Aromatherapy and Skincare
What the research shows - Scientists are now describing a skin–brain axis, similar to the gut–brain axis, where the skin and nervous system communicate through immune, hormonal, and neurological pathways. - New findings suggest the skin microbiome may influence psychological wellbeing. Higher levels of certain bacteria (such as Cutibacterium) were linked to lower stress and better mood, according to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology . - The skin can produce neuroactive chemicals like cortisol and substance P in response to microbes or inflammation, which then send signals back to the brain, influencing sensations such as itch, pain, comfort, or calmness . - This field overlaps with neurocosmetics, which explores how neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and sensory pathways affect skin health and ageing