It’s simple: modern life is stressful and that may explain why more of us than ever are turning to yoga, meditation and exercise to counteract the strains of 21st century living.

But Hatha and Headspace aren’t the only stress-busting tools worth having in your anti-anxiety armoury: skincare is too.

CALMING BALM

A raft of beauty products and treatments are now putting wellbeing centre stage, by using everything from aromatherapy to Ayurvedic medicine to create a sense of calm, while improving the look of skin at the same time.

Awake Organics, for example, infuses all its products with essential oils like lavender (a herb some studies have shown to have anti-anxiety effects on a par with some prescription benzodiazepines) and rose geranium which, AwakeOrganics says, ‘act as a warm blanket for the soul, helping reduce sensitivities to stress and anxiety’.

The aim is to turn the very act of applying a face product into a stress-buster.

For max effect, rub your face cream between your palms, cupping them over your nose and inhaling the therapeutic oils first before applying over your skin. This is something worth doing slowly and mindfully for maximum benefit.

Aveda’s range of Balancing Body Mists, meanwhile, hydrate skin and align with the chakras (if you believe in that kind of thing), while Urban Veda’s dosha-based skincare range takes its inspiration from Ayurveda. Their sandalwood-infused Soothing Body Scrub, is an instant calmer.

SAVE MORE THAN YOUR SKIN   

There are a few treatments, too, worth checking out. The Light Salon’s Express LED skin rejuvenation, available at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, is a non-invasive facial that uses light energy to boost collagen and improve the appearance of skin but which also lowers stress hormones.

The idea that stress has a direct impact on your skin is no myth. Cortisol, the hormone produced when we’re anxious, causes inflammation which has an adverse effect on collagen, the protein that helps keep skin firm and healthy-looking.

So next time you’re re-stocking your bathroom cabinet, don’t just go for products that save your skin – opt for ones that can save your sanity, too.

DE-STRESS WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST

1. Soothing Body Scrub, £12.99 for 200ml, Urban Veda 

2. Frankin-Sense Divine Face Care Cream, £32.99 for 30ml, Awake Organics 

3. The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil Pitta, £19.50 for 100ml, Rituals 

4. Samaya Vata Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil, £79 for 30ml, Samaya

5. Chakra™ 7 Balancing Body Mist, £30 for 100ml, Aveda

6. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Mind Bath & Shower Oil, £45 for 55ml, Feel Unique

7. Jade Face Restorer, £35, Hayo’u

Read more: The importance on sleep for skin