If you’ve ever looked in the mirror after a week of tight deadlines, poor sleep, and too much coffee and thought, “Why does my skin look like it’s aged five years overnight?” — you’re not imagining it. Stress doesn’t just live in your head – It shows up on your skin.
Dr Sandrine recently spoke to Katie D at Hello! Magazine about the link between stress and skin health, so let’s unpack what’s really happening when life gets hectic — and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
The Stress Hormone: Cortisol and the Skin Chaos It Creates
When we’re stressed, our body releases cortisol, the main stress hormone designed to help us cope in the short term — but not meant to be our long-term companion. Elevated cortisol can trigger multiple skin problems, including:
- Increases oil (sebum) production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
- Weakens the skin barrier, causing dehydration and dryness.
- Inflammation, which worsens existing conditions like eczema, rosacea, or acne
And then there’s our emotional response to stress: reaching for that bar of chocolate or comfort pasta. High-sugar foods cause spikes in insulin, which further ramp up sebum production and inflammation. The result? Skin that’s either too oily or too dry — sometimes both — and definitely less happy.
🧠 In short: cortisol + sugar = inflammation = wrinkles.
Stress, Sleep and the "Magic Repair" Window
Sleep isn’t just rest; it’s active repair time for your skin. When we sleep, our body releases growth hormones that stimulate cell turnover and collagen production.
When we’re stressed, sleep is usually the first casualty and sleep quality drops.
No sleep = less repair.
That’s when we start noticing:
- Dull, tired-looking skin
- More pronounced fine lines
- Dark circles that concealer can’t quite hide
One 2015 study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that poor sleep quality impaired skin barrier recovery and accelerated visible ageing. So yes — beauty sleep is real, and it’s science-backed.
The Inflammation-Ageing Connection
At a cellular level, chronic stress causes inflammation, and inflammation accelerates ageing – a phenomenon scientists call “inflammageing.”
Inflammation breaks down collagen and elastin — the key proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth. Over time, this means:
- More visible fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduced skin elasticity
- A general “tired” or “weathered” look
And let’s not forget the expression wrinkles. When we’re stressed, we subconsciously frown, furrow, and squint more. Over time, that can deepen those frown lines between the brows or accentuate forehead creases.
How to Treat Skin That's Showing Signs of Stress
Here’s where I’m going to say something you might not love hearing at first:
Before you reach for another serum or overloaded skincare routine, here’s the truth:
To heal stressed skin, you must first address the stress itself.
Modern life conditions us to want an instant fix — a serum that smooths overnight, or an injection that reverses time in 10 minutes. But if your skin is telling you you’re stressed, it’s worth listening to what your body is saying, not just trying to silence it.
Start with the fundamentals:
🧘♀️ Manage the stress itself.
Whether that’s therapy, meditation, journaling, or simply saying “no” more often — stress management is your first step in skin care.
🥗 Eat for your skin.
Reduce alcohol and smoking (both accelerate ageing and dullness). Add foods rich in protein, fibre, omega-3s, and collagen — sustainably sourced salmon, for example, gives you all three. Bonus points if you eat the skin — it’s collagen-rich and deliciously efficient.
🏃♀️ Move your body.
Just move! Exercise helps regulate cortisol and improves circulation, inflammation, and sleep — all of which your skin will thank you for.
💤 Prioritise your sleep.
This is when your body repairs itself. Establish a calming bedtime routine and aim for 7-8 hours of quality rest.
There are cascades happening at a physiological level when we improve our lifestyle and all of it will manifest in better looking skin.
Skin Care While Stressed: Get Your Basics Right
Once your lifestyle foundation is back in balance, then it’s time to simplify your skincare:
- Cleanse gently. Avoid stripping cleansers that worsen dryness.
- Hydrate. A good moisturiser helps restore your barrier and lock in moisture.
- Antioxidants (like Vitamin C). These fight inflammation and help brighten dull skin — but choose formulations with proven activity. Ask a professional if you’re unsure.
- SPF every single day. Sun exposure is inflammatory too, and it accelerates collagen breakdown. Protect your skin so you’re not undoing your progress.
From there, you can build up to more advanced treatments — like medically led wrinkle reduction injectables — with a calm, healthy skin base and a clear plan.
Final Thoughts
When you’re stressed, your skin is speaking a language — and it’s saying, “Slow down.”
Treat the cause first, not just the consequence. Because the truth is, no skincare product (or even injection) can fully outpace chronic stress.
But when you rebalance your lifestyle — nourishing your body, moving more, sleeping better, and pausing for yourself — your skin responds. The glow returns, the breakouts fade, and fine lines soften.
So next time your skin looks a little off, don’t just reach for the serum. Ask yourself: what’s really going on?
Your skin is a storyteller — and at InjectSet, we’re here to help it tell a healthier, more confident story.
💬 Ready to Simplify Your Skincare
If you’re unsure and are looking for guidance for what suits your skin, lifestyle and support with medically based age management, book a consultation and I’ll cut through the jargon and help you find what works—for you.
👉 Book your consultation in Belsize Park, London
The fine print: This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Consultations are required to assess suitability before treatment. Individual results vary. No treatments are offered without a clinical assessment