Did you know Stress affects our Skin? The Link Between Mental Health And Our Skin

One significant yet often overlooked aspect is the connection between our mental health and physical health—particularly skin health. I have researched how our skin and mental state influence one another and what we can do to take care of ourselves both inside and out, as well as techniques to beat stress.

Understanding the Brain-Skin Connection

Have you noticed that your skin appears less vibrant when you're not feeling your best? We get stressed our skin takes it badly. Our mind, gut and skin are connected. It stems from a well-documented connection between our mental state and skin conditions. 

The science part

This is known as the brain-skin connection, and the field that studies this interaction falls under psychodermatology.

“Recognising that the body and mind are interconnected is the first step in managing skin-related stress,” explains Dr. Thomson from Skin+Me. He notes, “Skin conditions can be exacerbated by stress, and conversely, stress can intensify mental health issues, creating a cyclical relationship."

This connection implies that conditions like psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and eczema can worsen due to stress, while those same skin issues can further increase psychological distress.

Recent studies reveal that stress activates a complex physiological response involving our immune system, brain, and skin. When stressed, our body produces cortisol—known as the stress hormone—which can lead to heightened inflammation, reduced moisture levels in the skin, and flare-ups of various skin conditions.

Too much cortisol in the body can overwhelm sebaceous glands, leading to clogged pores and increased acne. Additionally, cortisol inhibits the production of hyaluronic acid, essential for maintaining skin elasticity and softness. The resulting decrease can make our skin more susceptible to aging signs, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Given these challenges, it's no surprise that people may become more stressed when they observe changes in their complexion. Dr. Thomson highlights that struggling with a skin condition can significantly impact our mental health, noting that a clear connection exists between skin issues and higher incidence rates of anxiety and depression.

Adopting a Holistic Approach to Well-being

Too much cortisol wears down our hearts and ability to think clearly. Stress can rob us of our well-being. Integrating some stress-management tools, including meditation, physical exercise, relaxation breathing, journaling - and of course eating well and getting enough rest. Here are a few steps that have helped me boost my mood and promote healthier skin.

Firstly, looking at what has caused me stress in the first place, seeking support when I am unable to use self care management tools. I dedicate each week some "me" time to recharge my spirit, whether it's spending time outdoors in nature (I love a Dolly dog walk), exercising (body balance for me!), or connecting with loved ones.

I look at my diet and try to eat whole foods removing refined sugar/processed foods, ensuring sufficient sleep with a bedtime routine. I have found my mental and skin health improve significantly, I used to suffer with peri-oral dermatitis and it was causing me to be so deflated and lack of confidence to show up not feeling my best. Maintaining a lifestyle balance improves all areas of physical and mental wellbeing for me. 

Starting a journal to express my feelings has helped me I sit on a Sunday and anchor my thoughts ready for the week ahead or releasing the week prior on paper. Remember that thoughts aren't always facts; treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. Sharing your feelings with loved ones can offer additional support, and seeking professional guidance is always an option if necessary.

When it comes to skincare, I don't know about you but I have been overwhelmed especially recently on whats on the market and what to do especially with ageing skin. Adopting a straightforward yet effective routine can help tackle breakouts and flare-ups. A plant powered based skincare regimen tailored to your specific skin needs can be invaluable as you help alleviate any frustrating skin conditions. 

Sweet Almond carrier all is great for all skin types, it helps you rebuild your skin's protective layer and mimic the skin’s natural sebum production and doesn't clog pores. Also helping us combat wrinkles and dry skin. Blend with your chosen Essential Oils for extra Plant Power! 

Essential Oils boost the healing properties of your skin oil and have regenerating and toning properties. Not only are they easily absorbed into your skin, but they also improve the texture, feel, AND look of your skin! To blend your own (also knowing there are no nasties) by popping essential oil drops into the carrier oil depending on what your skin requires. An example below of what to blend for what skin support you may require and more information here.

By prioritising our well-being holistically, we not only nourish our skin but also cultivate a healthier mindset.

Essential Oils for skin support 

• Peppermint essential oil improves circulation. It helps to cool the skin,  to soothe inflammation, irritation and itchiness on skin.
• Geranium essential oil helps our patience and serenity and brings balance with our hormones. Is natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory oil, it actively boosts skin's health and natural glow. By helping skin stay conditioned, and soothing irritated or breakout prone skin, it fights against skin affected by harsh weather conditions or prone to acne.
• Eucalyptus essential oil reduces inflammation and helps breathing. Can help cleanse the epidermis, ridding the pores of harmful impurities that can contribute to breakouts, pigmentation and dull skin
• Tea Tree essential oil is a natural choice for anti-allergy and building immunity, keeping skin, hair and nails healthy. It may help treat certain skin conditions, including acne, itching, and oily skin.
• Lavender essential oil has pain relief and calming properties. It reduces irritation and relaxes breathing. Did you know Vitamin A is lavenders super power? Which helps boost skin collagen. It gently moisturises skin, and is non-comedogenic for pores. Lavender oil is naturally antibacterial, meaning that it kills acne-causing bacteria that might infiltrate your pores. This makes the purple flower perfect for preventing, calming, and healing painful acne breakouts.
• Frankincense essential oil is helpful for focus and aiding in relaxation and calmness.   With powerful anti-inflammatory properties, Frankincense Essential Oil is an effective natural remedy to calm the complexion. For irritated or damaged skin, Frankincense Oil restores the epidermis and calms affected areas. For sunburn, rosacea or breakouts, this healing element soothes and nourishes the skin. Can reduce fine lines and scar tissue as well as soothe blemishes and calm inflammation, with an earthy, woodsy aroma.
• Orange essential oil’s best used for a vitamin c boost, to calm anxiety and help regulate emotions with its uplifting effects. Helps promote clarity, fights inflammation and acne, and keeps our skin fresh.

A calm mind creates calm skin, using natural essential oils, not only smell great but can heal our mind and create a glowing skin that shows. Want to find out more about essential oils and skincare? Jade Shutes a clinical aromatherapist I am studying with has a brilliant podcast episode on this listen here

Using Essential Oils for stress

It's not surprising that people are looking for new treatments when you consider that we've seen a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dr Rangan Chatterjee is one of the most influential medical doctors in the UK, a professor of health communication and education at the University of Chester, and the host of the popular Feel Better, Live More podcast.

He explains how stress first evolved to help keep us alive and why it’s become a significant problem in the modern world. 

At 9 minutes and 15 seconds, Rangan outlines some of the shocking health effects of long-term stress. To go straight there, follow this link.

Aromatherapy is mostly used as a solution to calming nerves. But do essential oils work? Are essential oils safe? And do essential oils actually have health benefits?

First, let’s start with the basics: What is aromatherapy? it is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic purposes. Essential oils, which she describes as “plant-created volatile compounds extracted through distillation,” can be used mainly through inhalation or massaged into the skin. For more information please read our beginners guide

FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY, TISSERAND SAYS, SMELLING AN ESSENTIAL OIL CAN BE USED ALONG WITH OTHER STRATEGIES THAT HELP GROUND SOMEONE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT. “FOR A MORE LONG-TERM ANXIETY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, PEOPLE CAN USE ESSENTIAL OILS AS A MEANS TO CREATE A MENTAL ANCHOR,” SHE SAYS. “THEY USE AN ESSENTIAL OIL OR A BLEND AROUND A TIME WHEN THEY FEEL CALM AND RELAXED, WHETHER IT’S WHEN THEY ARE SITTING OUTSIDE AND DRINKING TEA OR WHEN THEY ARE WITH FRIENDS AND FEEL HAPPY AND SAFE. THEY CAN THEN HARNESS THE SMELL WHEN THEY DON’T FEEL WELL. JUST EXPERIENCING THE SMELL CAN TRIGGER A MEMORY AND BRING SOMEONE BACK TO THAT HAPPY PLACE.”

This positive association to a particular smell may help someone become at ease if they are trying to ground themselves while suffering from an anxiety attack. “When we inhale essential oils, especially certain ones that can create a sense of calm and peace, these oils can quickly stimulate our bodies to influence our emotions through olfactory receptors in our nose that can stimulate the brain in 22 seconds,” Jaclyn Tolentino, senior doctor at Parsley Health. “Essential oils used via aromatherapy can also have an effect on the body’s endocrine system. For example, the cortisol hormone is often heightened during anxiety, and a series of slow breaths with the aroma of an essential oil can calm down the cortisol response (the stress hormone) and create a grounding and soothing effect.”

How can I use Oils at home?

WELLBEING NEED OIL SETS

Tips & Tricks: 

• Diffuser: Add 5-8 drops to 100ml cool water in your diffuser. Or use with other BCALM organic pure essential oils, to blend some magic depending on your mood! Start with our signature day or night scent for inspiration. 
• Pillow talk: A few drops of oil on your pillow will help relax and help you drift off to sleep
• Quick fix: A few deep inhalations from the bottle can help when you are at work, in the car or anytime you need a quick break.
• Inhalation: Place 3-4 drops on a tissue and breathe deeply for maximum benefits or place in a bowl of hot water and inhale. Some oxide rich oils are irritants to asthmatics, the eucalyptus family, tea-tree and some of the tree oils. Please speak with a clinical aromatherapist if you have asthma or a respiratory condition. Asthmatics must not use the water inhalation method. Our diffuser keyring or bamboo inhaler for inhalation.
• Shower: Add 2-3 drops to the corner of the shower and enjoy the benefits of steam inhalation.
• Bath: Add 2-3 drops (or more) diluted in a carrier oil or salts (like our bath brew). The BCALM bath brew is filled with rose buds, lavender, orange peel, epsom and pink himalayan salt. Stir the water to disperse the blend and relax in the bath for at least 10 minutes. For children under the age of 12, use 2-3 drops of essential oils. Do not drop neat essential oils neat into a bath of water.

• Topically: Mix 15-30 drops (5-10%) with 10ml carrier oil (sweet almond recommended) and apply to wrists, chest or back of the neck. Can aid healing of bruises if applied twice a day to the area. For a headache place on the neck, temples and hairline to help. Our Roller ball to apply topically.  Face Oil 9/18 EO drops in 15ml carrier oil or Body Oil 15/30 EO drops in 150 ml carrier oil.
• Hand or foot bath: Add 2 drops to a bowl of water.
• Compress: Add 2 drops to a bowl of water. For treating inflammation or to cool down use cold to room temperature water. For aching tight muscles use warm to hot water. Agitate a face cloth in the water, wring out excess moisture and apply cloth to the affected area. Repeat two or three times as the compress cools down or warms up.
• Steam Treatment: Add 2 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Place your face close to the bowl and cover the back of your head and bowl with a towel to trap the aromatic vapours. Caution due to risk of burns or scalding and keep eyes covered during treatment.

There are some family members and our pets that may need oils to be more diluted. 

Babies and young children, pregnant and breast-feeding mothers, the frail and the elderly. Topical applications need to be at much lower dilutions, as low a 1% (1 drop in 10ml of carrier oil) and not all essential oils are recommended.

Please see our faq here and if you unsure always take advise from a clinical aromatherapist for best practise. 

If you find yourself or a loved one struggling with mental health, consider reaching out to a GP or utilising the following charity help in the UK:

• Please help up us support our loved ones and ourselves in the fight against living miserably, and learning to take a moment of CALM together. www.thecalmzone.net/ 

Taking care of our mental and skin health is not just an act of self-care but a comprehensive approach to living a full, vibrant life.

Sending Healthy Wishes and happy stress free living!

Becky x

References: Oils for Anxiety Glamour Magazine