The Mind-Skin Connection

There is no denying that the world of beauty has been taking more and more turns in the right direction. For example, the body neutrality movement (the healthier alternative to the body positivity philosophy) provided a necessary shift in our mindset towards appreciating our bodies for what they can do rather than merely how they look.

Even on social media—where prevailing beauty standards have always been impossible to live up to—we seem to have entered a new era, with one of the most recent trends on TikTok being influencers de-influencing, i.e. encouraging their audiences to buy fewer beauty products. And we can all agree that this minimalist approach is pretty new in the social media sphere of excess and maximalism.

Of course, a friendly recommendation from a trusted friend is always welcome. Still, we are all different and beautiful in our own unique ways. One-size-fits-all solutions are quite rare, especially when we take a holistic approach to our well-being, so when a question arises (beauty-related or otherwise), each of us has to search for our own answers. But maybe they’re hiding in plain sight?

Getting under your skin

Whether it be mental, emotional, or spiritual lifeblood—the body is a vessel for the human essence. As such, your physique allows for the complex and sensitive matter within you to be animated, it provides a home for your thoughts and emotions, and serves as the executive of your actions. That’s a very responsible task, especially for the skin, the largest organ in your body and the first point of contact between you and the outside world.

We are so much more than our looks, yet sometimes what does meet the eye and appears on the surface can potentially signal positive or negative processes happening underneath our physical layers. The skin is a brilliant messenger and whether it communicates through redness, dehydration, or eczema—when it speaks, we ought to listen.

Have you ever blushed when someone complimented you? Then here’s your proof that what we think or feel can manifest on our veneer. When it comes to skin, the undeniable mind-body connection has dermatologists working closely with psychologists to help their patients understand the root cause of their surface issues. The field of psychodermatology has been developing rapidly because, as cliche as that sounds, beauty really does come from within.

When there’s something wrong internally, it might literally be written all over your face, which makes you the best beauty guru for your specific needs. Never ignore the tell-tale signs of stress and anxiety, dehydration, or any other kind of pain you might be in. For instance, think about wrinkles. While they are a natural result of the process of aging, they might sometimes appear because your skin lacks nutrients. Or because you knit your eyebrows too often (if you know what I mean).

To understand skin a bit more, let’s look at its three main layers:

Epidermis — the top coat that is constantly replacing your dead skin cells with healthy ones that grow in the lower layers of your skin. It allows you to literally shed what is no longer serving you to make room for newness. It’s rebirth at its finest.

Dermis — the thicker middle support system for the visible structure of the skin. It allows you to feel different sensations, assists in thermoregulation, and protects your body from harm. It’s your armor against all sorts of negative external factors.

Subcutis — the layer of fat beneath the dermis that attaches the skin to the muscles and tissue below. Subcutis provides insulation for the body and keeps you warm. It serves as a cushion for your vital organs and protects you from potential shocks to your system.

Metaphorically speaking, we, too, are composed of layers. To peel them back and peek into what’s going on beneath the surface, we need to address our concerns holistically. Our skin cooperates with our nervous system so anything could be a chain reaction in this relationship. Various kinds of psychological trauma manifest as skin conditions and while seeing a dermatologist is always a good idea, there might be more to the story than an ointment or a cream can handle.

That’s not to say that a zit on your chin is an immediate cause for concern. But if you carefully listen to your body, it will sooner or later provide you with clues so you may actually solve the riddle on your own. Whenever you have a health problem, put together an evidence board, a mind map, and try to come up with a few potential psychological reasons for your physical distress.

Well-being is a balancing act. Untie those knots you locate first. Take your time to meditate, journal, or talk through everything with a friend. Are you in need of self-love? Maybe lately you’ve been neglecting yourself a bit? Then we prescribe an afternoon of intentional solitude. Or, perhaps the opposite is true and you’re lonely, isolated? Do you crave adventure? Well then, put on some comfy shoes, and off you go. Reconnect with the world to reconnect with yourself.

TLC for the soul

We either celebrate or hide our scars, we beautify them with jewelry or cover them with tattoos. Still, they remain. No make-up, gua sha, or light therapy can enhance your appearance if it’s pain in your soul that you carry. Cleanse your skin with good vibes, moisturize it with kindness, and protect it with a positive mindset. We should take care of our bodies not because we want to change them, but because we love them. After all, we only get one—one life and one body to carry us through it.