What is Cortisol & Why It’s Messing With Your Glow

Alexandra
Aug 5, 2025
2 min read

The Stress-Skin-Hormone Connection No One Talks About

What is Cortisol & Why It’s Messing With Your Glow

We talk a lot about skincare. But sometimes, your breakouts, dullness, or skin sensitivity have nothing to do with products — and everything to do with cortisol.

Let’s break it down.

What is Cortisol?

Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone — released by your adrenal glands when your brain detects danger. It’s designed to keep you safe. But in today’s world? That “danger” might be:

Work deadlines
Scrolling at night
Not eating enough
Emotional stress
Overexercising
Poor sleep

Chronic stress = chronically high cortisol = chaos for your body.

Signs Your Cortisol is Too High

If you’re feeling wired but tired, breaking out despite “doing everything right,” or constantly reaching for sugar and coffee — cortisol might be at play.

Symptoms include:

Exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix
Anxiety or racing thoughts
Sugar/carb cravings
Hormonal acne or breakouts
PMS, missed periods or irregular cycles
Weight changes (especially around belly)
Feeling constantly overwhelmed

How Cortisol Affects Your Skin

Cortisol isn’t just a stress hormone — it’s a skin disruptor.

Here’s what it does:

Raises blood sugar, triggering oil production and breakouts
Weakens your skin barrier, making skin more reactive
Increases inflammation, leading to flare-ups (acne, eczema, etc.)
Delays healing, slowing down recovery from spots or sensitivity
Speeds up ageing, due to oxidative stress and collagen breakdown
Imbalances hormones, leading to skin and cycle issues

How to Lower Cortisol Naturally

You don’t need to overhaul your life. Tiny, consistent shifts can bring your body back to calm.

1. Start Your Day with Calm, Not Chaos

Swap phone-scrolling for:

3 minutes of deep breathing
A slow skincare ritual
Morning sunlight

2. Balance Your Blood Sugar

Eat within 60 minutes of waking
Add protein + fat to every meal
Reduce ultra-processed snacks

3. Prioritise Nervous System Support

Magnesium before bed
Red light therapy
Gua Sha or dry brushing
Gentle movement (walks, yoga, rebounding)

4. Sleep Better

No amount of supplements will work if you’re exhausted. Try:

No screens 1 hour before bed
Warm shower or bath
Calming drinks (see our calming night drink post)

Cortisol Isn’t the Enemy

It’s not about demonising cortisol — it’s about understanding it. Your body is just trying to keep you safe. When you create a safe space internally, your skin, cycle, and energy all begin to glow.