As advertisements often like to remind us, 2020 has been filled with unprecedented times. And with these times, there has been an increase in stress added to our daily lives. Affecting more than just our blood pressure, these long term stressors can have a variety of effects on our skin, none of which are typically good. For those of us working on the frontlines, the effects of this stress is not only magnified, but exacerbated by the constant presence of masks. As a small token of our appreciation, we sent out care packages to some of our healthcare heroes to help them alleviate these issues. Here are some tips for both those on the frontlines, along with the rest of us for dealing with the cause and effects of this newly introduced stress. 

How it affects your skin 
For our ancestors, stress was caused by imminent danger that took the form of a hungry predatory animal or threat of starvation. While today, our stress response may be a little less urgent to our survival, it is still very much there and increases with big life changes such as health issues, loss of job, or trying to juggle homeschooling with working from home. Stress causes your body to increase both adrenaline and cortisol levels, which is essentially like your built-in alarm system. These increases can lead to outbreaks of acne, hives, and rashes, and in the long term cause a breakdown in collagen and hyaluronic acid production upping the likelihood of fine lines and wrinkles. Stress can also aggravate pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis and go as far as altering the way your skin responds to your everyday skincare routine. While you can’t avoid it completely, there are ways you can better handle these big life stressors. 

Make time for yourself
Even if they’re outside of your typical routine, try practicing yoga, deep breathing, or meditation. Devoting just ten minutes to any of those activities or taking a short walk can do wonders for your mental health. Taking a bath, putting on a face mask, or even just listing things you are grateful for can also help put you into a good headspace. 

Get sleep 
Although tossing and turning unfortunately goes hand-in-hand with stress, there are ways to combat sleeplessness. Turn off your electronics, create a cool, dark environment, and focus in on your breath while laying in bed. Setting an earlier bedtime to allow your body additional rest is also very helpful. 

Keep up with your routine 
In times of stress, it’s easy to neglect routine. While exercising, reaching for healthier options, and drinking water might be the last thing on your mind, doing so will make a world of difference in combating these mental and physical effects. Your skin is looking for any excuse to act up, so keeping these consistent, along with your skincare routine will help prevent flare ups. 

While you should always use your Deminuage NanoPen daily, it is now that it is key in helping make the active ingredients within your serums more effective. And since it may not be top of mind or a priority, you may want to set an alarm as a reminder. Please note, if your skin has a tendency to overreact to your normal products and develop rashes and hives during stress, test a small section of skin first to ensure you won’t develop irritation. If you are wearing masks, check out our blog post on how to alter your skincare routine here. 

Listen to your body 
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, eliminate any unnecessary obligations from your life. It’s okay to say no to things, especially now. Talk to your friends, family or seek out a therapist. A good glow comes from within and while having good skin is an added bonus, getting yourself in a healthy mindset is even more important.