Happy Mind, Happy Skin.

Understanding the Link Between Stress and Skin Health

Our skin and mind are more connected than we often realise. Emotional stress can show up as breakouts, redness, or dullness - while calm and joy may visibly support skin health and resilience.

How Stress can show up on the Skin

Cortisol & Oil Production
Cortisol - the primary stress hormone - can increase oil production, making the skin more prone to breakouts and inflammation.

Barrier Disruption
Ongoing stress weakens the skin’s barrier function, leading to dryness, irritation, and slower recovery.

Inflammation Link
Chronic stress contributes to internal inflammation, which may worsen skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Tips for Managing Stress to Support Skin Health

Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:

• Mindfulness, meditation, gentle yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help calm your nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and support a healthier skin barrier.

Spend Time in Nature:

• Spending time in daylight can improve mood and reduce stress, whilst sunlight helps the skin produce Vitamin D.

Get Moving:

• Exercise releases endorphins (your body’s natural happiness boosters) and improves blood flow, giving your skin a healthy glow.

(Explore more in [Happy Movement, Happy Skin].)

Prioritise Quality Sleep:

• Sleep allows your body and skin to repair and rejuvenate. Aim for 7–9 hours of uninterrupted rest.

(Explore more in [Happy Sleep, Happy Skin].)

Engage in Joyful Activities:

• Whether it’s a hobby, spending time with loved ones, or listening to music, find what makes you smile and do more of it.

(Explore more in [Happy Relationships, Happy Skin].)

Practice Gratitude:

• Journaling or reflecting on things you’re thankful for can improve mental well-being and reduce stress levels.

Need Extra Support?

If stress feels overwhelming, please know you’re not alone. Reach out to your GP, a therapist, or a mental health organisation for support. A qualified skin therapist - such as a corneotherapist trained in skin barrier care - can also support you in building skin resilience through a tailored approach.

Trusted Sources:

NHS: 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing [5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing]
Looking for practical ways to support your mental health? Start with the NHS’s evidence-based 5 steps to mental wellbeing - small changes that can make a big difference to how you feel and how your skin responds.

Mind https://www.mind.org.uk
Mind is a leading mental health charity in the UK, offering information, support, and advocacy to ensure no one faces a mental health problem alone.

Rethink Mental Illness https://www.rethink.org
This organisation provides expert advice, information, and services to individuals affected by mental illness, aiming to improve lives and challenge attitudes towards mental health.

Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Dedicated to preventing mental health problems, the Mental Health Foundation focuses on research, policy, and practical solutions to promote mental well-being across the UK.

Mental Health UK https://mentalhealth-uk.org
Operating across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Mental Health UK supports people affected by mental health problems through local services and resources.

YoungMinds https://www.youngminds.org.uk
A charity focused on the mental health of children and young people, YoungMinds provides resources, support, and advocacy to ensure young individuals receive the help they need.

Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org
Samaritans offers confidential support for individuals in distress or at risk of suicide, providing a 24/7 helpline and other resources to promote mental well-being.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) https://www.thecalmzone.net
CALM focuses on preventing male suicide in the UK by offering support services, promoting cultural change, and campaigning for better mental health resources.

Anxiety UK https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
This national charity provides support and resources for individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, and anxiety-based depression, including access to therapy services.

SANE https://www.sane.org.uk
SANE offers emotional support, information, and guidance for people affected by mental illness, as well as their families and caregivers.

The Mind–Skin Connection

Dermatologists are beginning to talk more openly about the connection between our emotional wellbeing and our skin - something many of us already sense in everyday life. Feeling stressed before a flare-up? Noticing breakouts during tough times? It’s all part of the same picture.

This growing area of research is called psychodermatology, and it explores how the mind and skin communicate in both directions. It’s still early days, but the link is real - and it’s helping experts understand skin health in a much more human way.

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information in this leaflet is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. This resource is informed by current evidence, clinical observation, and emerging research in skin health.

Version: [March / 2025]

© 2025 Jacqui de Jager | The Skin Well™ & The Happy Skin Clinic®
All rights reserved. This leaflet is for personal use and education only. It may not be reproduced, distributed, or adapted without written permission.