STRESS: LET’S BREAK UP, NOT BREAK OUT
Ever gone weeks, months even, without a blemish or a pimple only to wake up the morning of a big event to a zit smack bang in the middle of your face that no amount of artfully applied concealer can fix? You may be tempted to call it Murphy’s Law, but it’s actually got nothing to do with good old Murphy and everything to do with good old-fashioned stress.
That’s the bad news. The good news? We’ve put together a list of the ingredients to look for in skincare products and the skincare treatments to select from the Skin Renewal menu to de-stress your skin.
The first thing you need to de-stress your skin is to do a bit of a deep dive into the link between your skin and stress levels. It’s a complex topic but the gist of it is that stress releases hormones in our system, one of which is cortisol. Unusually ‘extra’ amounts of cortisol mess with other hormone levels and triggers an increase in the production of sebum, which rolls out the welcome mat for breakouts. Add to the fact that stressful periods in our lives are usually accompanied by lack of sleep and poor, over-caffeinated sleeping habits, and you’ve got a recipe for over-achieving under-eye bags, too.
ASK YOURSELF THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
To get the answers you need from both your skincare products and treatments, you need to pay attention to what your complexion is telling you. Ask yourself, “What does my skin really need right now? Is it feeling and looking dehydrated? Is it in desperate need of a deep cleanse? Is it fighting a losing battle against excess oil?” Or, has the past couple of weeks seemed to age your face a couple of years ahead of schedule?
THE (UN)USUAL SUSPECTS: THREE WAYS TO DE-STRESS YOUR SKIN
1. Centella Asiatica Extract is a medicinal herb that’s long been used to treat a variety of skin conditions. Not only does it help with wound healing by increasing the production of collagen, but it also decreases inflammation and improves the appearance of scars, too.
2. Snail Secretion Filtrate contains an impressive collection of beneficial enzymes and peptides, hydrating and repairing damaged skin while turning back the clock on photoaged. Once you get over the fact that it’s snail goo, it’s really pretty darn impressive stuff!
3. Tranexamic Acid is possibly familiar to you if you’re well-versed in the fight against hyperpigmentation, but you may be keen to find out that it can also help restore damaged skin caused by UVA/UVB, pollution or other environmental factors thanks to its anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic properties, which, interestingly, make it an effective treatment for eczema and hives.
TREAT YOURSELF: FIVE TREATMENTS TO BOOK, ASAP
1. Chemical Peels offer many benefits to stressed skin; improving skin texture, tone, clarity, and the look of fine lines and wrinkles. We have a wide range of chemical peels available at our 18 branches, nationwide, whether your busy schedule can afford downtime or not.
2. Hydrating Facials help skin lock in moisture to keep it balanced and breakout-free; not too dry or too oily. Our Hydratouch facial is not only a must-book to “bring your skin back to life”, it’s also a wonderful way to work a power nap into your usual nap-free schedule.
3. Laser Treatments help reduce the effects of ageing and damaged skin. The fact is, as we age, our skin loses its tone, texture, and firmness. Add stress, sun damage, and genetics into the mix and you’ve got a solid (or rather not-so-solid) foundation for fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.
4. Microdermabrasion helps to unclog pores and improves congestion on the face which may reduce breakouts, and acne, and removes/prevents blackheads. It’s also been proven to with treating premature ageing, dry skin, sun damage, and pigmentation
5. Tightening Treatments can help to stimulate the formation of new collagen and improve the skin’s elasticity while shrinking pores and improving skin tone and texture. We have an impressive, industry-leading assortment of tightening treatments on offer in-branch, so have a chat with your doctor or therapist the next time you pop in.