OYA MAG

How emotions affect our skin

With the end of the vacations and the hectic pace of back-to-school, it's back to the dull complexion and skin imperfections. With work and school back in full swing, you might think that your dull complexion illustrates the deep link between our emotions and our skin. And you're right!

Overwhelmed by a tight schedule and a heavy mental load, are you feeling "on edge"? Beware: over the long term, this chronic stress has an impact on your epidermis, which can lead to various skin disorders: acne, eczema, even hyperpigmentation!

But how can our emotions be at the root of dermatological problems? Can taking care of our well-being improve the appearance of our skin in the long term?

In this article, we explore the close and complex relationship between our emotional states and our epidermis. Understanding these interactions is key to knowing how to maintain healthy skin, whatever the circumstances. 

Understanding the link between skin and emotions

Aches and pains in one part of the body can have repercussions on others. As such, the effects of psychological factors on physical symptoms cannot be ignored. This is particularly true when it comes to the correlations between our emotions and our skin.

Negative effects of stress on the skin: hyperpigmentation and other skin disorders

Skin problems such as allergies, itching, redness, pimples, etc., often have emotional roots. Our anxiety, sadness, anger or even frustration can disrupt the immune system, exacerbating certain skin disorders.

Chronic stress, the breeding ground for many "negative" emotions, can lead to an excessive release of cortisol by the adrenal glands. As such, it contributes to inflammation. This stress hormone plays a major role in the origin or aggravation of certain dermatological conditions. These include acne, eczema or atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

And for people with black, dark or mixed-race skin, this relationship between stress and skin is of particular importance. In fact, an increase in cortisol can also lead to irregular melanin production and thus cause hyperpigmentation.

So, learning to manage emotions effectively is fundamental to maintaining unified, radiant and healthy skin. By being attentive to your well-being, you can therefore avoid the appearance of pigmentation spots of hormonal origin (cortisol), and other skin disorders.

Good to know: Excessive cortisol can cause dark circles. These are known as pigmented dark circles.

Gut microbiota, brain, emotions and skin: subtle yet powerful links

But our inner state doesn't just influence the appearance of our skin. In recent years, we've learned that the gut microbiota and the skin interact in subtle and powerful ways.

Research, mainly conducted in France, has established a link between the gut microbiota, the brain, emotions and skin. An unbalanced microbiota promotes inflammation. It also limits nutrient absorption, affecting both our emotional well-being and the quality of our skin.

Moreover, neuromediators, circulating between the skin and the nervous system, certainly influence tissue thickness or even sebum production. These chemical messengers are also thought to have an impact on skin pigmentation and immune response.

Understanding this deep and complex interconnection can help us take better care of our well-being, with a holistic approach.

The impact of emotions on the skin: what to do?

The skin is the interface between our emotions and our body. It can even become a powerful, more or less conscious, communication tool.

So, by looking after your emotional balance, you're contributing to the health of your skin.

Express your emotions before the skin does!

From birth and throughout our lives, our skin acts as a kind of mediator between body and mind. Make-up, tattoos and piercings, for example, are considered skin-related means of social interaction and expression. But in other cases, the skin is also a mirror of our inner selves, integrating unconscious messages: fears, unspoken messages, etc. Your skin can then express what you're feeling.

Your skin can then express what you are unable to verbalize. When words fail you, your skin can become your only language. The nervous system translates your emotions into biochemical signals. These can trigger or aggravate pre-existing skin problems.

In other words, your skin is a true indicator of your mental state. In this context, if your skin problems have a psychological origin, they can be avoided or resolved more easily. This applies, for example, to outbreaks of eczema or acne, when they are caused by stress or repressed emotions. 

Taking care of your inner well-being means welcoming and expressing your emotions. At the same time, it's important to cultivate positive thoughts, despite life's ups and downs. However, the solutions to be implemented on a daily or regular basis vary from person to person.

For some people, finding ways to feel good mentally sometimes involves therapeutic support. But this is not the only strategy. Others who find it difficult to express themselves will feel more at ease if they spend some time focusing on their emotions. This can involve, for example, practicing an artistic activity such as painting, dance or theater!

Good to know: a growing number of dermatologists are looking for the deeper causes of skin problems, rather than simply treating the symptoms. In France, this is particularly true of doctors holding the DIU Dermatologie Psychosomatique diploma.

These practitioners offer comprehensive care, having trained in psychosomatic dermatology. Their approach is multidisciplinary: physiological and psychopathological.

 

Emotional balance & Care: our tips for beautiful skin

As you can see, keeping your skin healthy requires a two-pronged strategy. On the one hand, you need to pay attention to your inner well-being by expressing your emotions. On the other hand, you need to continue taking care of your skin, in a number of ways. 

To help you do this, follow our complete program.

Stress management through sport, yoga or meditation

Some people find yoga or meditation more effective for managing stress, while others prefer more dynamic activities.

The key is to find a hobby that suits you and that you'll enjoy over the long term. Regularity is the key to reaping the benefits.

Sport influences many of the negative effects of stress:

- Release of endorphins (which have a positive impact on well-being)

- Reduced cortisol levels

- Improved sleep quality

- Emotional release, relieving tension

Finally, when you take the time to engage in physical activity, your attentional focus shifts to the exercise. In other words, it's easier for your mind to move away from sources of anxiety or stress.

A balanced diet  

The contents of your plate play a decisive role in the health of your skin and intestinal microbiota. Opt for a balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

 

Make sure you also consume probiotics, as they help to regulate any cutaneous inflammation. That's why they're also found in some cosmetics. What's more, by optimizing nutrient absorption, these living micro-organisms contribute to a more stable emotional balance.

Care routine 

Adopt a cosmetic skincare routine adapted to your needs and skin type. While moisturizing is the key to a healthy epidermis and an even complexion, other steps should not be neglected. Cleansing, exfoliation, the application of sunscreen and targeted serums are all essential to maintaining your skin's health.

To find out about your skin care program, contact a Laboratoire In'Oya consultant (chat, phone, e-mail or post). You can also take advantage of a free online skin diagnosis.

Thanks to our expertise in dark skins, we can help you regain beautiful skin. With a targeted approach, you'll know how to treat your various problems: pigmentation spots, acne, dull complexion...

Consult one or more healthcare professionals

If you suffer from persistent skin disorders, which may be caused by your emotions, consult a dermatologist and a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist).

These specialists can help you find solutions tailored to your specific situation. Sometimes, medical support is needed to resolve complex skin problems.

In short, a holistic approach is fundamental to the management of certain dermatological conditions, especially when they are linked to emotions. By combining different complementary actions, you can influence the health and radiance of your skin, which in turn improves overall well-being.