From the brain to the epidermis
But why can our emotions affect the condition of our skin? “Because an emotion isn’t just a simple feeling; it triggers physiological effects in the body. This is easy to understand by taking the example of negative emotions: if you experience significant stress at work for months, or even years, you eventually develop a health problem. It’s not the job itself that exposes you to toxic agents, but rather the negative emotions generated, which, over time, become toxic through their biological effects,” explains Arnaud Aubert, PhD in psychology and neuroscience, scientific director of the company EmoSpin. We know, thanks in particular to the work of Professor Laurent Misery, head of the dermatology department at the Brest University Hospital and director of the Brest neuroscience laboratory, author of “Your Skin Has Things to Tell You” (Larousse), that skin problems can be aggravated by stress. Neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, cortisol, and the pro-inflammatory substance P are released into the skin and, depending on the initial condition, have varying effects. Dry skin will become drier, oily skin oilier, sensitive skin more sensitive, and eczema or hair loss will be exacerbated.
Emotions, beautiful skin wild cards
When we are happy, joyful, and optimistic, everything in the body follows a virtuous cycle. "First, we breathe better, which allows for better tissue oxygenation and improved blood circulation. Cells therefore produce more energy, and the skin is more radiant. As 'positive' neurotransmitters are released—serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine—the level of cortisol, which is pro-inflammatory and slows down regeneration, decreases," explains Marielle Alix, coach and hypnotherapist (@mariellealix). Immersing ourselves in positive emotions also guarantees we are less tense, resulting in relaxed facial features and helping to ward off the tension that leaves its mark. "With stress, the corners of the mouth droop, for example, and tension lines appear, whereas when we smile a lot, we may have lines around our eyes, but these are wrinkles that move upwards, not marks that sadden the face," continues Marielle Alix. She recommends, as part of your daily routine, applying a product whose texture and fragrance delight you, taking the time to breathe deeply, smile at yourself in the mirror, and massage it in with firm strokes that engage the muscles. This is a great way to optimize the penetration of active ingredients and achieve greater effectiveness than if you simply rub your cream in for a few seconds while dwelling on all the day's problems. "By prioritizing well-being and cultivating positivity, you also improve the quality of your sleep, which promotes skin regeneration and relaxes your features," adds the specialist. In short: let yourself be enveloped by the joyful sensory experience of creams… Are you ready to discover our daily tips, which are all little pleasures you can easily enjoy? You'll find them on the following pages…
An emotion is not simply a feeling; it triggers physiological effects in the body. Arnaud Aubert, PhD in Psychology
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