How to take care of your skin when you’re stressed

With the end of the year approaching, many of us feel our stress skyrocket. As there are many loose ends to tie up before the busy holiday season begins, it’s hard to find time for ourselves. Our self-care often gets pushed aside when we have numerous tasks and obligations to handle first. 

A complicated skincare routine is the last thing on your mind when you are trying to meet deadlines and mentally and emotionally prepare for the holiday season.

Here are some tips to help you take care of your skin, even when it’s the last thing on your mind.

1. Do Your Skincare Early

One thing I’ve started doing on days when I am exhausted and stressed is removing my makeup and doing my skincare routine as soon as I get home for the night. If I wait until right before I go to bed, I often have zero motivation to take the care I should with my skin. When I do my skincare before I let myself get comfy for the night, I prevent myself from falling asleep in my makeup and irritating my skin. Sleeping in makeup can lead to more than just breakouts — it can cause infections and skin irritation. If you do your skincare routine early, you’ll prevent yourself from ever falling into that habit. And you’ll be so thankful you did!

2. Go Back to the Basics

A 10-step skincare routine can make you feel amazing, but when you’re stressed and pressed for time, it might just add to your stress. If you only have a couple of minutes each morning and night to take care of your skin, make sure to cleanse and moisturize. That is the absolute bare minimum needed to keep your skin healthy (including SPF during the day).

By cleansing, you remove any makeup, dirt, and debris from the day. And when you moisturize, you replenish any moisture the cleanser or cold weather might have taken away. You’re caring for your skin barrier, which is the most important part of having healthy skin.

3. Carve Out Time for Self-Care

No matter how busy you are, there is always time to take care of yourself. Even if you can only carve out a few minutes once a week, those moments will make a big difference. Dedicating a little extra time to your skincare routine one evening each week lets you show your skin some love while giving yourself a chance to relax.

Take five minutes to apply a hydrating face mask, then sit down and unwind while it works. Put your phone down for those five minutes and truly allow your skin and mind to relax. A hydrating face, hand, or foot mask can do wonders for your stress levels by making you slow down and pause for a few moments.

4. Try Not to Touch Your Face

When I feel stressed and anxious, I tend to touch my face more often. This can cause more breakouts and skin irritation, which will probably make you feel even more stressed. If touching a pimple is too tempting when you’re stressed, placing a pimple patch over any active breakouts can really help prevent you from doing so. Plus, acne patches contain ingredients that help heal breakouts faster, so you’re also assisting their healing without taking extra time out of your day!

5. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water can help keep your skin hydrated, especially during the colder winter months. If you’re stressed and not drinking enough water, it can make your skin drier and less plump. Dehydrated skin often appears quite oily, even though it is begging for more moisture. One way to help add that moisture is to drink plenty of water. Staying well-hydrated will help you feel better overall, so honestly, drinking enough water each day is key to feeling well.

6. Be Kind to Yourself

At the end of the day, a breakout is just a breakout. It’s not the end of the world. Acne can be cleared. Dry skin can be hydrated. You can only do so much in one day, so if some days you do less for your skin than others, that’s okay. You can always make up for it the next day and get back on track. What’s most important is taking care of yourself and giving yourself the time to relax, rest, and recharge when needed. Your skin will bounce back, and so will you.