Credit: Ora Organic

Nothing’s worse for the skin than existential dread.

Are you feeling stressed right now? I guess the better question would be “do you have a pulse?” Because if you do, then you’re probably stressed right now, and as anyone with even a passing knowledge of dermatology will tell you, stress can really mess up your skin quality. It’s for this reason that adaptogens exist. “Adaptogen” is the scientific term for any natural substance that improves your body’s resistance to physical, chemical, or biological stress. With so much stress in the world right now, several beauty brands have been researching ways of getting adaptogens to customers.

According to Jenni Middleton, the director of beauty at trend forecasting firm WGSN, the coronavirus pandemic has spurred a notable increase in interest in beauty products that defend skin from stress and offer anti-viral benefits.

“As a result of the pandemic, beauty has found a new role beyond the aesthetic – and is finding a purpose as a protector, healer and soother. The products that we are searching for in our bathroom cabinets are doing more than making us look good, they are keeping us safe as we emerge out of lockdown stages around the world and keep us healthy and well,” Middleton told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.

Credit: Stocksy/Marta Munoz Calero Calderon

Adaptogens were already a blooming trend at the beginning of the year (bit of an omen, in hindsight), but with the consumers standing against animal-based products and experiencing more stress, now is the ideal time for all-natural stress remedies. Ginseng, holy basil, rhodiolia, and other ancient skin remedies are now in high demand, with some smaller brands even going as far as building entire new product lines around adaptogens. If you’re suffering from high stress, you may have quite a variety of possible solutions very soon. For your skin, I mean. You’ll probably still be stressed.