How Stress and Grief Impact Skin Aging

Reddit users have been discussing whether grief can accelerate skin aging. Research shows it can, but there are ways to combat it.

Stress can impact nearly every aspect of your health, and the specific stress that comes from losing a loved one — grief — can have a serious effect on many facets of your wellbeing.

Amidst a period of grief, one Reddit user asked the r/30PlusSkinCare Reddit thread whether grief brought on by the death of their father might be negatively impacting their skin.

“I have noticed a lot more crow's feet despite keeping my routine constant,” wrote user single5evers. “My skin has also lost its brightness and my adult acne is more prominent.”

The original poster (OP) went on to explain that they’ve lost several loved ones in their life, but this is the first time they’ve noticed skin issues as a result.

They asked the Reddit community if anyone had faced anything similar and if anything had helped, and they were met with a wave of sympathetic replies explaining how grief can, in fact, impact skin and offering tips to help combat the effects.

Reddit users share similar experiences

In response to the post, many Reddit users who’ve also lost a parent chimed in to say they’ve experienced something similar.

“Hey OP, so sorry to hear this and I completely empathize,” wrote user Late-Sea-8217. “I lost my dad unexpectedly a year ago and my skin looked awful, to the point where I stopped looking in mirrors to the extent possible because I hated being reminded so visibly of my grief. Grief is stress, and stress is unfortunately terrible for your skin.”

Another user, pixie_dust1990, said they lost their mother just four months ago and their skin has since completely changed.

“I aged massively (33F), acne was so bad and just look tired and dull all the time,” they wrote.

User passingthroughhh, who lost their dad just two months ago, shared a similar experience.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” they wrote. “My skin has been acting up like crazy. I have cystic acne on both cheeks and on my chin. Never had any on my forehead until recently! I also look like I’ve aged too much suddenly.”

What the research says about grief and skin aging

Much research suggests that grief can impact skin because stress takes a major toll on the body as a whole.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the skin is the body’s largest organ and often reflects what’s happening inside.

“Our brain and skin are intimately linked, and they communicate with each other,” said board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr M.D., FAAD, in a statement. “This means that when we experience chronic stress from work, relationships or current events, the skin is both a target and a source of stress hormones, which can make the skin more vulnerable to itch, inflammation, irritation, and infection.”

The AAD says stress can cause increased inflammation, slow down wound healing, and negatively impact skin conditions. This is because glands produce more oil when under stress, and this can worsen acne in people who are prone to breakouts.

Stress can also be a trigger for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, the AAD adds.

In line with so many Reddit users’ experiences, the AAD says stress can have a major impact on how our skin ages. Stress hormones break down the collagen and elastin in skin and interfere with rejuvenation, the association says. This can speed up the aging process, causing more fine lines and wrinkles.

Potential solutions to aging skin

In addition to sharing their own experiences, many Reddit users responded to the thread offering solutions.

User pixie_dust1990, for example, wrote: “Things I did which are helping a little - lots and lots of sleep, water, good nutrition, botox, vitamin c moisturiser daily, washing my face daily and after exercise, monthly facials. Tiny changes but I feel like I am making some sort of a difference.”

And while some shared skincare solutions, others shared advice for overall health.

“I would keep doing your routine, but shift what you’re doing for full-body health,” wrote user liefelijk. “Make sure you’re exercising and drinking enough water. Consider taking a multi-vitamin and finding a good therapist. If you have clinical depression or anxiety, consider going on medication for it. Treat your body and mind and the skin will likely follow.”

One common response in the thread was simply to try not to worry about it too much and to take small, accessible self-care steps during such a difficult time.

“Focus on one step. Drink water,” wrote MassiveComment6813, who is an end-of-life doula. “That's all you have to do right now is focusing on drinking enough water. The rest of your efforts go towards navigating grief and working to integrate this loss into your life.”

Many also reassured the OP that their skin returned to normal after some time.

The AAD, meanwhile, recommends focusing on mind-body practices to help reduce stress and improve skin. These include meditation, acupuncture, visualizations, breathwork, tai chi or qigong, and yoga.

Different techniques will work for different people, according to the AAD, and it’s important for individuals to find the right approach for them.

“In order to take care of our skin, we need to take a much more holistic approach and look at all the factors that influence it,” Barr said. “Learning how to manage your stress response is a very powerful addition to every skin care regimen.”

In line with so many Reddit users’ experiences, the AAD says stress can have a major impact on how our skin ages. Stress hormones break down the collagen and elastin in skin and interfere with rejuvenation, the association says. This can speed up the aging process, causing more fine lines and wrinkles.