The Secret Effects Of Stress On Your Skin (And How To Heal Them With Reiki)

When people ask me what I do, I call myself an alternative facialist. For me, facials aren’t just about products or surface-level results – they are about balance: the idea that all aspects of our bodies, minds, and lives can be brought into harmonious alignment. So, I combine holistic therapies like Reiki with advanced skincare and technologies to support not only the skin but the whole person.

Really, I believe our skin tells a story. Daily stress, lack of sleep, and modern living can all raise cortisol levels, the body’s main stress hormone. When cortisol stays high, it doesn’t just affect our mood – it shows up on the skin, causing inflammation, breakouts, rosacea, and barrier damage. And what can help calm it? Breathwork, taking time out from our busy lives, an understanding of what actually causes us stress, and Reiki – a practice I bring into all of my treatments.

For those wondering what Reiki healing is: Reiki is a gentle energy therapy that helps calm the nervous system, restore balance and ease stress. When the body is deeply relaxed, the skin responds differently – it softens, heals and absorbs treatments more effectively. Many clients say they leave my space not only glowing but also feeling lighter and calmer inside.

Reiki is a Japanese healing practice that works with the flow of universal life energy, often described as ki or chi. A practitioner channels this energy through their hands, placing them lightly on or just above the body, allowing it to move where it is most needed. The process is gentle, non-invasive and often brings a sense of deep relaxation and balance to the mind and body.

Learning Reiki doesn’t take years, many people begin practising after their first level of training, though mastery grows with experience. It’s not limited to a select few; anyone can learn Reiki, and self-treatment is an important part of the practice. By placing their own hands on key points of the body, practitioners can use Reiki to support their own wellbeing as well as others.

Alongside Reiki – because what we put on our skin is also important – I work with carefully chosen skincare ranges that align with my holistic ethos. Take Last Skincare, for instance: a neuro-cosmetic brand designed to lower cortisol in the skin. Their Skin Repair Serum is clinically proven to reduce skin cortisol by up to 60% while boosting beta-endorphins, the “feel-good” molecules. This goes beyond the surface, addressing stress at its source in the skin.

Then there’s Epicutis Skincare, a brand created to calm inflammation, rebuild the lipid barrier, and support sensitive or reactive skin. It’s particularly effective for rosacea and acne, helping to reduce redness while strengthening the skin’s resilience. These products fit seamlessly with my belief that what we put on our skin should nurture, not overwhelm.

And, contrary to what you may be thinking, technology also holds a strong place in all of my practices – although I’m only interested in tech that works hand in hand with the Reiki, skincare, and supplements I rely on.

Right now, the CoolJet Plasma Pen is one of my favourites for reducing inflammation, stimulating regeneration, and calming irritation. It is especially effective for acne and rosacea, where inflammation is at the root of the problem.

QMR (Quantum Molecular Resonance) Technology – also known as Rexonage 3 – is something I am currently exploring. I don’t yet offer it in my practice (watch this space), but I do recommend it to clients who may benefit. Unlike lasers or radiofrequency devices that use heat to force tissue repair, QMR works at the basal layer of the dermis, where adult stem cells are found. By stimulating them to regenerate collagen and elastin, QMR supports true cellular rejuvenation. What excites me about this method is that it doesn’t rely on hyperthermia – it encourages natural regeneration in a gentle, biological way. I see it as the future of skin health.

This trifecta of Reiki, skincare, and technology means no two treatments I offer are ever the same. Some clients need Reiki for deep relaxation; others benefit from targeted serums or advanced devices like CoolJet Plasma. Most often, it’s a blend of energy work, skincare, and technology layered together into a ritual tailored to that person, on that day.

Because, for me, being an alternative facialist is about redefining beauty. It isn’t about quick fixes or perfection – it’s about resilience. When stress is balanced and the nervous system is calm, the skin naturally follows. That healthy glow people are always searching for? It comes just as much from inner calm as from serums or machines.

Book an alternative facial with Justine here.