STRESS AFFECTS YOUR SKIN: MENTAL HEALTH AND NATURAL SKINCARE

Get ready for an interview that will make you rethink many things. In " Today we talk with..." , we have a conversation that is rarely discussed, but is crucial: the powerful connection between your mind and your skin .

Did you know that stress and emotions can manifest on your face? Together with psychologists Jessica Moraleda and Olga Jastrzebska , directors of Enlaza Psicología in Getafe (Madrid) , we will explore how your mental health can affect the health of your skin in ways you may never have considered.

Jessica and Olga will share their expert opinions and offer practical tools to improve the appearance and health of your skin, not only with natural and vegan products like those from OhMyKoko, but also from an emotional balance . This comprehensive approach could completely transform your skincare routine!

AS PSYCHOLOGISTS WITH WIDE AND VARIED EXPERIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LINK BETWEEN STRESS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS IN GENERAL?

Stress has a noticeable impact on physical health, something we frequently observe in our practice as psychologists. When we face stressful situations, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and histamine . In the short term, these hormones have an adaptive role: they prepare the body to act quickly in the face of a perceived threat. This is what we call the “fight or flight response,” which can be useful in specific risky situations, helping to keep us alert and protect us.

However, when stress is continuous, that is, when we deal with chronic stress, the effect on the body is much more harmful. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can overload the immune system , weakening it and making us more vulnerable to disease. In this sense, chronic stress has been shown to contribute to a wide variety of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, digestive problems and even sleep disturbances . But one of the most visible impacts that stress has on the body is at the skin level .

IN YOUR CONSULTATION, YOU HAVE SEEN HOW CHRONIC STRESS CAN MANIFEST ITSELF IN THE BODY AND IN PARTICULAR, IN THE SKIN. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE OBSERVED?

In our consultations, we frequently see how chronic stress manifests itself in the body, with the skin being one of the first places where these signs appear. People who suffer from prolonged stress often experience a worsening of previous dermatological problems or the development of new ones . Below, we tell you about the most common manifestations of stress on the skin:

• Acne breakouts: Cortisol, released during stress, increases sebum production in the skin's glands, leading to clogged pores and eventually acne breakouts.

• Dermatitis: Stress can trigger episodes of dermatitis, characterized by inflammation, redness and itching. These symptoms are especially common in people with sensitive skin or a history of allergies.

• Psoriasis: This autoimmune condition is aggravated by stress, which affects the immune system, causing scaly, red patches to appear on the skin.

• Rosacea: Stress can make rosacea worse, causing persistent redness and the appearance of papules or pimples.

• Hives: Episodes of intense stress can lead to hives, a skin reaction that causes itchy bumps or welts.

• Redness and allergic reactions: Stress makes the skin more reactive, which can trigger allergic reactions, itching and redness, even without a clear allergen.

• Hyperpigmentation: Stress can affect melanin production, which can lead to brown spots on the skin.

• Premature aging: Chronic stress accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and loss of firmness in the skin, resulting in premature aging.

• Dry skin: Stress can affect the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness and flaking.

• Bags and dark circles: Lack of sleep, often associated with stress, contributes to the appearance of bags and dark circles, making the skin look dull and tired.

These manifestations remind us that stress not only affects our mind, but has a direct and visible impact on the health of our skin . That is why we insist on addressing health in a comprehensive way, managing stress and paying attention to the physical signals that the body sends us.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS PSYCHOLOGISTS, WHY DO YOU THINK STRESS HAS SUCH AN IMPACT ON THE SKIN?

The skin, being our largest organ and a fundamental physical barrier, immediately reflects our emotional state. It is full of nerve endings that respond directly to stress, making it a very sensitive organ to our emotions. When we are under stress, the body releases hormones such as cortisol, which not only increase sebum production, causing acne, but can also cause inflammation and imbalances in the skin . This makes it more vulnerable to conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, or hives, and generates greater sensitivity and reactivity .

In addition, chronic stress not only affects the skin at a hormonal level, but also influences our behaviour. People tend to scratch or touch themselves continuously, which aggravates skin lesions. Added to this is the fact that lack of sleep , very common in stressful situations, prevents the skin from regenerating properly, which causes a dull appearance, dark circles, premature wrinkles and dryness . In short, the skin acts as a faithful mirror of our emotional and physical state, clearly showing the effects of stress on our body.

WHAT ROLE DOES SELF-CARE, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL, PLAY IN REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON THE SKIN?

Self-care, both physical and mental, is essential to reduce stress and its effects on the skin . Practicing meditation, eating a balanced diet, exercising and taking time for yourself can help reduce cortisol levels. In addition, taking care of your skin through a kind and conscious routine helps create a space for relaxation and connection with yourself.

AT OHMYKOKO WE ARE COMMITTED TO NATURAL AND VEGAN PRODUCTS THAT SEEK PERSONAL AND PLANETARY WELL-BEING. FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO YOU THINK THAT THE USE OF NATURAL PRODUCTS CAN INFLUENCE HOW WE FEEL MENTALLY, IN ADDITION TO BENEFITTING OUR SKIN?

You are experts in this and I think you certainly know the benefits of using natural cosmetics for our skin. As for the impact this has on people's mental health, we believe it has to do above all with living according to our values . One of the things that causes the greatest internal conflict for people is leading a life that is not aligned with the values ​​that are important to us, such as respect for the environment or for animals.

We believe that in the end, at OhMyKoko you have created a very powerful brand that highlights these values ​​and that you try to transmit as much as possible, and there is the relationship with mental health, in consuming what aligns with the life you want to lead .

WHAT ARE YOUR KEY TIPS FOR THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF STRESS AND STARTING TO NOTICE CHANGES IN THEIR SKIN?

What we always tell our patients is that when the body has somatic symptoms, it is trying to tell us something and we have to give voice to what it wants to tell us, because otherwise it will give us signals in the form of psychosomatic symptoms, such as those we have discussed above.

We recommend that people who are experiencing changes in their skin and believe it is due to stress stop, listen to their body and find out what they need at that moment to feel better .

In addition, it is essential to take care of the skin with the right products for each skin type, but always keeping in mind that the origin of the problem may be psychological . In these cases, it would also be advisable to seek professional help to manage stress or underlying emotional problems that may be affecting both the mind and the skin. For this, we recommend going to therapy for anxiety .

WHAT ROLE COULD A NATURAL SKINCARE ROUTINE PLAY IN RELIEVING DAILY STRESS?

For mental health , it is essential to have moments of self-care , a word that more and more people are incorporating into our vocabulary and our daily lives. We believe that a skincare routine can often be a moment to take care of ourselves , to take a few minutes to stop and pay attention to the needs of our skin .

We highly recommend that patients look for ideas for self-care in their daily lives and to connect with their body , and skincare is one of the ideas that most often occur to people. As long as skincare is done from a place of self-care, and not from an obsession, it is an excellent way to reduce stress and connect with oneself.

AT OHMYKOKO WE TALK A LOT ABOUT "SKIN ACTIVISM" . DO YOU THINK THAT TAKING CARE OF OUR SKIN WITH NATURAL PRODUCTS CAN ALSO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH?

Taking care of our skin with natural products is a form of activism because it reflects a conscious decision to respect our body and the environment . This type of care fosters a healthier relationship with ourselves, in which we prioritize what is natural and ethical , which also has a positive impact on mental health. By choosing products that align with our values ​​and principles, we reinforce our self-esteem and emotional well-being , as we feel in harmony with what we believe in.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU CONSIDER THE CONNECTION BETWEEN A CONSCIOUS LIFE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE CARE OF OUR SKIN AND WELL-BEING?

Conscious living involves being mindful of our daily choices, from what we eat to how we care for our skin . We believe that when we take this holistic approach, we not only improve our skin, but we also promote our overall health. Holistic care is an extension of this lifestyle, where we seek balance between the physical, emotional, and mental . It’s a way to promote deeper, longer-lasting well-being.

FINALLY, WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE US TO ALSO ACHIEVE "MENTAL BEAUTY"?

“Beauty” has been something that has brought great complications and headaches to people. In the end, “beauty” is a broad and subjective concept that varies according to culture and time, and is not limited only to the physical, although many times it seems to have been linked to it.

For us, “mental beauty” could refer to feeling an inner harmony that comes from living according to our values ​​and cultivating emotional well-being . This involves accepting who we are, developing our self-knowledge, and practicing gratitude. True beauty is not only what we see on the outside, but what we feel and project by being at peace with ourselves, and that inner peace is clearly reflected in our skin and in the way we relate to the world.

Furthermore, when we talk about mental beauty, we also think about the ability to enjoy beauty beyond the physical, to appreciate life with a curious, compassionate and grateful gaze. Maintaining a balanced mindset and taking care of our emotions allows us to project an authentic and profound beauty that goes beyond traditional aesthetic standards.