Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. It is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. We all experience stress to some degree and, in short bursts, it can actually be beneficial according to The Cleveland Clinic. It can keep you alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. If you have an important test coming up (or a tiger is chasing you), a stress response might help your mind or body work harder. Chronic stress, however, can negatively impact your physical and mental health.

Stress shows up on your skin. When life gets busy, your complexion can lose its luster, leading to redness, irritation, breakouts, dryness and a dull complexion. Learning to manage stress can help you both look and feel better, and incorporating certain routines and ingredients can help in that process.

There are several types of stress to contend with and each can have negative effects on your skin health:

• Environmental Stressors: Examples of this type of stressor include pollution, UVA, UVB and blue light exposure and extreme weather. These can lead to oxidative stress and present on the skin as premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles and inflammation.
• Lifestyle Stressors: Think of these stressors as your day-to-day habit and routines. Lack of sleep, poor diet and dehydration can all present as tightness, flakiness, dull appearance and uneven skin tone.
• Psychological Stressors: Excess cortisol and hormonal imbalance can manifest on the skin as increased oil production, resulting in congested pores and breakouts.
• Physical Stressors: When it comes to skin, more is not always more. Too much exfoliation or harsh chemical treatments can damage the skin barrier and present as rough texture, increased sensitivity and inflammation.

The Power of Adaptogenic Ingredients in Skin Care

Adaptogenic ingredients get their name from their ability to “adapt” when needed. They are known to help protect the skin against environmental stressors if that becomes necessary. In other words, when the skin is triggered, they get to work.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban explains to Popsugar: “Adaptogens are plant-based ingredients that help the cells adapt and regulate cellular responses, reactions to stress, hormonal triggers and adrenal function.” At first, adaptogenic ingredients were thought to focus only on the overall body’s response to stress, but more recently, the importance of these ingredients in also helping regulate dermal response and visible signs of aging has become more recognized. “We now know they are able to communicate and direct cells to increase attention to reduce stress-induced impairments and mitigate hormonal response — for the health, wellness and antiaging of our skin,” continues Dr. Shamban. To put it simply, these ingredients can help the skin, as well as the body, adapt to stress.

Key Adaptogenic Ingredients:

Tulsi: Also known as Holy Basil, this plant offers a range of benefits for the skin due to its potent antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with cleansing by removing impurities, excess oil and dirt from the skin. Tulsi can also fight acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation and potentially prevent future breakouts. It also contains vitamin C, which can help brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.  

Ashwagandha: Another multi-tasker in the skin care world, this Ayurvedic herb, also known as “Indian ginseng,” dates back over 3,000 years. Boasting both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this plant-of-all-trades can help to deeply cleanse the skin of impurities and improve acne breakouts. It also helps those with dry skin thanks to the hydrating hyaluronic acid found in its roots and its ability to add and retain moisture in the skin. And it’s revered for its ability to improve skin elasticity and reduce stress.  

Snow Mushroom: If a more youthful and radiant complexion is what you’re after, this fungus is for you. It acts as a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture in the skin. Much like hyaluronic acid, this plant can hold hundreds of times its weight in water, leaving the skin looking smoother and more supple. Beyond that, it helps support the skin’s natural barrier function, protecting against environmental stressors.  

Shiitake Mushroom: One of the big skin stressors comes from the environment. Between air pollution, ultraviolet rays and that ubiquitous blue light, it’s impossible to escape at least some of the damage coming at us from all directions. Enter: the antioxidant powerhouse that is the shiitake mushroom. By helping to protect against some of those stressors, this vitamin D-packed mushroom can help ward off the inflammation, dryness and premature aging that we deal with daily.  

Reishi Mushroom: You may be noticing a pattern here: The mighty mushroom is an adaptogenic powerhouse. Reishi in particular is a superstar when it comes to protecting the skin’s moisture barrier. It contains a high concentration of polysaccharides which improve hydration, as well as being a powerful source of antioxidants which help reduce puffiness.

A Skin Care Routine Using Adaptogenic Ingredients

While some of these adaptogenic ingredients might seem new to you, we have been using them at Skincare Butik for a while now. Eminence Organics Pure Forest Collection introduced adaptogenic ingredients several years ago with Birch Water Purifying Essence, Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream and Snow Mushroom & Reishi Masque. And, while we wish we could say that stress levels are on the decline, we can all agree that they most certainly are not. Sorry if that stresses you out!

The new additions to our Pure Forest Collection build on what the original products were created to do: Enhance the mind-body connection, transform the complexion and calm the visible effects of stress with replenishing, results-driven ingredients. With that in mind, we have created both a morning and evening routine designed to enhance your relaxation ritual and revitalize your skin and your senses.

• Step 1
  Start your day with a purifying cleanse. The Tulsi & Snow Mushroom Cleansing Milk is soft and milky in texture and gently lathers to wash away any impurities while replenishing hydration. Infused with tulsi, reishi, snow mushroom and birch water, this comforting face wash helps calm the look of redness due to dryness and minimize the appearance of blemishes. To achieve the ideal consistency for a soothing deep cleanse, combine two parts cleanser with one part water. Pro tip: If you wake up puffy, use the chilled Cool Skin Sculpting Tool to help address the excess fluid in your face and help contour before moving on to the next step.
  
  
• Step 2
  Tone, balance and energize your cleansed skin with the Hawthorn Tonique. Spray a couple of mists of this revitalizing toner all over your face (avoiding the eye area) and allow to dry.
  
  
• Step 3
  Restore moisture levels and help the skin absorb subsequent products with the lightweight Birch Water Purifying Essence. Birch water combats dryness while botanical collagen supports the appearance of elasticity and improved barrier function. To apply, dispense a small amount in hands or on a cotton pad and pat into skin. Leave on. Happy customer, Melanie L., loves this product, saying in an online review: “I can notice a difference in my skin when I use this product. It feels more hydrated all over and just seems to give my other skin care an extra boost.”
  
  
• Step 4
  Applying a lightweight vitamin C serum to cleansed and toned skin delivers antioxidants to help brighten the complexion, improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles and reduce the appearance of free radical damage. Applying 3-4 drops of the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum will also help the skin to appear firm, plumped and hydrated.
  
  
• Step 5
  Next up is a moisturizer that works for all skin types and will reveal a smooth, even and luminous complexion. The Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream can be applied as is or emulsified with a few drops of water for a lighter application. The results will leave skin looking firm, plumped and hydrated.
  
  
• Step 6
  Eye cream is a skin care step that is often overlooked but don’t sleep on this magical product. Whether you’re looking to decrease puffiness, smooth rough skin, provide intense hydration or diminish the appearance of undereye bags, the Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream is it. Packed with super humectant snow mushroom, plus reishi mushroom and birch water, this fluffy cream is the antidote to stressed skin. Pat gently on the entire eye area with your fingertips and let it absorb.
  
  
• Step 7
  Now that the skin is prepped for the day, a couple of finishing touches are in order. To protect skin from the harmful effects of blue light , while boosting moisture, a few spritzes of the Shiitake & Ashwagandha Bi-Phase Mist is a nourishing and refreshing step.
  
  
• Step 8
  Finally, before getting on with your day, an application of Sun Defense Minerals is a must. This powder sunscreen has an SPF of 30 and a feather-light feel. Best of all, it can be reapplied throughout the day, so there’s no excuse not to use it!
  
  

A Relaxing Nighttime Routine

• Step 1
  After a long day, a double cleanse is a welcome ritual. And the first step of this squeaky-clean habit is the oil cleanse. Our fan favorite Stone Crop Cleansing Oil is high atop the leader board when it comes to holy grail products. It gently removes surface buildup and impurities and leaves skin feeling hydrated but not greasy.
  
  
• Step 2
  The Tulsi & Snow Mushroom Cleansing Milk is the perfect second step of this two-part series. As well as getting rid of any lingering residue from the day, it will help banish signs of stress. Win win.
  
  
• Step 3
  To brighten, invigorate and refine your skin, follow the double cleanse with our Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant . This powder-to-foam exfoliant employs microgreens, stone crop and rice flour with adzuki flour to infuse skin with a youthful-looking glow. To use: Dispense a small amount of dry product to wet palm of hand and add a few drops of water. Rub hands together to create a foam and apply to face using circular motions, careful to avoid the delicate areas around the eye. Massage into skin before rinsing thoroughly with water and patting dry.
  
  
• Step 4
  Just like you did post-cleanse in the morning, balance and energize your skin with the Hawthorn Tonique. Spray a couple of mists of this revitalizing toner all over your face (avoiding the eye area) and allow to dry.
  
  
• Step 5
  There’s nothing like a mask at the end of the day to remove impurities and reveal a firm and healthy complexion. The Snow Mushroom & Reishi Masque does all of that and more. It contains caffeine to help revitalize the skin’s appearance, and reishi mushroom helps to depuff the face. Double down on the depuffing by using the Cryo-Thermo Sculpting Tool, either warm or cold. This will help the mask to absorb and leave the skin feeling amazing. Pro tip: Dilute the mask with a few drops of the Birch Water Purifying Essence instead of water to supercharge it even more.
  
  
• Step 6
  A nighttime application of the Birch Water Purifying Essence will not only help the rest of your skin care penetrate better, it will also replenish your skin and restore moisture levels.
  
  
• Step 7
  A serum at night is a skin care savior. Packed with actives, botanicals and antioxidants like vitamins C, A and E, serums target specific skin concerns like the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles or acne. For a boost at night, we recommend the Kombucha Microbiome Luminosity Serum. Perfect for all skin types, this gel serum can be used nightly to even the appearance of skin tone and boost the look of the skin’s luminosity. Once it has absorbed, add 3-4 drops of the Rosehip Triple C+ E Firming Oil to help fight the visible signs of aging, smooth the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate deeply.
  
  
• Step 8
  Eye cream is once again a non-negotiable here. Pat on the Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream and wake up with an eye area that looks refreshed, smooth and devoid of undereye bags.
  
  
• Step 9
  The Kombucha Microbiome Leave-On Masque is the perfect overnight treatment. This slow-absorbing mask is a luxurious final step in your routine. This formula features ginger and pre, pro* and postbiotics to visibly renew the appearance of the skin while supporting your moisture barrier. Ideal for all skin types, this mask helps the skin appear hydrated and healthy.
  
  
• Step 10
  Now that your face is taken care of, let’s continue the relaxation vibes with the Ashwagandha Ultra Rich Restorative Cream. The blend of ashwagandha, birch water, snow mushroom and reishi ingredients offers deep, nourishing hydration. Massage from head to toe for a sense of calm and replenishing moisture.
  
  

Why a Ritual Matters

While skin care is an important part of your overall skin health, it can also be part of a bigger self-care story. Making time for yourself allows you a daily opportunity to reconnect with your body and mood. The sensory experience that goes along with a morning and evening skin care routine signals your body and mind to relax. More than just skin deep, the results can improve many aspects of your life.

Would you like to achieve skin that looks calm and feels balanced? Try the routine and notice how it impacts not just your skin, but your overall mood. For help choosing products for a relaxing routine, visit Skincare Butik.

 
Credits: Eminence Skincare