Stress happens to all of us, fact, but what we often don’t realise is the effect it can have on not only our mood but our skin too!Daily stressors such as insufficient sleep, an unhealthy lifestyle, a demanding job…can unfortunately manifest as blemishes, wrinkles, and skin inflammation.Below are 5 ways stress can affect our appearance but also 5 ways to reduce it! Phew I hear you say…. Under-eye bags Who hasn’t been blessed with those delightful under-eye bags many a morning!? We all know how important beauty sleep is but sadly late/sleepless nights due to work commitments or stress can lead to dark circles and under-eye bags when we awaken.Prevent dark, puffy peepers Say no to that extra glass of vino, or another catch up episode of MAFS and get yourself to bed stat! Giving yourself as much shut-eye as possible will only stand you in good stead. Forget climbing into bed and reaching for your phone! (Guilty as charged!) Instead, opt for a book or simply unwind and relax in preparation for peaceful slumber (think meditation, soft music, dim lights) Try elevating your head (so no tummy sleeping with your face on the bed unsupported by a pillow please!) this will reduce fluid naturally draining to the skin under your eyes. Finally arm yourself with a good eye cream and concealer. Our current favourites are Vie Collection Chrono Eyes Puffiness – Dark Circles Wrinkle Cream and ELES Dual Action Concealer Premature ageing When you’re stressed your body releases cortisol (the stress hormone). Sadly it’s infamous for breaking down collagen, the protein which keeps your complexion supple and firm! If like me, you’ll also be guilty of frowning, which unfortunately can lead to deeper, permanent wrinkles in these areas over time. Eek.Minimise lines and wrinkles Use anti-ageing products specifically targeted at your problem area. Products rich in Retinol and Vitamin C will help boost collagen production. We are in LOVE with Vie Collection's Retinopur Wrinkles Imperfections Fluid Eat a healthy balanced diet rich in superfoods as these really do assist in counteracting premature ageing. Think green veggies which help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and oily fish which induces telomere growth. Oh and regular exercise increases levels of endorphins which effectively fight the effects of cortisol (the darn stress hormone we mentioned earlier!) Dry skin As well as breaking down collagen, Cortisol also decreases the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturiser we all need, so skin becomes dry and damaged.Maintain hydrated skin Firstly (yes we’ve all heard this before!) drink plenty of water, every single day! The more you drink, the more hydrated your skin will look and feel! Set this as your daily mantra. Secondly, ensure your skin care routine includes product rich in hyaluronic acid to deeply nourish the layers of your skin. We are currently lusting after the Vie Collection Mesoforce Hyaluronic Acid Vitamin Mask Also using gentle products rich in antioxidants and soothing ingredients can support the skin during stressful times. Breakouts Dealing with a sudden breakout? You’ve awoken to a chin full of pesky pimples? Chances are your body is producing the dreaded cortisol at a mighty rate which in turn tells your sebaceous glands to produce more pore-clogging oil! Stress can also cause an imbalance of good bacteria versus bad bacteria in your gut which can present itself in acne.Reduce spots and blemishes Exfoliate: This will unclog your pores, drawing out any oil or congesting reducing spots. It’ll also remove dead skin cells resulting in clearer skin while increasing blood circulation for a brighter, radiant complexion. But be careful not to over exfoliate! A couple of times a week it plenty otherwise you can risk stripping your skin of its natural healthy oils! We recommend Phytomer Marine Scrub Creamy Exfoliant. Moisturise: There is the misconception that moisturising oily skin will make spots worse but this is definitely not the case! By not moisturising daily, skin will become dry which in turn can stimulate excess oil production to compensate for the loss of moisture. Clever but not helpful! Conceal: If you want to cover blemishes try using a mineral concealer which is formulated with skin protecting ingredients that allow the skin to breathe freely. Eat a well-balanced diet. Fruits, vegetables, and high-quality proteins like grass-fed meats are also crucial (they keep a balance between the good and bad bacteria in your gut), as is cutting down on sugar. Rosacea & Eczema Whether you are prone to rosacea and/or eczema or not, stress can trigger skin irritation. When we are stressed our bodies release more neuropeptides and neurotransmitters than usual. This causes inflammation and dilates the blood vessels within our skin.Redness relief Invest in rosacea specific skincare products, formulated with skin nurturing and relieving ingredients which reduce flushing, erythrosis, couperose and rosacea while hydrating and soothing the skin. We highly recommend Vie Collection’s Rosa Control Relief Concentrate. And to conceal use a CC Cream which will mask the redness while calming the skin.

Does your skin react to everything and anything? Are you prone to breakouts? Do you find you get easily flushed especially in hot or cold temperatures? Do you have broken capillaries or suffer from sensitive skin irritation and inflammation?If you’ve answered yes to any or all of the above, we feel you, and so do millions of others!Unfortunately any number of things can contribute to skin sensitivity some of which are out of our control – genetics, the environment, the weather, our hormones, the water – but by following these 10 simple lifestyle tips we promise they can make a huge difference to not only your complexion but your confidence too! Say no to hot water Try not to wash your face with hot water. This will not only cause your skin to feel flushed and in turn aggravated. The hot water also strips your skin of the healthy oils which we desperately need.Luke warm water will be your friend. Get your sensitive skin care routine down pat I know you’re on the search for that perfect product, the one that is right for your sensitive skin but don’t continually trial product after product back to back. This will aggravate your skin and mess with its natural pH balance. Try to stick to one skincare regime using the same range. Keep things simple.Try; Pevonia’s RS2 range, specifically created to alleviate rosacea symptoms, or as a preventative for those with sensitive skin, the range – cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser - effectively relieve discomfort by strengthening capillaries, soothing, hydrating and rendering skin evenly toned and visibly calmed. Go natural Using natural skincare will not only improve the health of your skin but also contribute to a safer environment. Try to opt for natural skincare products containing soothing, calming and nurturing ingredients such as chamomile, calendula, aloe, lavender and propolis. These will help overcome skin sensitivities.Try;Pevonia Soothing Propolis ConcentratePevonia RS2 Care CreamPevonia Soothing Sensitive Skin Cleanser Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise Ensure you moisturise every single day, morning and night. Moisturising helps to lock in water and prevents sensitive skin from drying gut.Try; Pevonia Soothing Sensitive Skin Cream Don’t over expose yourself to the sun This can damage your already sensitive skin by making it more prone to flare ups. Also keep reactions at bay by opting for a fragrance-free, natural sunscreen. Best to wear a hat too! Red wine can be the enemy (eek) If you’re like me you’ll love a glass of wine in the evenings, but try to steer clear of red. Why red you say? Red wine promotes the opening of blood vessels in the skin and is a histamine releaser which causes redness and flushing, it also deprives the skin of vital vitamins. Hydration is key Drink plenty of water. Water not only rehydrates you but also flushes away toxins and replenishes skin tissue. Drinking enough water can fight off skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and rosacea all common skin sensitivities. We are what we eat Eat lots of green leafy vegetables and foods rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. Foods rich with Vitamin C and E are beneficial for the skin as they not only serve as excellent antioxidants they also promote a healthy immune system. Think broccoli, kale, spinach, avocados, fish, nuts, seeds, blueberries, strawberries…the list goes on. Always remove makeup before going to bed Sleeping with a face full of makeup can and will result in skin irritability and breakouts. Makeup not only traps dead skin cells it also blocks our pores and when pores are blocked the skin can’t breathe and therefore regenerate! Sleep more, stress less Of course this is easier said than done! Especially if you have children, work long hours or generally have a lot going on in your life. But…if it’s possible to put your head down even half an hour earlier at night it’ll make all the difference and allow your skin to repair and regenerate and your brain to recharge!

Red in the face lately? If it’s more than just a rosy complexion or a slight flush, you might have rosacea, a chronic skin disorder resulting in distinct and constant redness. Since rosacea has no known cure, we wanted to find the best way to prevent flare-ups and treat the symptoms.Dr. Christian Jurist, a certified dermatologist and medical director of global education for Pevonia, recently took time to answer all of our most pressing rosacea questions so you can calm to redness.What is rosacea?Rosacea is a chronic and progressive, micro-circulation disorder visibly resulting in persistent redness, dilated capillaries, congestion, and last but not least, papules and pustules (breakouts!).How do I know if I have rosacea?Affected individuals will usually suffer from spells of flushing and blushing presenting skin redness and sometimes a burning sensation. Dilated capillaries under the skin are common as well.What triggers rosacea?Usually rosacea is triggered by extreme temperature changes, sun exposure, emotions and stress, hormonal changes, certain cosmetic products, spicy foods, ingestion of alcoholic beverages like wine, and also hot beverages such as coffee.What should I avoid if you have rosacea?Primarily, the triggers mentioned above should be avoided. Then, a proper, gentle and dedicated skin care regimen to control and treat the sensitivity of rosacea skin should be followed. It is recommended to visit a dermatologist as well for a professional point of view.What treatments can be used for rosacea?Gentle products intended to soothe, cool and calm sensitized skin are the main focus. Doctors mostly rely on antibiotics to control a certain population of micro-organisms that can worsen the condition. In addition, doctors will recommend sunscreen to reduce skin damage. Last but not least, concealing mineral makeup is recommended to cover and/or cancel out redness. Pevonia® offers the RS2 Rosacea range for home use and a Professional Treatment Mask administered at a qualified salon or spa.Do treatments differ between mild and severe rosacea?As Rosacea advances, the treatment must be adapted to address the current condition of the skin and affected areas. If Rosacea is not managed properly and is not under control or worsens, targeted medical treatment is required to control further damage beyond the skin. Rosacea products for home use can be used at any stages, but it is recommended to have periodic examination by a skin professional to learn if a modification of the recommended routine is necessary.What ingredients should I look for in products to help remedy rosacea?Green tea, licorice extract, chamomile extract, and French rose extract are very effective ingredients to control rosacea symptoms when used on a regular basis. In general, any ingredients that can reduce skin irritation and calm the skin are ideal.For further information on Pevonia and to find your closest salon or spa visit www.pevonia.com.au