What does this look like? Exposure to stress spikes a hormone called cortisol, which activates a fight, flight, or freeze response in our bodies. Though this response is meant to only last a few minutes, chronic stress can keep cortisol levels elevated for extended periods of time, which shows up on your skin in a few different ways. A surplus of cortisol causes inflammation throughout the body, which explains why stress has been linked to inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also weaken your skin barrier, which can cause dryness and sensitivity, as well as degrade collagen, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. 

Not only can skin issues take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem, but being stressed about the way your skin looks or feels can then exacerbate your skin issues.

In the past few years, new research makes clear that this mind-skin connection is too important to ignore. An August 2021 report from the International Journal of Dermatology noted that “the impact of skin alterations on the mental health of dermatological patients should be a central concern.” Not only can skin issues take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem but, as we know, being stressed about the way your skin looks or feels can then exacerbate your skin issues. A July 2022 review of studies of sensitive skin syndrome in The Journal of Cosmetics (conducted by Proctor and Gamble) called this a “vicious cycle.” "In order to better understand the [sensitive skin] individual, we need to also be aware of the psychological factors that can trigger and/or worsen this skin condition," the study author noted.

While scientists investigated stress and skin in the lab, many of us came to the same realizations with our own complexions at home. “Lockdown created a new awareness of the impact of stress on our skin. We were at home, often wearing less or no make-up, and more of us than ever saw the impact on our skin in stress-driven breakouts, inflammation, and signs of aging,” says Kat Bryce, co-founder of LOUM Beauty, a skin-care brand developed in partnership with a psychodermatologist, a neuropsychologist, and a mindfulness coach that launched in 2020.

“Since the pandemic, I have seen a huge increase in patients coming into the office for stress-related rashes,” confirms Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, naming acne and rosacea as the two most common concerns he’s seen over the past few years.   

This increased awareness around skin and stress has catalyzed a shift throughout the skin-care industry, with a growing number of brands placing mental health at the forefront. In the last few months: Tatcha released a report on skin care and self care, which introduced people to “Step 0,” or taking time to “breathe and connect with the present” at the start of their skin-care routines to make the experience more mindful; board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, introduced a relaxation capsule into her eponymous skin-care line; and celebrity hairstylist Adam Read brought Arkive, a UK-based “head care” brand that emphasizes the need to care for yourself mentally, to the U.S. market.

“In this post-pandemic world, we see health and beauty brands being particularly mindful of mental and emotional health when planning their future developments since, for consumers, their skin no longer falls into the domain of just the derm,” says Anne-Catherine Auvray, executive editor at data aggregation and trend-forecasting platform BEAUTYSTREAMS. “Increasingly, consumers understand and are enthusiastic about the connection between mind and body…Therefore, cosmetic products inspired by the psychodermatological approach become more popular, bringing skin care efficacy while at the same time boosting well-being and encouraging positive feelings.” 

Stress-relieving beauty has long been rooted in sensory experiences (think: lavender-infused body lotions or bath salts that make you feel like you’re in a spa), but the most exciting innovations in the space go beyond calming scents and textures. “Neurocosmetics,” a class of ingredients that stimulate a response in the nervous system when they’re applied topically, have begun to make their way into skin  care. Research has shown that certain neurocosmetics can influence one’s mood when they contact nerve endings in the skin, and while Dr. Wechsler notes that more research needs to be done to confirm if these actives are truly as game-changing as they seem, brands are finding exciting new ways to include them in their formulations. 

LOUM’s products feature a neurocosmetic called Neurophroline, which blocks the production of cortisol and prompts the skin to release natural, mood-enhancing neuropeptides called beta endorphins while also visibly improving skin tone (Trinny London’s BFF De-Stress Serum, which launched in 2020, also uses the ingredient).  Selfmade, another psychodermatologist-developed line that launched in 2020, introduced its third product, Corrective Experience Comfort Cream, in September, which employs an ingredient called Cortinhib G that’s been proven to control the underlying causes of cortisol production. And LAST Skincare, which launched in 2021, uses adaptogens and aromatherapy to boost beta-endorphins and stimulate the release of relaxing neurotransmitters.