ASCP Esty Talk, Ep 342 – The Skin We Feel In – Emotional Skin (Grief and Anger)

Host: Alec Cressman & Maggie Stasik
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of ASCP Esty Talk dives deep into the intimate connection between emotions—specifically grief and anger—and their visible impact on the skin. Host Alec Cressman and co-host Maggie Stasik explore how emotional states can manifest physically, often mimicking classic skin conditions, and discuss why it’s critical for estheticians to recognize and address these emotional roots for holistic client care. The conversation blends clinical observations, scientific research, and practical in-treatment advice, emphasizing the importance of empathy, intuition, and personalized rituals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Undiscussed Role of Emotions in Aesthetics

• Emotional Health in Skincare: Alec reflects on how traditional esthetics education often overlooks the role of emotions in skin health.
  • “We didn't discuss it. But it's such an important part of what we do because emotions like grief...there's a huge influence on the skin.” (B, 02:54)

2. Three Frameworks for Understanding Emotional Skin Responses

• Psychodermatology:

  • The psychological state’s impact on skin health.
  • “This is the study of how psychological states like stress and anxiety, depression, how those impact the skin health and how the skin functions. Some may say you can think of it like a mood ring.” (B, 04:39)

• Neuroimmunology:

  • The nervous and immune systems’ communication affecting the skin—exemplified by stress-induced breakouts and rosacea.
  • “Chronic stress increases cortisol and that suppresses immunity...the door is open for skin conditions.” (B, 05:46)
  • The gut-brain-skin axis validates the importance of holistic practices.

• Energetic Skin Responses:

  • Subtle, immediate reactions like blushing or breakouts related to emotional frequencies.
  • “It’s kind of like a tuning fork. It's able to resonate with whatever emotional frequency you're carrying.” (B, 07:27)

3. Grief’s Impact on Clients’ Skin

• Manifestations:
  • Dullness, laxity, dehydration—often mistaken for aging or fatigue.
  • “What I saw in my clients is a manifestation of dullness, laxity, dehydration...the physiology of what's happening is there was a parasympathetic withdrawal.” (B, 09:04)
• Physiological Explanation:
  • Slowed cell activity and microcirculation; lymph stagnation.
• Treatment Adjustments:
  • Avoid overstimulation; favor lymphatic drainage, grounding touch, flower essences, and grief-informed aromatherapy.
  • Encourage ritual over routine for self-care (e.g., mindful application of moisturizer, hydration tracking).
  • “Encouraging something called a ritual versus a routine...it really helped not just with grief but with other emotions.” (B, 10:44)
• Self-Care at Home:
  • Focus on nourishment (ceramides) and gentle massage techniques.
  • “That is the definition of self-care. Giving back to the self and allowing for healing.” (C, 11:09)

4. Anger and Skin: The "Fire Within"

• Case Study Trigger:
  • Inspired by a study linking pimples and anger, Alec began tracking client experiences.
• Symptoms:
  • Heat, redness, eruptions (especially jawline and temples), congestion.
  • Risk of misdiagnosis as acne, hormonal breakouts, or rosacea.
• Deeper Roots:
  • “It's this unexpected rest frustration that is literally showing up on the skin.” (B, 12:41)
  • Chinese medicine links: Sympathetic dominance, liver overload (liver as the “angry organ”).
  • “If there was a pimple between the eyebrows...I'm like, they're pissed.” (B, 13:32)
• In-Treatment Strategies:
  • Avoid heat-based treatments, harsh exfoliation, and invalidating language.
  • Use cooling masks, herbal compresses (e.g., chamomile), rhythmic techniques.
  • “...Using cooling masks, using even like herbal compresses, some that have chamomile, and then rhythmic techniques to help release the heat.” (B, 14:36)
• Home Rituals:
  • Botanical spot treatments, adaptogens, journaling (even with a pen that doesn’t work), and movement.
  • “One of my favorite instructions for my clients is to journal with a pen that doesn't work. So at least they're getting the emotion out.” (B, 15:21)

5. Emotional Nuance: Even Joy Can Disrupt Skin

• Hyperactivity:
  • “That like, hyperactivity also happens in the skin where there's a hyper proliferation of sebum or oil, and that can result in pimples too.” (B, 17:11)
  • Care for clients exhibiting emotional “highs” by monitoring for excess oil and adjusting pacing.

6. Communication, Boundaries & Self-Protection

• Intuitive & Sensitive Client Care:
  • Clinical discernment is necessary to recognize emotional overlays in skin conditions.
  • Offer open-ended questions: “What is your skin processing right now?” (B, 17:53)
• Energetic Boundaries:
  • “You can have empathy, but you can't take it on...Your job is to encourage long term support...hopefully they can rebuild this emotional safety in the skin.” (B, 18:17)
• Reframing Retail:
  • Encourage clients to see aftercare as nourishment, not just compliance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The skin is both a barrier and a communicator...it tells the story.” — Alec Cressman (B, 07:54)
• “I love what you're saying about a ritual, not a routine, because I think that is the definition of self care.” — Maggie Stasik (C, 11:09)
• “With Joy, you have to be aware...There can be an emotional reason...you want to maybe slow things down.” — Alec Cressman (B, 17:17)
• On emotional boundaries:
  • “You can't take on their grief. You can have empathy, but you can't take it on.” — Alec Cressman (B, 18:15)
  • “Whether you are...diving into the emotional stability of your clients or not, being able to keep that boundary...is very important.” — Maggie Stasik (C, 19:04)
• On emotional skin mimicry:
  • “You can't just ask them, are you pissed today?...recognize emotional patterns.” — Alec Cressman (B, 17:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:54] – Emotional health overlooked in traditional esthetics education
• [04:34] – Introduction to psychodermatology, neuroimmunology, and energetic skin responses
• [09:04] – Grief's physiological impact on skin
• [11:09] – From routines to rituals in self-care for grief
• [12:41] – Observing anger’s "fire" on the skin
• [13:32] – Chinese medicine and “pissed off” skin between the eyebrows
• [14:36] – Cooling and calming treatments for anger
• [15:21] – Journaling as emotional release
• [17:11] – Joy’s hyperactivity affecting the skin
• [17:49] – Language & questions for emotional awareness in treatment
• [18:15] – Protecting your energy as the practitioner

Conclusion

This episode illuminates the critical link between emotions and skin health, urging estheticians to view the skin as a living record of a client’s internal world—not just a canvas for products and treatments. Alec and Maggie blend science, empathy, and practical wisdom to promote holistic, individualized care, while cautioning practitioners to safeguard their own well-being. The actionable guidance on client communication, treatment adjustments, and self-care rituals provides a rich resource for anyone seeking to integrate emotional awareness into their skincare practice.