My Skin Showed Me The Stress I Didn't Know I Was Feeling: This Is My New Soothing Routine

Stress manifests itself in all kinds of complex ways, and more often than not, it shows up in the largest organ of the body: the skin. I learned that the hard way over the past few months, via unexpected flare-ups and super sensitivity to temperature and environment changes.

I am a big believer that, when it comes to wellness, nothing exists in a silo. There's evidence that negative thoughts can make your food less nutritious, and my strengthening workouts changed the day I stopped thinking about my to-do list and started thinking about the muscles I was activating.

As a first step, I decided to apply this thinking to my skin care routine. I realized I was rushing through my regimen in the morning—often while in the shower—and not really thinking about what I was doing. How can I expect stressed-out skin to thrive in that environment?

So, I took advantage of these work-from-home days and carved out a few extra minutes to step out of the shower and do my morning cleanse, serum, moisturize at the sink. I also took the time to focus.

In the past, my need to feel clean has led to one too many face washings a day and a similar number of absent-minded product purchases. After a much-needed product overhaul, I leaned out my supply to the stressed-skin essentials I need.

I start my morning (and evening) wash with Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser, followed by Avene Thermal Water facial mist to wake me up and calm my occasional pillow face. I follow it with a complementary Burt's Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream...which I apply 100% of the time with my eyes closed 1) because I'm usually a little bit groggy and 2) so I can focus on the three cleansing breaths I take every morning. Yes, I deep cleanse my face and my mind at the same time—skin care + breathwork is an unbeatable self-care combo. After I crack my eyes open, I treat them to a little TLC with Youth to the People's Superfood Peptide Eye Cream. A few delicate dabs and I'm ready to face the day. 

Finally, I decided to fully acknowledge and accept that skin stress is real. These are extremely tense times, and we're just beginning to realize the toll it's taking on our minds and bodies.