Ways Your Skin Reflects Your Stress

We've outlined five proven ways that mental, physical, and hormonal stress changes your skin.

1. Sun stress and exhausted skin defenses

A carcinogenic (cancer-causing) component of sun exposure, it can have a negative effect on the skin.

2. Inflammation and extra-irritated skin

Stress makes it harder for your skin to regulate and stay balanced

3. Increased oil production and acne

Stress can mix up our skin's nerve signals, causing imbalanced hormones and chemicals that increase oil production.

4. Thinner, more sensitive skin

The skin might get thinner in cases of abnormally high cortisol levels.

5. Delayed natural wound healing

In the face of severe stress, your epidermis can quickly become weakened, increasing your risk for infections and environmental pathogens.