A major portion of the worldwide population suffers from anxiety and depression. Surprisingly, the majority of this population is women. So, it’s more important for women to invest in self-relieving activities like meditation, exercise, a healthy diet, journaling, yoga, and skincare.
Many dermatologists have proven that skincare reduces stress and mental fatigue in women. Regular skin care is a way to tell you respect yourself. It’s also associated with a better mood and overall stress management.
Want to know how? We have explained your answers in this blog post. You will learn how skin care improves your mood and how you can align your daily skincare with anti-stress activities.
How Stress Impacts the Skin?
High-stress levels increase the production of cortisol– a hormone responsible for stimulating psychological responses in our body. An uncontrolled or unexpected release of cortisol disrupts other hormones which in turn, increase sebum production in the body. This increased sebum is associated with sudden breakouts and other skin problems.
The endocrine system works well with the peace of body and mind. Stress, anxiety, and other worries disturb the normal functioning of this system. This gives rise to health conditions and skin concerns such as eczema, breakouts, or hair loss.
How Does Skincare Reduce Stress?
A mindful skincare routine improves your mental health. Researches show impressive impacts mindfulness, meditation, and self-care have on your mind and body. Skincare factors are also a part of it. Ever heard of meditative skincare? It can involve playing your favorite music with a deep focus on your skin routine. No matter how your skincare environment looks, spare some time to focus on YOU.
Increased Self Worth
When you suffer from stress or depression, you may feel worthless and unable to participate in a dedicated self-care routine. The reason is, you devote so much energy to self-pity that you are unable to do any other task.
In this case, a simple wash or moisturizer on your face can help you structure the whole day. You will feel confident and productive even when you feel tired and useless. Skincare refreshes your mood; and helps you feel good about yourself just like after a workout.
Improved Social Bonding
A radiant and shiny skin makes you more confident and attractive in social gatherings. People are attracted to confident and bright faces. Better skincare helps you engage with your friends and family without having to worry about facial judgments.
Can Skincare Improve your Mental Health?
Do you notice an improvement in mood after a skincare? If not, you haven’t been consistent probably.
Mindful skincare is a daily practice that improves your mood and confidence, and increases your worth. Once a week doesn’t produce the desired results. Morning and evening skincare routines not only protect your skin from environmental factors, but are necessary for emotional and mental health, too. So be consistent and see the results in bright, spotless skin.
It’s important to spare some moments for a sole focus on taking care of yourself. Life is not about the “Go, Go, Go.” It’s a combination of work and relaxation. Skincare is a great way to do the relaxation part. Even if you are travelling, you can pack the skincare products with you so that daily routine is not disturbed.
Why Skincare Reduces Mental Fatigue
Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist says: “Skincare is one of the first steps in my self-care routine. “Our skin is a checkpoint of our internal health. When my skin looks good, I feel better about myself,” she says.
This shows how your skincare is linked to mental well-being. Here is why:
Stability to Your Day
Healthy routines provide a structured day to your mind and body. “These include journaling, eating habits, exercise, and skincare,” says Matt Traube- a licensed skin care therapist in Santa Barbara, CA. “These routines can make you feel good and give you a sense of comfort in your daily life. They can help you feel grounded and bring stability to your day. Even small tasks can make you feel a sense of achievement,” she adds.
In a research paper released in the June 2018 edition of Lancet Psychiatry, it was discovered that individuals who lack regular routines during their daily activities experience major depressive and bipolar disorders, mood issues, loneliness, and unhappiness.
Less Time to Worry
There come days when you feel low and dominated by intrusive thoughts. Skincare helps break these negative thought patterns. “Many patients with anxiety and depression find that their symptoms worsen in the 30 min- 1 hr before bedtime. During this time, worries tend to increase for many individuals,” says Traube.
When you are busy with other activities like toning, washing, or moisturizing your face, you find no time to worry about what doesn’t matter.
Skincare is a mindful practice. Mindfulness means focusing on the sensations you feel in the present moment, without making any judgments. This practice was represented in the 2019 Frontiers in Psychology study to deal with anxiety and depression by stopping worry and pondering.
Improved Mood
An at-home facial or treatment can make you feel good even before it happens. “Expecting something enjoyable releases happy chemicals in your brain that improve your mood,” says Traube. Studies have revealed that thinking about a positive event can stimulate the prefrontal cortex, which is linked to happy feelings.
That’s why baths are so calming. When you take a bath, you naturally feel relaxed. Warm water helps in muscle relaxation, which then signals the brain to remain calm and peaceful. This reduces the stress response and helps you feel more at ease.
Conclusion
Although you can’t completely remove stress from your lives, there are simple daily habits that help reduce its impacts on mental health and skin. A regular eating and sleeping routine, and daily exercise like yoga and meditation help lower cortisol levels and inflammation.
Avoid touching your face to prevent acne breakouts. These small changes can make a big difference in stress management and healthy skin maintenance.
Do you experience a similar situation? How does your skincare help you get rid of daily life stress? Share with our community.
FAQs
How does skincare affect mental health?
Skincare increases your self-esteem, especially during tough times when you’re feeling down. Small steps like caring for yourself can help you push through and feel proud of what you’ve achieved.
How does stress affect beauty?
Stress makes the skin look tired and dull. When you’re stressed, your blood vessels tighten, which can decrease blood flow to the skin. This results in a lack of radiance. Stress can also affect the skin’s moisture levels, health, and vitality.
What is the psychology behind beauty?
Attractiveness increases our self-esteem. It’s important to us that others find us appealing. We all seem to have a common idea of what makes someone attractive because this is something we naturally think about.
