In the high-pressure systems and situations of modern life, stress feels like an unavoidable burden for billions of people around the world. Commonly viewed as a measure of mental tension, many people forget about the tangible effects of stress on the body—especially the skin.

When we experience extended periods of stress, it is directly reflected in our physical wellbeing and the health of our body's largest organ. This well-researched “brain-skin connection” demonstrates that psychological stress can manifest as a variety of physiological symptoms.

In addition to the skin being the body's first line of defense against environmental factors, stress hormones released by the body also target the skin, leading to itching, inflammation, breakouts, and infections. Wounds heal slower when we're stressed, and chronic anxiety can worsen or trigger skin conditions, causing flare ups for those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, contact dermatitis and more.

Stress also speeds up the aging process; the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), glucocorticoids, and epinephrine released by the brain can disrupt the function of collagen and elastin in the skin, making wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin more noticeable. 

Inflammation and How To Reduce It

Not only is the skin a common target of stress responses by the body, but it is also a localized source of certain stress hormones involved in immune and inflammatory responses. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of the brain is like a stress control center, and is responsible for the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the skin. Higher levels of these cytokines are already associated with skin conditions like dermatitis, acne, and psoriasis, so stressful situations can result in a vicious cycle of mental stress exacerbating physical inflammation.

Chronic stress can also cause hypo-responsiveness and general dysregulation of the inflammatory response systems in the body, compromising your immune capabilities. The exact mechanism of how stress ages the skin is not fully understood, so there is no proven medical treatment to prevent the effects, but chronic inflammation can be managed. One of the most effective ways to reduce skin inflammation and irritation caused by stress is with hyaluronic acid.   

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is naturally produced by the body, and is a key component of the extracellular matrix, but its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties make it ideal for skin care. Not only has high molecular weight HA been proven to speed up wound healing, but it also mitigates chronic inflammation and cancer-causing oxidative stress, caused by free radical activity in the skin. 

Therapeutic and cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid can counter the inflammatory impacts of stress on the skin, giving you clear, plump and supple skin without redness or irritation. When combined with mind-body stress management techniques to reduce anxiety, hyaluronic acid is an effective tool in any skin care regimen. 

A Proven Method for Protection

Leveraging the anti-inflammatory effects of hyaluronic acid with nutrient-rich rosehip oil, NeuLuna Day and Night Cream delivers relief and healing to damaged and stressed-out skin. Rosehip oil is a carrier oil rich in vitamins and fatty acids, including oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids. Benefitting from a patented hyaluronic acid delivery system, this daily cream penetrates to deeper dermal layers, treating inflammation and irritation at their source. 

If you regularly suffer from stress, there will be negative physiological effects over time, even if you can't see them immediately. Proactively protecting your body from the damaging effects of inflammation is the wise choice, and a customized skin care routine is the first step. 

You can learn more about the novel design and delivery system of this cutting-edge product at the NeuLuna website, and take control of the stress on your skin!