SKIN SCIENCE
The Emotional Impact of Uneven Tone + Texture
As the body’s largest organ, our skin is vitally important to our overall health and wellbeing. Everyone wants flawless skin, and even small changes in skin surface and pigmentation can be both physically and emotionally challenging.
Multiple studies have shown that skin, as a person's primary interface with their surroundings, influences judgments of health, personality traits, youthfulness, and emotional and psychological well-being. A study published by the National Institute of Health showed that smooth skin is also a major factor in perceptions of overall attractiveness since, much like white teeth, it instantly indicates good health.
If you are suffering with hyperpigmentation, Keratosis Pilaris, or other skin tone and texture concern, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. In a study of patients with one or more pigmentary disorders, 47% of patients admitted feeling self-conscious about their skin, 33% felt unattractive because of their skin, and 33% put effort into hiding their pigment changes.
A gentle, but consistent skincare routine can help boost self-esteem and increase confidence.
When our skin looks and feels good, we tend to feel better about ourselves. Self-care triggers the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters in the brain. A skincare routine, like any other form of self-care, can be soothing and calming and give us a sense of control.
The act of caring for our skin also provides an opportunity for mindfulness. Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. This practice has been shown to buffer depression and anxiety by stopping worry and rumination. By engaging in an activity for even a few minutes, we can help our brain disconnect from less healthy, negative patterns. A new skincare routine may be just the boost your skin and your wellbeing needs.
References:
Humphrey S, Manson Brown S, Cross SJ, Mehta R. Defining Skin Quality: Clinical Relevance, Terminology, and Assessment. Dermatol Surg. 2021 Jul 1;47(7):974-981. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003079. PMID: 34148998; PMCID: PMC8231670.
Goldie K, Kerscher M, Fabi SG, Hirano C, Landau M, Lim TS, Woolery-Lloyd H, Mariwalla K, Park JY, Yutskovskaya Y. Skin Quality - A Holistic 360° View: Consensus Results. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Jun 14;14:643-654. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S309374. PMID: 34163203; PMCID: PMC8214518.
Little AC, Jones BC, DeBruine LM. Facial attractiveness: evolutionary based research. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2011 Jun 12;366(1571):1638-59. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0404. PMID: 21536551; PMCID: PMC3130383.
Dabas G, Vinay K, Parsad D, Kumar A and Kumaran M. Psychological disturbances in patients with pigmentary disorders: A cross-sectional study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019. Accepted Author Manuscript. doi:10.1111/jdv.15987
Taylor A, Pawaskar M, Taylor SL, Balkrishnan R, Feldman SR. Prevalence of pigmentary disorders and their impact on quality of life: a prospective cohort study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Sep;7(3):164-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00384.x. PMID: 18789050.
Zhang L, Adique A, Sarkar P, Shenai V, Sampath M, Lai R, Qi J, Wang M, Farage MA. The Impact of Routine Skin Care on the Quality of Life. Cosmetics. 2020; 7(3):59. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7030059.
Lyall LM, Wyse CA, Graham N, Ferguson A, Lyall DM, Cullen B, Celis Morales CA, Biello SM, Mackay D, Ward J, Strawbridge RJ, Gill JMR, Bailey MES, Pell JP, Smith DJ. Association of disrupted circadian rhythmicity with mood disorders, subjective wellbeing, and cognitive function: a cross-sectional study of 91 105 participants from the UK Biobank. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018 Jun;5(6):507-514. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30139-1. Epub 2018 May 15. PMID: 29776774.
Understanding the chemicals controlling your mood (cbhs.com.au)
What is Mindfulness? - Mindful. https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
Parmentier FBR, García-Toro M, García-Campayo J, Yañez AM, Andrés P, Gili M. Mindfulness and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the General Population: The Mediating Roles of Worry, Rumination, Reappraisal and Suppression. Front Psychol. 2019 Mar 8;10:506. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00506. PMID: 30906276; PMCID: PMC6418017.
