Let’s be honest — we all know what stress feels like. Even the most zen, grounded souls aren't immune to it. Whether it’s deadlines at work, an overflowing to-do list, family or relationship pressure, bills to pay, or the unrealistic standards we absorb from social media — stress finds its way in.

Often? It’s all of the above.

And when stress becomes a regular visitor (or overstays its welcome), it starts to show up on your skin — think furrowed brows, painful breakouts, or dark circles that not even the best concealer can hide.

How to fight stressed out skin

Here’s what I’ve found helps the most — and what I recommend to my clients and customers, too:

🌿 Use Skin-Calming Ingredients

Look for skincare that soothes and strengthens your skin barrier.
My go-to ingredients include:

Chamomile water – anti-inflammatory and calming
Shea butter – rich and nourishing for dry or sensitive skin
Hyaluronic acid – deeply hydrates without clogging pores
Calendula oil – healing, calming, and gentle on all skin types

You’ll find all of these in my BAO Skincare collection, which I formulated with sensitive, stressed skin in mind.

Skin food recipes

These recipes are ideal for anyone trying to reduce the effects of stress on the skin and promote a natural, healthy radiance.

See Recipes

So, What Does Stress Actually Do to Your Skin?

Our bodies are biologically wired for fight-or-flight. While we’re thankfully no longer being chased by saber-toothed tigers, our nervous system doesn’t know the difference between life-threatening danger and the pressure of a busy inbox.

When stress kicks in, your body prioritises your vital organs — the heart, lungs, brain. And unfortunately? The skin isn’t on that list.

As blood and oxygen rush to your internal organs, circulation to your skin decreases. Then come the adrenaline and cortisol spikes, which:

Disrupt your immune system
Slow collagen production
Reduce your natural antioxidants and moisturising oils

The result? A compromised skin barrier, flare-ups, dullness, inflammation, or even hormonal imbalances that trigger deeper skin issues.

My Personal Story

Over the past few years, I’ve had more than my fair share of stress. Living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitishas taken a serious toll on my hormones, skin, and energy levels.

I’ve experienced: