Social media and advertising have gradually made us see skin as an aesthetic feature rather than a functioning organ.
The emotional health & skin connection.
When you’re stressed, your body will release a hormone calledcortisol.
However, when sebum production is cranked up too far, that islinked to acne2.
What’s more, stress has been shown toslow wound healing3, too.
All of this to say, your skin can certainly be impacted by emotional stress.
Why we cry: Emotional benefits of crying.
While social stigmas may have you think of crying as a sign of weakness, the opposite is true.
Luckily, once these emotions are at the surface, they can be dealt with then and there.
Hence, why you might feel both relieved and sleepy post-cry.
“Crying can help one’s mood by improving sleep, reducing inflammation, and strengthening theimmune system.”
Crying is actually good for your mental and physical health, so consider science on your side.
What tears are made of & how they impact skin.
But what are tears, actually?
PSA: There’s more than one kind of tear.
Pretty cool, right?
So, how do emotional tears actually affect your skin?
Part of the answer is hidden in the pH difference.
See, tears have a pH level similar to saline, which is right around 7.
Read: A good cry session won’t be detrimental to your skin’s pH in a few minutes.
This may result indehydrationof the skin’s superficial layers, she adds.
To come, a few expert-backed methods to do just that.
Why eyes get puffy after crying & what that means for your skin.
As stated above, the electrolytes in tears can dehydrate the skin.
“This also increases swelling and inflammation,” Westbay explains.
So, is crying good for your skin?
Well, there are a few things to consider.
So, now you know how tears affect your skinbut what can you do to ease the impact?
After you finish crying, though, you may be left with an odd feeling.
Luckily, self-care and skin care can go hand in hand.
Here’s what Westbay recommends for post-cry session skin care:
Use a cold compress.
“This cold helps construct the vessels and tissue to help reduce redness and swelling,” Westbay says.
Be sure to keep the compress over your eyes if that area looks puffier as well.
Or, as an alternative to a towel, you’re free to useice globesor achilled facial roller.
Slather on a hydrating moisturizer or mask.
Because your skin is likely dehydrated, you should skip any exfoliating for the time being.
Remember: Self-soothing and skin-soothing go hand-in-hand.
Westbay recommends looking forhumectantslike hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and glycerin.
Give your skin a lymphatic massage.
Do this by first applying aface oilor rich moisturizer and massaging your skin from the inside out.
Listen to what your body needs.
FAQ
Do tears make your skin clear?
Emotional tears contain electrolytes that can dry out the skin momentarily.
Why does your skin glow after crying?
This one might just be a mystery.
Does crying cause pimples?
No, crying does not directly cause acne.
When you cry, emotional tears include electrolytes that can momentarily dry out the skin.
However, if you apply a moisturizer or hydrating mask post-cry session, this process won’t take place.
The takeaway.
In fact, crying can actually make you feel less stressed both physically and mentally.
If you’re concerned about puffy eyes, apply a cool compress to ease the swell.
