Stressed Skin? Stress-free Ways to Keep Your Skin Clear

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How to feel relaxed- and keep your skin clear and stressed-free - even during anxiety-prone times:

German researchers at Free University Berlin have shown that stress and breakouts are directly linked: When the brain perceives stress, stress hormones called androgens and cortisol, are released into the body. Whenever you’re stressed, your adrenal glands pump out more of the hormone androgen, explains Zoe Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston Salem, N.C.

The hormone increases oil secretions, which can become trapped if dead skin cells are littering the skin’s surface. The pileup, along with bacteria in the pores, can trigger breakouts.

Relaxing could be the best thing you can do for your skin:

1. Address the source of your stress and take good care of your body. Take time for yourself regularly, your skin will be better off as a result. Set aside time each day for reflection and relaxation. Activities that help promote well-being include yoga, meditation and even just walking, which can help clear your head.

2. Stick to your skin-care routine. "We tend to skimp on self-care when under stress", says dermatologist Richard Fried, M.D., Ph.D. But a regular skin-care routine is critical to clear skin; this includes cleansing morning and night, using a toner to clear up excess oil, and applying products that contain pore-declogging salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinols to prevent breakouts.

3. Continue or increase your exercise. When women get busy, they tend to exercise less and eat more, both of which lead not only to weight gain but also feeling bad about themselves, and that increases stress.

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