We hear it all the time, stress is the leading factor for disease in the body.... and the skin is no different. As our largest organ, we have learned how to do damage control in times of anxiety, especially if your face is an area that shows signs of stress.
Wrinkles
Have you noticed more fine lines and sagging on your skin? Stress can affect you on a hormonal level. Cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, is a natural enemy of collagen, breaking down the connective tissue that keeps your complexion tight and firm. But in addition to destroying collagen, anxiety can also cause certain facial expressions to persist, such as forehead furrows, which can eventually cause permanent wrinkles on your forehead and around your eyes.
Solution: Be careful when you hold facial expressions during times of stress. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, show that your face is relaxed and smooth. Meditation is also helpful, even if you only have a few moments. Download a meditation app to your mobile device so you have no excuse to take a quick moment of beauty bliss. Lack of hydration is a common culprit for wrinkles, so make sure you consume at least 8 glasses of pure water each day to prevent dry skin and eliminate toxins. For quick hydration, use a serum that contains hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that occurs naturally in your body and holds 1,000 times its weight in water. The serum even draws moisture from the air into your skin, instantly hydrating it and leaving you with a beautiful glow.
Bags under the eyes
Tomorrow's to-do list can weigh on your mind, keeping you from sleeping soundly. This can cause fluid to build up under your lower eyelid, which in turn can lead to puffiness in the morning. Sleepy stomach, bad news: You can expect the puffiness of the bags under your eyes to be even greater due to gravity.
Solution: Get at least eight hours of sleep. Since the light from your smartphone screen simulates sunlight, turn off all electronic devices an hour before you go to bed. Use the downtime to enjoy a cup of decaffeinated chamomile tea to help you calm down and relax before bed. If you still wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, hold a cold teaspoon (pop it in the fridge) up to the area under your eyes and massage it from the inner to outer corner of your eye to start draining the fluid. Next, apply concealer in an inverted triangle under your eyes. Next, apply concealer in an inverted triangle under the eye. The brightness will start slightly below the nostrils and begin to build towards the eye, hiding the puffiness.
Stress seems inevitable in today's world, but there are simple solutions that can make the face that seems to have returned from a relaxing vacation look completely different.
