How to Treat Stress-Caused Skin Blemishes

Cleansing, moisturizing, sun protection... Do you do all of these skin care routines, and you still can’t avoid stress spots on your skin? Our high pace of life creates anxiety and, sooner or later, this ends up manifesting itself through the skin. 

Getting rid of stress-related acne and blemishes might be a long process, but it's not impossible, so keep reading if you want to find out more about how to treat this annoying skin condition. 

Skin blemishes caused by stress: symptoms and care 

The skin is the most extensive organ of our body and is especially sensitive to emotions and moods. When we feel stressed, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that causes the appearance of skin blemishes and acne.

But what do stress-related skin blemishes look like?

Although they may look the same to us, they should not be confused with skin hyperpigmentation caused by the sun, i.e. brown spots that appear over the years and can be treated with products rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. 

Stress skin spots have a reddish color and appear suddenly anywhere on the body (although they usually appear on the limbs, face, and chest). 

The difference with sunspots is that they are itchy and look more like a rash than skin hyperpigmentation. In fact, they are often treated with antihistamines to relieve itching. 

But in addition to the spots on the body due to nerves, stress generates other types of reactions in our skin that we probably ignore and whose origin you may not be aware of. These are:

• Sweating: stress skin spots are not the only sign that we should slow down. Excessive sweating could be another symptom, and you can distinguish it because in these cases the smell is stronger.

• Dandruff: also due to increased cortisol, the scalp produces more sebum and causes greater amounts of dandruff to appear.

• Hair loss and alopecia: these are extreme cases of stress, which produce massive hair loss.

• Hives: they are usually accompanied by stinging, itching, or burning in the area where they appear.

How to treat and eliminate stress-related skin blemishes?

As a first recommendation, if you feel that your stress level is very high and your skin is suffering, go to the doctor for treatment with specific medications. 

In addition, you can complement this care with treatments that you can carry out at home, and that will help you prevent the appearance of these spots.

To treat stress spots on the body, including the face, there are several habits you can follow to improve their texture and appearance. Take note!

• Hygiene should always come first: your skin needs to be clean to breathe and regenerate. Choose products that suit your skin type, and for areas where blemishes appear, choose a gentle cleanser that does not irritate the skin, but serves to remove the sebum produced by the skin. If you're not sure what the best product for your skin type is, consult your dermatologist. 

• Moisturize your skin: moisturizing keeps your skin healthy, and if you use a regenerating moisturizer, you can reinforce your skin's natural barrier to prevent stress spots from reappearing.

• Hydrating your whole body from the inside out helps you eliminate toxins, also caused by stress, and therefore keep your health at an optimal level. And your skin will notice! 

• Swap coffee with herbal teas: tisanes such as lime blossom, chamomile, or valerian root serve to relax you, and that is essential to prevent skin blemishes caused by stress. In addition, they are also excellent for hydration, so you get double efficiency!

• Regular workout: not only serves to have a better physical condition but also to release the tensions that accumulate in your mind. Walking, running, swimming, yoga - any option is valid as long as you move your skeleton. Also, regular exercise improves blood circulation, which means delivering more oxygen to all your body cells, including the skin. 

• Sleep well: between 7 and 8 hours is recommended for your body to rest completely. Sleeping properly helps to avoid many side effects, and much of the stress comes from a lack of rest, so do not neglect this vital part of your life because it could take its toll.

Final Word

If you suffer from stress, you know that it can occur at any time, so it is important to know how to manage these emotions and thus avoid the appearance of stress spots or other symptoms. 

We encourage you to dedicate more time to yourself and participate in activities that help you relax, so that both your body and mind stay healthy and balanced. 

As we always mention, a well-balanced diet is a key to optimal health, in and out, so try eating fruits such as berries, apples, pineapple, and leafy green vegetables that will help you hydrate, eliminate toxins, and improve natural collagen production.