How Stress Affects Your Skin

We often think of stress as something that affects our mood, our sleep, or our energy — but the truth is, it shows up on our skin long before we even realise it. From breakouts to dullness, stress can trigger a chain reaction throughout the body that directly impacts your complexion. Understanding how it works is the first step toward restoring balance and protecting your skin from the inside out.

1. Stress Triggers Hormonal Imbalance

When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol — the “stress hormone.”High cortisol levels can:

• Increase oil production (leading to breakouts)

• Disrupt the skin’s natural barrier

• Slow down cell renewal

• Trigger inflammation

This is why stressful periods often lead to acne flare-ups, redness, and sensitivity.

2. Stress Weakens Your Skin Barrier

Your skin barrier is your natural shield. When stress weakens it, your skin becomes:

• Dry

• Irritated

• More reactive

• Prone to redness

A compromised barrier makes it harder for skin to stay hydrated and protected.

3. Inflammation Increases Skin Problems

Stress activates inflammatory pathways in the body. This can aggravate or trigger:

• Acne

• Rosacea

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

Even people who normally have balanced skin may notice flare-ups during stressful times.

4. Stress Slows Down Healing

When your body is in “fight or flight” mode, healing slows dramatically. This means:

• Breakouts take longer to fade

• Marks and pigmentation linger

• Skin feels more fragile

This delay in repair can make small skin concerns look and feel worse.

5. Sleep Disturbances Damage Skin

Stress often disrupts the sleep cycle, causing:

• Dullness

• Puffiness

• Fine lines

• Dark circles

Since most of your skin’s renewal happens overnight, poor sleep can quickly impact how you look and feel.

6. Stress Accelerates Ageing

Long-term stress breaks down collagen and elastin — the proteins responsible for firm, youthful skin. Over time, this leads to:

• Fine lines

• Loss of elasticity

• Sagging

• Premature ageing

This is one of the biggest reasons why regular relaxation and skin therapy are essential.

How to Protect & Heal Stressed Skin

✨ Professional Treatments

At Salon Thirty Three, we offer treatments that support stressed skin from the inside out:

• Luxury facials to soothe irritation and restore glow

• Microneedling to boost collagen and repair damage

• Chemical peels to refresh dull, congested skin

• Wellness therapies like massage, reiki & craniosacral therapy to reduce emotional stress

• Steam sauna & hot tub therapy to relax the nervous system

✨ Daily Skin Tips

• Keep your routine simple

• Hydrate well

• Avoid harsh scrubs

• Use calming, barrier-building products

• Prioritise sleep

• Schedule regular self-care

Reset Your Skin — Reset Your Mind

Your skin reflects how you feel. When you take time to manage stress, your complexion naturally improves. Whether it's through skincare, wellness therapy, or a much-needed pamper day, investing in your wellbeing pays off inside and out.

✨ Book a facial or wellness treatment at Salon Thirty Three and give your skin the calm it deserves [Book Now]