The state of your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside you. Our skin feels the impacts of stress and anxiety acutely – and it shows. If you’re feeling flat, worried or harassed by the stressors of modern life, chances are your skin will feel it too. And even if the signs aren’t visible, the impact on our skin can still be present.

Together, stress and anxiety can cause a range of problems such as dryness and dehydration, acne, inflammation, eczema, under eye circles and bags, wrinkles and fine lines. But being under pressure doesn’t just cause the occasional breakout or rash – long term stressors can significantly reduce your skin’s ability to heal and fight off serious issues. In fact, there’s growing evidence to suggest a large number of skin issues, including dermatitis and psoriasis, can be caused by psychological stress and adrenal fatigue.

However, it’s not all bad news. There are many tools and practices you can consciously bring into your beauty routine to combat the stressors of modern life and soothe your skin back to glowing health.

Here are a few of our favourite skin stress fixes:

Treat your skin from within. A growing number of doctors and psychodermatologists (specialists in the treatment of skin disorders) are combining traditional skin treatments with psychotherapy, hypnosis, and meditation. So in addition to soothing nerves and settling the mind, a meditation class, using an app, or a gentle yoga class (we recommend yin yoga) can actually help to combat and calm flaring skin conditions.

Get more sleep. We all know that plenty of sleep is good for our health, so it’s no surprise that sleep also gifts us with beautiful skin. Sleep helps your skin cells to rebuild and repair. So for a glowing and smooth complexion, look closely at your sleep routine, including the length of time (8 hours as a minimum) and the quality of your sleep (without interruptions and breaks) to set you up for better skin.

Try an antioxidant booster or supplement. Nourishing your skin with antioxidants such as Vitamins A and C gives it the best chance to regenerate, repair and overcome any inflammation or irritation triggered by free radicals (eg pollution, stress, sun damage, sugar, chemicals and alcohol). We love the Beauty Chef’s Antioxidant boost and Glow Inner Beauty Powder for a nourishing boost.

Sweat. When we sweat, our pores open up and release built up toxins which clog pores and plague the skin with pimples and blemishes. So whether you’re a spin, F45, hiking or pilates fan, it’s worth thinking about your workout as an extension of your skincare routine.

Take a closer look at your plate. Look at your daily diet and consider removing known skin irritants such as caffeine, sugar, gluten and dairy from your diet. You don’t have to tackle everything at once, but removing a few things at a time (we suggest starting with sugar, which wreaks havoc on the skin) will make the process easier and your skin will thank you. And if you’re serious about transforming your beauty and skin, take blood test to confirm which foods you’re allergic to, which foods you need to avoid and which ingredients cause flare ups and reactions.

Embrace the healing power of scent. Essential oils and scent have been used in beauty treatments for centuries. Their healing and replenishing powers are well-documented, and they still form the basis of many high-performing beauty products today. For personal use, try In Fiore’s Solid Perfumes and for home use, try Bodha Modern Wellness’ Clam Ritual Incense or Calm Ritual Oil and diffuser. If you are out and about, try the Calm Ritual Spray with its blend of lavender, geranium and rosewood for a soothing sense of inner quiet and relaxation.

There’s a wealth of incredible natural products on the market today, including nourishing creams, serums, and oils specifically designed to combat the damage stress and anxiety cause to the skin. Our particular favourites for healing stressed skin are MV’s Organic Skincare Rose Plus Boost and Rose Soothing and Protective Moisturiser, Agent Nateur’s Holi Oil Face Serum (with Helichrysum Oil) and In Fiore’s Calme Complexe Face Oil Concentrate with Blue Chamomile Flower and In Fiore’s Fleur Vibrante Botanical Solution for the Face and Body with Jasmine, Sea-buckthorn and Marigold Flower, optimises cellular function, smooths skin texture, repairs broken capillaries, builds collagen and improves the appearance of wrinkles and dehydrated skin

Once you’ve tried some of these practices for healing stressed skin, and the incredible products specifically designed to help relieve the signs of stress, you won’t look back.