Many women work long, arduous hours, both at home and in the workplace, so it’s easy for the associated stress to catch up with you. But beyond being bad for your overall health, stress can also be detrimental to your skin. Stress sends a litany of hormones into your body that can send your skin’s systems off kilter quickly.

One of the first signs of stress for many people is a break out. This is because your body releases an excess of the hormone cortisol when undergoing a stressful situation. The cortisol tells your glands to produce more oil than they normally would, which can trap acne-causing bacteria in your pores and lead to pimply, oily skin. The key here is to exfoliate regularly, so you can unclog pores and hydrate skin at the same time.

Hydration is an important component in fighting stressed out skin. Studies have shown that when women experience psychological stress, their skin dehydrates more easily than it normally would. So, if you’re working long hours or find your mind racing, and see your skin getting dry or flaky, be sure to up your hydration routine. Products with hyaluronic acid will work best in this case, as it allows your skin to absorb more water.

It’s easier said than done to be less stressed. But to work towards this less stressful lifestyle, be sure to take breaks throughout the day, practice deep breathing and eat a balanced diet. In an upcoming post, we’ll be sure to expand on these tips and give you more ways to relax and de-stress, so keep an eye out!