Skin Stress and Adaptogens: The Dermatology Science Behind Resilient Skin
When life gets intense, your skin feels it too. If you’ve noticed redness, dullness, rough texture, dryness, blotchiness or breakouts during stressful periods, it’s not your imagination. Scientific research shows that increased stress triggers inflammatory and hormonal cascades that directly affect skin health and aging (Smith, 2014).
Welcome to the club. We have all felt it.
What Is Skin Stress
Skin stress describes the biological and visible effects that occur when stress hormones overwhelm the skin. Elevated cortisol can lead to:
- Redness and blotchiness
- Acne breakouts
- Sensitivity and dryness
- Rough texture and dehydration
- Faster visible aging
- Dullness and uneven tone
- Weakened barrier function
These reactions are caused by inflammation, oxidative stress and hormonal signaling that impacts every major layer of the skin (Busse et al., 2014).
How Stress Impacts Your Skin: The Science
1. Cortisol Weakens the Skin Barrier
Stress elevates cortisol, which can impair barrier lipids and increase transepidermal water loss.
2. Inflammation Intensifies
Inflammatory pathways activate, worsening redness, eczema, rosacea and acne.
3. Oil Production Increases
Stress hormones stimulate sebaceous glands, contributing to clogged pores and breakouts.
4. Collagen Breakdown Accelerates
Oxidative stress from chronic tension leads to decreased elasticity and faster aging (Ruhr-University Bochum, 2014).
Adaptogens: The Breakthrough Solution for Stressed and Hormone-Affected Skin
Adaptogens are botanicals traditionally used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen the body’s resilience to stress. Modern research confirms their benefits for the skin, showing improvements in inflammation, elasticity and skin homeostasis (JCAD, 2023).
Our founder, Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik is holistic dermatologist and topical adaptogens pioneer, leading recently published research on skin adaptogens. These topical adaptogens support the skin by:
- Calming redness and irritation
- Reducing inflammation in acne and rosacea
- Neutralizing free radicals
- Improving hydration and barrier function
- Supporting collagen
- Reducing visible aging
- Enhancing overall radiance
Clinical research shows that consistent use of plant-based adaptogens improves redness, dullness, pore size, pigmentation and skin texture (Blyumin-Karasik et al., 2025) (Clinikally, 2023).
Your Skin Can Smell Stress-Soothing Aromas
Research shows that skin cells contain olfactory receptors similar to those in the nose. When activated by aromatic compounds, these receptors can:
- Support wound healing
- Improve cell renewal
- Reduce inflammation
- Strengthen barrier repair
This discovery supports aromachology-informed skincare as a powerful tool for emotional and skin wellness (Smith, 2014; Ruhr-University Bochum, 2014; Busse et al., 2014).
Adaptogens and Hormone-Affected Skin
Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can create dryness, sensitivity, redness and decreased elasticity. Adaptogens help regulate inflammation, support collagen and improve hydration, making them particularly supportive for hormone-affected skin (Skin Inc., 2025).
How Stamina Supports Stressed Skin
Adaptogens are ingredients that help the skin adapt to stress and restore balance. In dermatology, this includes both traditional botanical adaptogens and modern biochemical adaptogens that normalize inflammation and support homeostasis. Stamina uses both. Botanical adaptogens such as Gotu Kola, Cordyceps, Curcumin, Guarana, Green Tea and Siberian Rhubarb are found in the Intention Moisturizer and help strengthen the barrier, reduce oxidative stress and support collagen and skin resilience.
Stamina’s Mist and Serum use hypochlorous acid, a dermal adaptogen that helps the skin recover from stress by reducing inflammatory signals, supporting immune balance, calming redness and helping prevent blemish activity. Together, these adaptogens help the skin maintain clarity, balance and flexibility during periods of internal or environmental stress.
While the Moisturizer, Mist and Serum deliver botanical and dermal adaptogens, the Stamina Mask supports stressed skin in a different but equally important way. It combines antioxidant-rich botanicals, brightening fruit extracts and barrier-supportive oils to address the visible effects of stress such as dullness, rough texture and uneven tone. Ingredients like green tea, CoQ10, hibiscus, tamanu oil, vitamin C and gentle AHAs help smooth, clarify and restore radiance, making the Mask an ideal weekly reset for skin that looks overworked or environmentally stressed.
Explore Stamina products used in stressed-skin protocols:
These botanicals work together to restore clarity, strengthen resilience and support overall skin wellness that’s why our Stamina Trio is often chosen as Holiday Gift Guide Skin Stress Relief skin care best, mention any recent press that featured trio and mentioned its stress relief
Daily Rituals That Calm Skin Stress
- Keep your routine simple during flare-ups
- Use adaptogen-rich mists and serums
- Strengthen the moisture barrier
- Use antioxidants daily Incorporate mindful breathing during application
- Stay consistent for long-term resilience
- Affirmations, like the ones on each Stamina bottle, strengthen mental self-perception and reduce stress by decreasing negative self-talk when used during your daily skincare ritual.
Conclusion
Adaptogens connect modern dermatology with ancient botanical wisdom. They help the skin recover from stress, improve resilience and support hormone-affected skin. They also engage the mind-skin connection through scent-mediated olfactory pathways.
If your skin feels overwhelmed, reactive or tired, adaptogens may be the missing link.
Resilient skin is healthy skin. And your skin can handle more with the right support.
References
Busse, D., Kudella, P., Grüning, N., Gisselmann, G., Ständer, S., Luger, T., Jacobsen, F., Steinsträßer, L., Paus, R., Gkogkolou, P., Böhm, M., & Hatt, H. (2014). A synthetic sandalwood odorant induces wound healing processes in human keratinocytes via the olfactory receptor OR2AT4. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(11), 2823–2832. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15365532
Clinikally. (2023). Adaptogens in skincare: Effects on stressed and sensitive skin. https://www.clinikally.com/blogs/news/adaptogens-in-skincare-unveiling-their-magical-effects
JCAD Online. (2023). Evaluating serum plant-based adaptogens. https://jcadonline.com/evaluating-serum-plant-based-adaptogens/
Blyumin-Karasik, M., Colon, J., Karasik, D., Nguyen, S., Woolery-Lloyd, H., & Lain, E. (2025). What Are Topical Adaptogens? A Systematic Review and Proposed System to Identify and Categorize Skin Adaptogens in Dermatology. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 18(9), 28–35. https://jcadonline.com/topical-adaptogens-systematic-review/ JCAD+1
Ruhr-University Bochum. (2014). Olfactory receptors discovered in the skin: Sandalwood scent increases wound healing. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140708092555.htm
Skin Inc. (2025). Adaptogens and the skin wellness connection: Rejuvenating skin from within and topically. https://www.skininc.com/science/ingredients/article/22951071/topical-skin-skin-wellness-revolution-adaptogen-power
Smith, J. (2014). Your skin can sniff certain aromas that help it heal faster. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/your-skin-can-sniff-certain-aromas-that-help-it-heal-faster-28872