressors. While a yoga class or a massage are fantastic, they don't always fit your time and budget. The good news is that you don't have to make a huge investment of time to experience some stress relief. The following steps are small but powerful—small in time, but powerful because they can help you restore your sense of well-being and get back on track. The next time you're feeling stressed, try one of these techniques:

Take deep breaths: If you feel overwhelmed, stop what you're doing or simply close your eyes for a moment. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale calmly through your mouth. Repeat.

Stand up and stretch: When you sit, stand up and stretch a few times. Focus on the areas where you're experiencing tension. Try to touch the ceiling, roll your shoulders, and stretch your neck. Your movements don't have to be extreme to release the tension.

Get outside: If you can, take a 5-minute walk or just spend a few minutes outside. Getting outside gets your body moving and helps you shift your perspective.

Listen to relaxing music: Slow soothing sounds, nature sounds and calming music can help you relax.

If none of these appeal to you, there are several other tactics you can try, such as meditation, relaxation exercises, or positive self-reflection. The key is finding stress-relief techniques that work for you and then incorporating them into your daily routines so you can use them as needed.

How should I care for my skin when I'm stressed?

We live in a time with skin influencers everywhere and constantly changing skincare trends. Keeping up with them can be a lot of fun, but it can also add extra pressure, especially if you're already stressed.

In addition, if your skin is already experiencing the effects of stress, adding several new products can actually worsen skin irritations.

In times of stress, we recommend using at least the following essential products:

Gentle cleansing: Choose hypoallergenic, fragrance-free cleansers that remove dirt and oil without compromising your skin's natural moisture balance. Facial cleansers should be mild and free of harsh or drying ingredients. We recommend our gentle face wash and hydrating body wash , which are also available as a set . If you wear makeup, we also recommend our non-comedogenic makeup remover .

Microbiome-friendly day cream: Support your skin and your skin barrier by regularly applying Gladskin's Daily Care Cream .

Microbiome-balancing skincare: Struggling with eczema, rosacea, or acne-like skin conditions? Restore your skin microbiome with our Gladskin Rosacear*, Eczemact*, and Acnefekt* products . Choose the product that best suits your skin condition.

Gladskin: Skin care that doesn't make your stress worse

We know life can be stressful, and if you're feeling that way sometimes, we hope you can find some peace. In the meantime, Gladskin is here to make one thing easier: your skincare routine.

Our skincare products contain as few ingredients as possible to make it easy to choose what's best for your skin. Because they contain only the bare essentials, you can rest assured you're giving your skin exactly what it needs without worrying about the ingredients list.

Discover how Gladskin can support you in your quest for healthy skin by browsing our bestsellers .

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