Got Stressed Face? Here’s What You Can Do About It

Stress is the great equalizer. Whether it stems from your career or your personal life, everyone experiences it to some extent. The great news? It can be a force of good! Research has actually found that reframing stress as a tool to help you cope with all the things on your plate can actually contribute to better performance and less procrastination, among other perks. [1]

Even so, as beneficial as it may be, stress can set manifest in your body, whether as an adrenaline-fueled rush before a 10K or the heart-pounding feeling when you crest the top of a roller coaster. And its effects can also be seen, literally, on your face. “Stress can affect the skin in a variety of ways, and usually manifests itself from an internal imbalance,” says NakedPoppy skin specialist Tara Parenti. In fact, studies have shown that multiple skin conditions, like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (a.k.a. eczema), and acne, may be either triggered or exacerbated by stress. 

Blame it on the domino effect that happens in your body. “With stress comes increased levels of hormones in the body,” says NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. “Recent studies have shown that skin reacts to the endocrine system’s stress response by activating the immune system, which can lead to a variety of skin problems.”

Happily, once you’re aware of how stress is contributing to that delightful new breakout, you’ll be better equipped to tackle it. With that in mind, we’re diving into the skin-stress connection — and what you can do for clear, healthy skin in the long run.

How does stress impact your skin?

The biggest way in which stress affects your skin? Acne — which might explain why putting in late nights at the office left you with a breakout on your skin. And science backs it up. “A 2003 study confirmed a correlation between stress levels and acne,” says Plescia. [2] While the biological explanations for this are TBD, the culprit seems to stem from hormonal changes. “Some scientists have found that increased hormones, such as glucocorticoids and adrenal androgens, which are known to worsen acne [by increasing oil production], are released during periods of emotional stress,” she says.

Then, there’s the inflammation factor, which can play a major role in triggering breakouts. “There is also research suggesting that stress-induced release of certain chemicals within the epidermis can activate inflammatory processes in the skin,” says Plescia, who notes that acne is one of them.

Aside from acne, stress can also do a number on your skin barrier, which is the foundation for skin protection, hydration, and overall health. And the evidence is enough to cause stress on its own, bringing this full circle. “Studies using mice found that stress in mice caused higher transepidermal water loss, lower water retention, and impaired barrier function, which led to slight wrinkles,” says Plescia. [3] “Similar effects have been studied with humans; one study found that final exam stress on students caused a compromised barrier function, increased cortisol levels, and activated several inflammation and immune response compounds.” [4]

On the flip side, however, that means that when you’re feeling zen, your skin is similarly calm and clear — which is why it’s worth taking the steps not only to address these effects, but also take your stress down a notch, too.

How to manage the signs of stressed face

To keep skin cool, calm, and collected, it helps to take an approach that addresses both the external and internal causes — in other words, tackling it via both your skincare routine and lifestyle habits. (FYI: If your skincare questions go way beyond stress, you’re in luck. Just take our easy, 3-minute quiz to get your personalized recs for your best skin yet.)

Use a face mask

Not only do face masks make for a welcome self-care moment, which can help you unplug from a busy day, but they also offer potent benefits for skin. “Face masks are often full of humectants and many beneficial ingredients,” says Plescia. “They are also a great way to maintain skin hydration as the prolonged application on the skin acts as an occlusive, allowing the ingredients to penetrate into the skin better.” Try Maya Chia The Refresh Mint Resurfacing Moisture Mask, which lightly exfoliates (more on that in a second) while replenishing hydration with hyaluronic acid.

Exfoliate wisely

In addition to hydrating face masks, “alpha hydroxy acids may be a perfect addition to help maintain an overall glow and counteract the effects of stress, including acne,” Plescia says. “For example, lactic acid can exfoliate the skin and hydrate the skin for that all-over skin glow — and can be used for the treatment of breakouts.”

Moisturize well

If you’re not yet using a skin barrier-focused product, now is the time to start. “Use ingredients that calm and soothe the skin, reduce heat and swelling, and repair the barrier,” Parenti says. For instance, she’s a fan of beta-glucan, which has been shown to encourage wound healing, as well as humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. You can find the latter in Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer, where it gets a soothing assist from calendula and arnica extracts.

Do a mini-massage

While doing gua sha or massaging skin with a face roller feels good in and of itself, it can also translate to real skin benefits. “Massaging the face with a gua sha or face roller can help relieve tension in the face muscles, help boost blood circulation, and even encourage lymphatic drainage to reduce bloat,” says Plescia. It also makes for a great ritual to help you unwind, even if you only have a minute or two to do so. (Hey, every second counts.)

Stay cool

Take a chill pill — figuratively. “Cryo globes have similar benefits as gua sha, including minimizing inflammation, reducing puffiness, and helping lymphatic drainage, but the addition of a cold surface area can also help to reduce redness and even pore size,” says Plescia. Their icy temps can help constrict blood vessels and thus can tighten and tone the skin appearance — in addition to helping to reduce swelling, inflammation, and even sebum production, she says.

Try a set like Jenny Patinkin Petite Cryo Glow Globes Set, which you just store in the fridge and use when you need it. If you’re a newbie, just do as much as you can handle to avoid overdoing it, says Parenti. “Five to 10 minutes is enough,” she says.

Take a deep breath…

Beyond your beauty routine, your everyday habits can also make a dent in your stress levels. Take, for instance, something as simple (and free) as breathing. “It helps to balance our nervous system by activating our parasympathetic nervous state, which oversees our ‘rest and digest’ and ‘feed and breed’ functions,” says Parenti. Pair it with an at-home facial for bonus relaxation points — but even if you do it in your car before heading into an office or grocery store, that works, too. As always, go with what’s right for you.

…of something good

If you’re going to be deep-breathing anyway, consider pairing it with a strategic scent. In fact, “studies have suggested that aromatherapy, especially lavender scents, can positively impact mental health via the limbic system,” Parenti says. “For example, clinical studies of lavender aromatherapy have been shown to significantly reduce stress in adolescents.” [5] Even other scents can have a benefit, though: The warm, uplifting blend of ginger and bergamot oils in our Radiance Body Oil, for instance, can make for a mindful moment at the start of your day — while also deeply nourishing skin.

Work it out

When you’re stressed, it can be tempting to go full couch-potato. (We get it.) But going for a walk, a run, or a quick yoga session can work wonders. “Exercising is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety and elevate our happy hormones,” says Parenti.

Plus, it can help with any stress-induced acne you may be dealing with. That’s because exercise can help decrease the hormone cortisol, or the ‘stress hormone’ that’s connected with the increased production of sebum,” Plescia explains. Since increased production of sebum is a big contributor to acne, reducing it via exercise could help address breakouts. It’s the best of both worlds: Clearer skin and, of course, a post-gym flush.

Eat a nutritious diet

When you’re already feeling overwhelmed, “certain dietary habits can increase stress and anxiety, such as caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, and processed foods,” says Parenti. “Limiting these food groups and eating whole foods as much as possible will not only help with stress management and mental health, but help in making your skin look clear, calm, and radiant.”

Plus, sticking with nutrient-dense fruits and veggies can help you manage breakouts, on which diet can have an outsized impact. “The consumption of refined sugar and processed carbohydrates can affect the hormone levels in your body, especially insulin levels,” Plescia says. “That leads to an increase of IGF-1 signaling and production. IGF-1, or the insulin-like growth factor is an important growth hormone during puberty and increases sebum levels.” And since excess sebum production is one of the factors behind acne, that can contribute to more breakouts. [6]

Finally, it’s worth taking a step back and seeing what’s contributing to the chronic stress that eventually appears on your face — since stress not only impacts skin, but the rest of your body as well. While the aesthetics of it might seem like the least important part, keep in mind that it can be good to start small. And if the path to less stress begins with face masks, cryo globes, and guided breathwork, then you’re already doing right by yourself — because you deserve nothing less.

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Shop the Story:

• Maya Chia The Refresh Mint Resurfacing Moisture Mask 🛀
• Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer 💧
• Jenny Patinkin Petite Cryo Glow Globes Set 💕
• Radiance Body Oil ✨