How our Skin Responds to Stress

Our team at Essence Laser and Wellness hope you and your family are safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. 

With stress and anxiety at an all time high, it is important to be mindful in taking care of ourselves. Stress can take a toll on your health, well-being and appearance. The stress hormone, cortisol, is released into the blood stream when our bodies are under high levels of stress and can cause increased inflammation. When there is inflammation in the body, this can negatively affect our skin and result in conditions such as acne, rosacea/redness, excessive dryness and over production of oil. 

• Acne and breakouts

Experimental data shows that the nervous system and stress affect inflammatory conditions in our bodies and cause a greater amount of chemicals to be released, causing the skin to become red and inflamed. As mentioned above, cortisol is released into the bloodstream, which can cause a spike in oil production. When our sebum/ oil is mixed with dead skin cells, your pores can become blocked and bacteria can thrive. When we have inflammation and an over production of oil, this is a perfect storm for acne breakouts. 

• Dry Skin and Redness

As with inflammation and stress increasing the risk for acne breakouts, stress can also cause the skin to become irritated, dry and flushed. One study found that “acute psychosocial stress and sleep deprivation stress disrupts skin barrier function homeostasis in women.” Meaning, your skin can become more susceptible to becoming irritated.

Our skin reflects what is going on inside our bodies, so in addition to taking care of our skin, it is important to try and make time to de-stress and care for yourself. 

Tips for reducing stress

• Drink LOTS of water to flush your system
• Eat plenty of healthy fats such as, avocado, nuts, seeds & fish. 
• Cut down on sugars and eat low- glycemic carbohydrates such as, brown rice, beans, oatmeal and berries. 
• Get your body moving! Exercise is an effective mood booster.
• Mediate and practice mindfulness. Even a few minutes a day can clear the mind, reduce stress and anxiety and re-focus our brains. 

Recommended SkinCeuticals products for healthy skin!

SkinCeuticals, provides scientifically proven skin care crafted in elegant formulations for customized skincare regimens. While there are many products and combinations to choose from within the line, below are a few recommended products for different concerns. 

Anti-aging regimen– This three-product regimen with best-in-class technologies diminishes skin’s visible signs of accumulated damage – reduced wrinkles and increased luminosity.

C E FERULIC (30ml) Combination antioxidant treatment delivers advanced environment protection by neutralizing free radicals that cause the appearance of accelerated skin aging. Proven to visibly improve the look of wrinkles and skin’s firmness. (Use a.m. only)

A.G.E. INTERRUPTER (50ml) Multi-faceted treatment specifically formulated to improve the creping, thinning appearance of mature skin. Proven to significantly improve skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 20%.

RESVERATROL B E (30ml) Antioxidant night concentrate helps boosts skin’s own defense system to help improve the appearance of accumulated damage. Proven to statistically improve radiance. 

Acneic skin regimen– This three-step regimen is clinically proven to reduce sebum and improve fine lines. Formulated to treat adult acne, these products also correct the signs of damage resulting from blemishes and aging such as enlarged pores, rough texture, and fine lines.

LHA Cleansing Gel Potent cleanser with LHA, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid unclogs pores, smoothes irregularities, and brightens skin.

LHA Toner Exfoliating low-pH toner efficiently removes excess residue and surface cells to decongest pores.

Blemish + Age Defense Targeted, oil-free serum prevents the formation of acne, minimizes blotchiness, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hydration Regimen

Eye Balm is a rich crème formulated for dry aging skin and features a synergistic combination of powerful, yet gentle plant-based ingredients to nourish and smooth skin around the eye.

Restores essential lipids to help nourish dry, delicate skin

Helps relieve the appearance of under eye puffiness

Calms skin

H.A. Intensifier is a multi-beneficial corrective serum proven to amplify skin’s hyaluronic acid levels.

Delivers long lasting hydration to visibly improve skin’s texture

Unique serum-gel texture format creates a smooth canvas on skin

Hydrating B5 Mask is an intensely hydrating weekly gel mask to help in the replenishment of moisture levels

Contains high concentrations of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5

Optimizes moisture infusion in targeted areas

Leaves skin supple and smooth

Glow Regimen

Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight is a nighttime glycolic acid cream that improves the appearance of skin texture and tone to promote a bright complexion and glowing skin

Features a free acid value of 10% glycolic acid to promote cellular turnover

36% average improvement in glowing skin

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-aging cream that contains the optimal and patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids, which is proven to nourish skin and correct signs of aging.

Improves the look of skin fullness, texture, and pore appearance

Improves the appearance of skin evenness and overall radiance

Brightening Regimen 

A comprehensive four-step regimen helps improve skin tone evenness and radiance, and diminishes the appearance of discoloration.

Phloretin CF: A light, triple antioxidant serum provides advanced environmental protection and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and skin discoloration.

Discoloration Defense: Multi-phase serum formulated to reduce the appearance of multiple types of discoloration, including stubborn brown patches.

Retinol 0.5: Pure, highly concentrated retinol in a stabilized delivery system that visibly improves the appearance of skin discolorations, uneven tone, and fine lines and wrinkles.

Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50: Broad spectrum sunscreen with a universal tint to enhance natural skin tone and help protect against damaging UVA/UVB rays for brighter, more radiant skin.