Chemistry of stress

Overview

In day-to-day life there are so many stressful situations that make us react to the outside world in a way that puts us on edge.

To keep equilibrium between us and the environment we’re exposed to, we need to understand the chemistry of stress and its ageing effect on the skin. Talking about it can be a long story. So, I have selected only the most relevant information for this topic.

 

Biological Effects of Stress

In response to stress, physical or emotional,  secretion of various hormones in the body changes. The ones that have a direct impact on the skin are the following:

Cortisol is produced by keratinocytes (epidermis outermost layer). An increase in the level of cortisol leads to disruption of ceramides, the skin cells that hold the protective layer of the skin together. This leads to dryness, dehydration,  loss of elasticity, glow and deepening of lines and dynamic wrinkles.

Catecholamines are hormones and  neurotransmitters produced in nerve tissue, adrenal gland and the brain. They are also known as adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine. The prolonged exposure to an elevated level of them leads to weakened immunity and poor absorption of nutrients in the gut including development of a coeliac disease. This will have a profound impact on the skin. We all know  that healthy skin begins in the gut as it provides building blocks for repair and healthy function.

Gonadotropin, this is my first favourite – releasing hormones produced by the pituitary gland, the master gland. Its suppression leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle leading to breakouts. It is due to changes in estrogen and progesterone.

Thyroid hormones, imbalance in these important chemicals lead to slow metabolism and decrease in insulin level which leads to the process called glycation, in simple words, a prolonged exposure of  high level of sugar ( glucose molecules) in the blood which makes collagen and elastin fibres rigid and they loose their ability to regenerate and repair. It is a real problem for the skin.

 

Essential Active Ingredients for Ageing Skin

It all sounds pretty depressing but the good news is that the damage to the skin caused by stress can be reversed to a great extent and it is all down to what is in your skincare product.

Before you make a decision  about what to use on the skin always reach out for help from a skincare professional and always read the list of active ingredients on a box and understand what they do. In the case of stressed and ageing skin your product must contain a Peptide complex. The main peptides and neuropeptides to look out for are as follows:

NEIROPHROLINE – blocks the production of Cortisol and reverses its devastating effect on the skin.

ARGIRELINE (Acetil Hexapeptide-8) – eliminates dynamic wrinkles due to its targeted effect on expression lines and target movements. Promotes collagen production and its function, improves moisture level in the skin. Acts in the skin similar to Botulinum Toxin without the potential side effect.

MATRIXYL MORPHOMICS – a combination of seven peptides that improves  appearance of frown lines. It is extremely effective when combined with HA (hyaluronic acid) and Retinol.

DERMAXYL (Palmitoyl Oligopeptide plus Ceramide 2) – rehydrates the skin, prevents DNA damage and repairs sun damaged cells.

VIALOX (Peptapeptide – 3) – causes muscles to stay relaxed.

LEUPHASYL (Pentapeptide 3) – decreases the nerve cell activity resulting in relaxing muscle contraction and reduction of expression lines.

 

Product Recommendations 

Here is a list of my recommended products where you can find these magic ingredients. I have picked a few options for you from our professional skin brand Environ:

Antioxidant and peptide eye gel ( Matrixyl, Dermaxyl)

Vita peptide eye gel ( Matrixyl, Dermaxyl, Argireline)

Avance DFP 312 Elixir (Tri-Peptide complex)

Avance DFP 312 Cream ( Matrixyl, Trylagen – a combination of Peptides and Proteins to support collagen)

Focus Frown Serum ( Agireline, Leuphasyl)

AVST 3, 4  and 5 ( Matrixyl)

Vita – Peptide C-Quence Serum 1- 4 and 4 plus ( Matrixyl, Dermaxyl)

Environ SERIENCE Night Serum  – my absolute star product ( Neirophroline, Argirelin, Matrixyl Morphomics, Malachite – neuropeptide complex to restore radiance). This ingredient is unique to this particular formula. Environ Serience Night Serum can be combined with any other products in the range and is perfect for all skin types.

 

And Finally…

One important point I would like to make is that you get a better result if the Cosmetic Roll CIT is used which allows for improved and faster delivery of active ingredients into the skin.

In order to achieve even greater and longer lasting results and set your skin into the age-reverse gear, introduce the Skin Collagen Support with the Skin Youth Biome by Advanced Nutrition Program. I hope you will find this information helpful and  please do feel free to email us if you have any questions about the best skincare regime for yourself.

 

Many thanks

Holding Back Time at Leonilla.com