How Regulating My Nervous System Improved My Skin Naturally

Being in a toxic five-year relationship that kept my body in a constant state of defense. High cortisol, nonstop stress, and a nervous system stuck in fight or flight — showed up in ways I didn’t expect. Including my skin: it felt off, unbalanced, reactive. Like it had been holding its breath right along with me.

After getting out of that relationship, I moved somewhere peaceful — a place where I can see the forest from my kitchen window and the hummingbirds show up every morning. It’s calm here. And for the first time in a long time, so am I.

I realized that learning to self-regulate was non-negotiable — and I’ve been building that into my life in really intentional ways. One of those ways has been turning my skincare routine into something more than just a task. It’s a way to reset. A moment to ground. A way to show up for myself.

The Link Between Stress and Skin Health: How the Nervous System Affects Your Skin

When the nervous system is stuck in a prolonged stress response — commonly known as fight-or-flight — it can directly impact skin health. Elevated cortisol levels have been shown to impair the skin’s barrier function, increase transepidermal water loss, delay wound healing, and contribute to inflammation. This can lead to changes in texture, hydration, and overall resilience.

Regulation matters. Even small, consistent practices that signal safety to the body can help shift the nervous system toward a more parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state — which supports both internal balance and visible skin improvements. Over time, the skin becomes less reactive, more hydrated, and better able to function the way it’s designed to.

What Nervous System Healing Has Looked Like for Me

It hasn’t been a straight line, but I’ve started to figure out what actually helps me feel grounded — not overwhelmed. And the more I build those things into my day, the more regulated my body feels… and the better my skin responds.

Lately, that looks like:

• Doing breathwork or meditation when I feel overstimulated

• Letting myself sit in the sun, put my feet on the earth, and actually slow down

• Sleeping more, resting without guilt, and giving my body time to come out of fight-or-flight

• Watching the hummingbirds outside my window and letting that be enough

• Coloring or doing diamond painting at night to calm my brain

• Playing music and taking my time with my skincare instead of rushing through it

• Letting the scent of lavender or frankincense tell my nervous system it’s okay to relax

• Recharging my amethyst Gua Sha under the moonlight and using it with a fresh intention the next night

  

These aren’t major, life-altering habits. But doing them consistently has started to change the way I feel in my body — and my skin has followed. It’s calmer, less reactive, and more supported from the inside out.

My Natural Skincare Routine for Nervous System Regulation

I’ve started ending my days with a few intentional rituals — simple things that help me regulate and reset.

1. Sweet Citrus Cleansing Oil from Lineage Natural Cosmetics

I start with a few pumps in my hands, rub them together, and inhale the scent. I massage it into my face gently in soft circles, melting away the day.

2. Ember Tallow Whip by Lineage Natural Cosmetics

This has become a staple for me. I use a small amount, warmed between my fingers, and press it into my skin — cheeks, forehead, jaw. The scent is grounding and earthy, and the tallow gives my skin exactly what it needs to feel nourished and protected.

3. Amethyst Gua Sha

I keep my Gua Sha on my nightstand. Every so often, I set it outside under the moonlight to reset the energy it holds (check out my blog on my gua sha moonlit reset)— especially if I’ve been moving through something heavy. When used with long, intentional strokes along the jawline, cheekbones, and neck, the Gua Sha can help release tension held in the facial muscles — especially after a stressful day. Pro tip: sometimes I use it to rub the back of my neck up into the base of my skull to release tension in my neck.

Why Skin Health Starts with Nervous System Support

These moments — the cleansing, the pressing, the gentle strokes of the Gua Sha — they’ve become anchors for me. Rituals that remind my body what calm feels like.

And I’ve realized that good skin isn’t just about what’s in the jar.

It’s about what’s happening in your nervous system, your environment, your breath. It’s about what you let go of — and what you decide to keep.

Nervous System Regulation and Skin Support: The Takeaway

Since shifting my focus toward nervous system regulation — with things like breathwork, resting when I need it, spending time in nature, and creating small rituals that feel grounding — I’ve noticed a real change in my skin. It feels more balanced, more stable, and like it’s finally not just reacting to everything all the time.

I didn’t necessarily set out to improve my skin. I was just trying to find ways to regulate, to feel steady again. But looking back, it makes perfect sense — because the more I’ve supported my nervous system, the more my skin has settled too. It’s all connected. And when things on the inside start to calm, it shows on the outside.

Love,

Lia