Over the long term, chronic stress can have more profound and persistent effects on the skin. The continued release of stress hormones can disrupt the skin's natural balance and its ability to repair and regenerate. Collagen and elastin can be broken down at a higher rate under chronic stress and this can lead to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. 

Dermatologist, Dr Keira Barr, highlights that “when you understand how stress affects your body, you can more effectively incorporate mind-body practices to help reduce your stress and improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being.” Some evidence suggests that regular practice of meditation may lead to a decrease in overall stress hormone levels in individuals. Similarly, meditation and relaxation techniques have shown promise in improving symptoms of psoriasis.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a well-balanced diet, getting adequate sleep and engaging in regular exercise, may also play a role in regulating stress hormones within the body which could have positive effects on the health of the skin. 

As the skin sits between our internal and external environments, it’s vulnerable to the effects of both our internal (emotional) and external (environmental) stressors. While wellness practices are the most effective for managing internal stressors, we can help the skin to have an increased resilience to external stressors by fortifying its skin barrier and arming it with antioxidants. All our Emma Lewisham moisturisers are designed to aid in this protection against external stressors.