We Ask the Pros: What Are the Best Skin Care Products for Stressed-Out Skin?

"One of the major stress signals, cortisol, messages to the skin to increase oil production, often leading to acne. A great ingredient that can combat these acne-inducing messages is adapalene. Adapalene is a third-generation retinoid that can decrease oil production and regulate skin cells to prevent acne pimples," says Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD at Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology and Schweiger Dermatology Group.

"Stress causes inflammation and if you have underlying skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, that inflammation can cause a flare-up,” explains Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical in New York. “I always tell my patients to go back to the basics when this happens. Reduce any aggressors and use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain any strong fragrances or surfactants."

Buy it ($19)

"Anxiety can also trigger neuropeptides, which leave your skin red and itchy, and cause T-cells to overreact, which can cause flakiness or scaling of the skin," says Kim. "I swear by this antioxidant serum for everything. It has a blend of soothing botanical ingredients, zinc sulfate and kojic acid to really clear and calm skin." (Ed note: It's a favorite among many derms as well. Luckily, we can get it over-the-counter through Dermstore's newly rebranded site.)