STRESS. It's practically a resting emotion for most of us these days . . . From work to relationships to that one god-forsaken intersection you face on your daily commute, stress hits us from all directions.

To make matters worse, the implications of stress don't stop with emotional duress. Stress also affects us biologically. It raises a number of problems that can rear their head via a rather unfortunate channel—your skin.

How exactly does stress translate to your complexion? And what can we do to combat it?

1. Inflammation

Stress can trigger or aggravate skin conditions associated with inflammation, such as acne, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and more. This is due to stress hormones (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine) enacting the creation of pro-inflammatory molecules within the body. Rashes, redness, and swelling are just some of the ways inflammation takes form on your skin.

2. Longer Healing Time

Because excess stress can take such a toll on your immune system, your body's ability to heal surface abrasions such as scratches might be stunted. The natural healing process can take longer—a major cause for concern in the event you were to be injured.

3. Acne

Prolonged activation of pathways within the body, such as the autonomic nervous system, also adversely affects the condition of your skin.

All is not lost, babe! There are many combative measures to ameliorate the surface level effects of stress. For instance, sufferers of stress-induced acne could find improvement through an effective, gentle cleanser. Beauty By Earth recommends our Sea Kelp Cleanser to target those pesky pimples:

4. Aging

Overwhelming amounts of stress can also speed up the process of aging. For those who are beginning to notice the formation of wrinkles and fine lines as a result of recent anxiety, a protective, hydrating cream could prove extremely helpful. BBE's Anti-Aging Cream is incredibly effective and especially calming to the application:

However, the main objective should always be to address the emotion at the source. Stress can really take its toll on your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. You owe it to yourself to take some time to decompress and regroup, no matter what is on your plate.

Some practices to alleviate the worry include:

• Yoga or meditation
• Breathing exercises
• A warming bath (perhaps with a bath bomb?)
• Cuddling up with your pets
• Exercise
• Journaling
• Get some sleep

It can take a little trial and error to figure out what works best for you, but it's an important thing to invest in regardless. Everyone deserves some peace—it's biological to require rest! So, if you're one of the many boss babes out there who find themselves constantly on edge, allow yourself to surrender some of the load; your skin will thank you for it.

Breathe in, and out, you've got this—

Camille