New Research Shows That Even Day-To-Day Stress Makes You Look Older

At the end of a long, stressful day, I can't help but lament at how tired I look. "I look old," I woefully say to myself in the mirror while layering on my retinol serum, lifting eye cream, and thick-as-butter night cream. 

Given the skin-mind connection is a topic area I cover thoroughly, I know that stress affects the appearance of the skin, face, and body with time. Robust research has shown us that chronic stress1 has been linked to increased inflammation, collagen breakdown, barrier disruption, and increased signs of aging, such as fine lines and dark spots. 

What is so fascinating about this particular study is that it's not about how chronic, lifelong stress affects the skin, face, or body throughout time (which we know it does) but rather about how daily stress influences someone's appearance in the moment. What's more, this was true for young adults as well. 

For the study, the researchers collected data from young adults aged 18 to 36 (the median age was 20). The participants completed a survey for eight consecutive days. This survey measured their stress levels, feelings of control, and how old they felt and looked. 

They found that when individuals were under increased stress, they also noted that they looked and felt older than their age. 

"[These findings are] important because we know that experiencing chronic stress over time can have adverse effects and that people generally report increasing levels of stress as they move from young adulthood to midlife—their 40s and 50s," said corresponding author Shevaun Neupert, Ph.D., professor of psychology at North Carolina State University, in a statement to Science Daily. "If these young people are already experiencing historically high levels of stress for their age, and that stress is affecting how old they feel, it will be important for us to pay close attention to the markers we use to assess stress-related physical and mental health for this generation."

It's worth pointing out that the stress levels and control beliefs were relative to the individual. For example, if one individual's baseline stress levels were low, they still experienced "increased stress" and saw the effects of that stress if they reported having a more stressful day than normal. Essentially, the participants didn't need to reach a standardized "stress level threshold" to experience the effects of stress—as long as the feelings of stress were elevated to them. 

The researchers also found that feelings of control helped mitigate the aging effects of daily stressors "to the point of being nonsignificant." 

Essentially when participants experienced feelings of increased stress but also higher levels of control, they didn't express feeling or looking older. Rather, the survey responses about their experience remained fairly neutral. 

Outside of cultivating habits that help you feel in control of your emotions and stress, there's quite a bit you can do to support your skin as you age. In fact, research shows that sticking with a consistent skin care routine2 can improve feelings of confidence, empowerment, and overall quality of life. So even caring for your skin in the first place is one way to potentially feel more in control.