Do you suffer from stress? These cosmetics lower the cortisol level (and therefore improve your skin)

If there is one thing we are constantly subjected to, it is stress. When you first encounter a potential threat, the hypothalamus, a small part of the brain, activates an alarm system in the body that causes the adrenal glands, which are located next to the kidneys, to release hormones linked to anxiety, including cortisol Experts explain found that cortisol increases in an alert situation, increasing glucose levels in the bloodstream to help repair brain and tissue. However, its presence presents side effects. Cortisol “has a major impact on the skin by producing an alteration of neuropeptides, altering the hydrolipidic barrier or fueling aging cascades through glycation processes, by increasing sugar levels in the body,” explains Catalina Narváez, director of education at Aromatherapy Associates, from.

According to every person, cortisol can influence in one way or another. “The most common is to see how acne processes appear due to an overproduction of sebum or even the opposite, hypersensitivity of the skin. due to a complete lack of lipids in the barrier function,” explains Elisabeth San Gregorio, technical director of Medik8. Although in the short term it can lead to breakouts or redness due to sensitivity, over time cortisol is responsible for aging ” We must think that inflammatory processes, such as acne, can accelerate skin aging. It also ages due to the increase in tissue glucose, which crystallizes and produces what we call glycation processes. In other words, the sugar crystallizes and breaks down collagen and elastin, which are essential to keep the skin looking young,” explains Valeria Navarro, technical director of the Korean company Boutijour.

How can cortisol levels be lowered?

The main way to reduce it is to lower the stress level, either because you learn to live with it and the body doesn’t see it as a source of anxiety in itself, or by doing more exercise or releasing stress with various activities. But… did you know that there are also products that help lower cortisol? While stress levels cannot be controlled, the effects of cortisol can be counteracted by applying cortisol-lowering active ingredients to the skin. One of these ingredients are bioactive microalgae of marine origin. Ingredients such as Vitamin C or Omegas 3, 6 and 9 also lower the amount of cortisol present in the body, making it essential to use them both topically and through a balanced diet.

anti-cortisol products

How about a serum? Medik8 Super C30 Intense (91.50 euros) contains vitamin C from ethylated ascorbic acid to lower the cortisol level. It also contains soothing turmeric extract, which will prevent possible inflammatory processes.

Another serum you’ll really like is Omorovicza’s Midnight Renewal ($155), which is fortified with bioactive microalgae to balance circadian rhythms, which can be altered by cortisol.