My skin is stressed: how can I care for it?

How to care for stressed skin?

Pollution, fatigue, emotional pressure: the skin also undergoes the consequences of stress. These imbalances can adversely affect its comfort and radiance. What can be done to restore its balance? Let us take stock together.

Published on February 17, 2026, updated on February 17, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 9 min of reading

Stressed skin: what does this term refer to?

Stressed skin is defined as a condition in which cutaneous homeostasis — that is, the balance necessary for its proper functioning — is disturbed by external factors such as the pollution, UV radiation or climatic variations, but also by internal factors such as lack of sleep, hormonal fluctuations, an unbalanced diet or psychological stress. This situation triggers an acute neuroendocrine and immune response capable of temporarily altering the skin barrier function as well as several essential mechanisms, notably pigmentation, immune defence, tissue structural organisation and thermoregulation.

Les fonctions de la peau affectées par les facteurs de stress environnementaux.

Skin functions affected by environmental stressors.

Source: PETERS E. M. J. & al. Adult skin acute stress responses to short-term environmental and internal aggression from exposome factors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2021).

Clinically, this functional disorganisation can manifest as increased dryness, skin sensitivity, redness, itching, oilier areas, or even inflammatory flare-ups, as seen in cases of acne or of rosacea. Psychological stress indeed activates local hormonal pathways and skin immune cells that sustain inflammation and delay repair processes, thereby promoting the worsening of certain dermatoses, such as psoriasis or eczema. The skin thus appears both as a target and a relay of stress, within a complex network involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and peripheral neuro-immune interactions, which explains the diversity of visible signs observed during acute or chronic exposure to stress.

What can be done to soothe stressed skin?

Taking care of stressed skin — and, where possible, preventing the onset of this cutaneous stress — primarily requires understanding the underlying biological mechanisms. During acute exposure to various exposome factors (UV, pollution, lack of sleep, psychological stress…), the skin may undergo several simultaneous alterations : weakening of the barrier function, inflammation, DNA damage, stimulation of the melanogenesis or disruption of sebum production sebum. Clinically, these imbalances manifest as a dryness or, conversely, a hyperseborrhoea, a dull complexion, redness, increased sensitivity, itching, inflammatory flare-ups or pigmentary disorders.

Prevention is based on measures designed to limit the impact of these stressors.

It all begins with sound photoprotective measures (the systematic use of a sunscreen, reduced UV exposure, especially in summer and during the hottest hours, wearing protective clothing...). Concurrently, adopting a balanced lifestyle — sufficient sleep, a varied diet, regular physical activity, stress management — directly contributes to skin homeostasis. Finally, strengthening the skin’s biological defenses involves treatments capable of supporting the skin barrier and protecting it from environmental aggressors: active antioxidants, moisturising care and regular exfoliation contribute to preserving the functional integrity of the epidermis.

When the skin is already stressed, the skincare routine must be adjusted according to the signs observed. Dry, uncomfortable skin will primarily require moisturising and lipid-replenishing formulations, rich in occlusive agents, aimed at restoring the skin barrier, while skin prone to redness or itching will benefit more from soothing and anti-inflammatory active ingredients, such as Centella asiatica or azelaic acid. In the presence of blemishes, keratolytic agents, such as glycolic acid, antibacterial agents, such as zinc PCA, and mattifying agents, such as bamboo extract, will be of interest.

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This personalised approach can be synthesised in the summary table below, presenting the primary effects of stressors on the skin and the corresponding adaptive responses.

Stress factor	Impaired skin function	Biological mechanisms	Clinical manifestations	`…` Solutions
Solar radiation	Skin barrier, pigmentation, structure	Increased water loss, dysregulation of melanogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen degradation	Dryness, sunburn, pigmentation spots, wrinkles, photosensitivity	Daily photoprotection, antioxidants
Pollution	Skin barrier, pigmentation	Sebum peroxidation, oxidative stress, inflammation, alteration of the microbiome	Dry or sensitive skin, imperfections, spots	Gentle cleansing, antioxidants, hydration
Climatic variations	Structure of the skin barrier	Increased water loss, altered sebum production and inflammation	Dryness, pruritus, flare-ups of eczema or rosacea	Lipid-replenishing and hydrating treatments, protection against cold or wind
Stress	Skin barrier, immunity	Tight junction dysfunction, inflammation, immunosuppression, increased cortisone levels	Redness, pruritus, acne flare-ups, psoriasis, eczema, hair loss	Stress management, physical activity, soothing and restorative care
Sleep deprivation	Skin barrier	Elevated oxidative stress, inflammation and impaired wound healing	Dull complexion, dryness, inflammatory flare-ups	Sleep hygiene, hydrating and antioxidant skin care routine
Dietary imbalance	Skin barrier, immunity	Skin lipid alteration, inflammation, modified microbiome	Acne, dry or oily skin	Balanced diet, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants
Hormonal fluctuations	Sebum, structure, immunity	Hormonal stimulation of sebum production, inflammation	Acne, alopecia, dryness or hyperseborrhoea	Skincare regimen tailored to your skin type, with medical monitoring if necessary
Medications, irritant procedures, repeated washing	Skin barrier, microbiome	Irritation, inflammation, microbial imbalance, increased water loss	Dryness, redness, sensitivity, imperfections	Mild cleansers, barrier creams, spacing of irritant exposures

The principal cutaneous stress factors, their effects and the appropriate responses required.

Adapted from: PETERS E. M. J. et al. Adult skin acute stress responses to short-term environmental and internal aggression from exposome factors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2021).