Skin Longevity - Brain Skin Connection

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Stress can affect skin health and vice versa — this is done through a complex network of nerves, hormones and signals from the immune system. Your skin is a dynamic organ (actually the largest in the body) and serves as a primary sensory organ for environmental stressors such as heat, cold, pain, and tension. It also reacts to internal stressors. Whether you're exposed to extreme temperatures or experience mental, physical, or emotional pressure, your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated. This releases stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline, and other important fight or flight response hormones. With increased stress, the stress hormone cortisol rises, which triggers the sebaceous glands and can cause acne, or worsen itching, inflammation and atopic dermatitis. Nerves can also release substances that cause inflammation. Cortisol can also impair the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to moisture loss, irritants, and allergens. If you feel overwhelmed and your skin looks dry, red, or inflamed, cortisol could be the culprit.

Chronic stress and skin health

Studies have shown that people with high levels of stress often experience disorders of the epidermal barrier — the top layer of skin that protects us from harmful microbes. Persistent stress means more cortisol, which can worsen irritated skin and chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, or trigger new outbreaks. Chronic stress also affects the collagen and elastin in your skin: Cortisol changes the structure of the proteins in the skin, which disrupts the renewal process and accelerates the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The Brain Skin Connection goes both ways: The skin itself can influence chronic stress. In response to stress factors such as blue light or intense heat, the skin produces stress hormones and sends these signals back to the brain. This creates a vicious cycle in which emotional stressors cause stressed skin and environmental stressors trigger hormonal stress—and so on.

Skincare as a holistic solution

‍Given what we know about Brain Skin Connection, a holistic approach to skincare is critical. In addition to targeted treatments We recommend that you consider emotional factors that could affect your skin health. Incorporating stress management techniques into your daily routine can help reduce the physiological effects of stress, whether through relaxation exercises, spending time with friends, or exercising.

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Our Brain Skin Connection tips for glowing and healthy skin

• Create an individual routine: A skin routine is not only important 'me time' in times of stress, but also essential to support stressed skin. It's best to let our experts do it for you counselled.
• Managing stress through mindfulness: Integrate relaxation exercises such as meditation, breathing exercises or yoga into your everyday life to reduce your stress levels.
• Balanced diet: A balanced and nutrient-rich diet can increase your vitality, reduce stress and help you achieve healthy skin condition. Lies here more about nutrition and skin health.‍
• Regular exercise: Exercise can help reduce stress and thus support your skin health. Exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming and cycling stimulates blood circulation, which supplies the skin with oxygen and nutrients. You can find out more about the connection between exercise and skin health here.