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How to Balance Your Stress Hormone for Better Beauty & Wellness
Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” plays a vital role in managing stress, metabolism, and immune response. However, prolonged high cortisol levels can negatively impact your skin, hair, and overall well-being. If you’re feeling constantly stressed or noticing unexpected beauty concerns, your cortisol might be to blame.
Here are some tell-tale signs of High Cortisol Levels
1. Persistent Acne & Breakouts – I noticed a lot of the breakouts around my jawline and chin when I dealt with high cortisol levels. Stress-induced oil production can lead to clogged pores and inflammation.
2. Hair Thinning & Shedding – Elevated cortisol can disrupt hair growth cycles, causing increased hair fall.
3. Weight Gain (Especially in the tummy area) – High cortisol levels encourage fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. You may also feel you are dieting and exercises and the weight won’t come off.
4. Sleep Disturbances – Feeling burnout during the day then suddenly feeling awake when you try to go to bed? Difficulty falling asleep or frequent waking at night may be a result of cortisol imbalances.
5. Cortisol moon face – Cortisol face is a real thing! Fluid retention and inflammation can make your face look swollen and puffy.
6. Increased Sugar & Junk Food Cravings – Cortisol spikes can make you crave unhealthy comfort foods, for me this was a lot of chocolate or salty food like chips leading to blood sugar imbalances.
7. Fatigue & Brain Fog – High cortisol can leave you feeling drained and mentally sluggish.
8. Weakened Immunity & Slow Healing – If you’re getting sick more often or your skin is slow to heal, cortisol may be suppressing your immune system.
Natural Remedies to Lower Cortisol & Enhance Beauty
1. Prioritize Sleep
Sleep and lowering stress levels is super important when healing high cortisol levels. Aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep by:
- Establishing a relaxing nighttime routine( I will do a separate post on just this)
- Limiting screen time before bed
- Try calming essential oils like lavender, another thing I incorporate is spraying a magnesium spray on the soles of my feet before bedtime.
2. Nourish Your Body with Anti-Stress Foods
A balanced diet and frequent small healthy snacks can regulate cortisol and promote glowing skin. Focus on:
- Magnesium-rich foods (avocados, spinach, dark chocolate). Even a supplement like this one.
- Healthy fats (salmon, nuts, olive oil)
- Adaptogenic herbs (I loved ashwagandha and lemon balm for this)
3. Practice Stress-Reducing Techniques
Calm your mind and body with:
- Deep breathing & meditation (lowers cortisol instantly)
- Yoga & light exercise like walking(gentle movement balances hormones), I am a high intensity/ strength training girl but this can cause a lot of stress on the body so low impact is ideal while healing.
- Spending time in nature (fresh air helps reduce stress levels)
4. Limit Stimulants & Processed Sugar
No one likes this piece of advice but caffeine and sugar can keep cortisol elevated. Swap coffee for herbal teas or my personal favorite chaga mushroom latte for a gentler energy boost. If you can’t live without your morning coffee, try to eat a breakfast before having your first cup.
5. Skincare for Cortisol-Induced Breakouts & Sensitivity
If stress is showing up on your skin:
- Use soothing ingredients like aloe vera and niacinamide
- Avoid harsh chemicals that strip the skin’s barrier
- Add facial massage or gua sha to your skin care regimen
Final Thoughts
Managing cortisol naturally is essential for inner and outer beauty. By making small lifestyle changes, you’ll notice improved energy, clearer skin, stronger hair, and an overall sense of wellness. Take care of your stress levels, and your beauty will thank you!