You ever notice how your skin acts up at the worst possible time?

Not after a greasy meal or a night out—but right in the middle of a stressful week. One minute you’re dealing with a flood of emails and missed calls, and the next, your face is flaring up for no clear reason.

At first, I thought it was just me. But turns out, there’s a deeper connection between stress and your skin—and it’s got a lot to do with a little hormone called cortisol.

Breakouts. Dry patches. Sudden redness.

Sound familiar?

It’s not a coincidence. One sneaky hormone might be behind it all: Cortisol—your body’s primary stress hormone.

So… what exactly is cortisol?

Cortisol isn’t the enemy. In fact, it’s incredibly useful.

Cortisol is basically your body’s built-in alarm system. When you’re stressed—like really stressed—your adrenal glands release it to help you stay alert and keep going.

It’s useful in small bursts (like when you’re late and sprinting for a meeting), but when stress sticks around too long, cortisol starts messing with things it shouldn’t… including your skin

The problem?

Your body doesn’t know the difference between running from a lion and stressing over unread emails.

When cortisol sticks around longer than it should (which happens when you’re constantly stressed), it starts to mess with your skin in ways you probably never expected.

Here’s how cortisol can mess with your skin

1.Breakouts That Come Out of Nowhere

Ever notice how you break out more when you’re stressed?

Cortisol boosts oil production. More oil = clogged pores = pimples. Add in the temptation to pick or touch your face when anxious, and it’s a recipe for skin drama.

2. It Dries You Out

Chronic stress can weaken your skin barrier—meaning your skin loses moisture faster.

You may notice flakiness, tightness, or just that “dull” look that no amount of moisturizer seems to fix.

3. Slower Healing

Have a cut or breakout that just won’t heal?

Yep—blame stress. High cortisol can slow down your skin’s natural repair process. So that scar or pimple sticks around longer than it should.

4. Inflammation Central

Cortisol can throw your immune system off balance, triggering more inflammation.

This makes conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea worse during stressful times.

Okay… but what can you actually do about it?

Here’s the good news: once you’re aware of the stress-skin connection, you can do something about it. Not overnight, but it’s absolutely doable.

Start with your mind

No, you don’t need to become a monk. But small things make a big difference.

Try:

• 5 minutes of deep breathing before bed
• A walk without your phone
• Journaling or brain-dumping your worries
• Saying “no” more often (boundaries = peace)

Simplify your skincare

When cortisol is high, your skin’s more reactive.

So don’t overload it. Stick to gentle cleansers, fragrance-free moisturizers, and sunscreen. Avoid scrubs, alcohol-based toners, or anything “harsh.”

• Watch your lifestyle habits
• Stay hydrated
• Sleep like it’s your job
• Eat real food (yes, greens—but also carbs and joy)
• Move your body—dancing counts, too

Conclusion

Your skin listens to everything your body is feeling. And cortisol? It’s just the messenger.

So instead of only fighting your skin with products, try listening to what it’s telling you.

Sometimes, the best skincare isn’t in a bottle—it’s in how you treat yourself.

Be kind. Slow down.

And let your skin breathe.

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Dubai doesn’t play when it comes to food trends. One TikTok and suddenly everyone’s lining up. But let’s be real — do they actually taste as good as they look?

If you’re here and you are wondering what’s worth trying, here are five viral foods you’ll definitely want to put on your list.

1. Tiramisu

Tiramisu is no stranger to menus around the world, but here in Dubai, some spots have taken it up a notch. This one? It’s next-level soft. Light, creamy, and just the right touch of coffee — not too strong, not too sweet. One spoon and it’s gone — smooth, creamy, and just melts before you even finish chewing. It’s not trying too hard, it’s just really good. Whether they serve it in a jar or plate it right in front of you, it’s the kind of dessert that stays in your head long after you’ve finished it.

Tiramisu

2. Frukti Mango Ice Cream

This one has been everywhere on Instagram lately—and for good reason. It’s literally half a real mango, scooped out and packed with thick, creamy mango ice cream. No plastic cups, no gimmicks — just cold, fruity goodness. It’s fresh, not overly sweet, and honestly, exactly what you want when the Dubai sun is doing too much.

3. Matilda Cake

Inspired by that iconic movie scene, the Matilda cake is no joke. It’s thick, decadent, and layered with rich chocolate that means business. You don’t eat this cake politely—you dive in. it’s the kind of dessert you remember days later. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is your sign.

Matilda Cake

4. Woodfire Burger

You take a bite and literally stop chewing for a second — like, wait, why does this taste so good? The patty’s juicy, the cheese actually melts, the bun’s toasted just right… and that hit of smokiness from the grill? That’s the magic. You think you’ve had burgers before, but this one? Different.

Woodfire Burger

5. Kunafa with Chocolate

Kunafa is already loved across the Middle East. But the chocolate version that’s been trending? It’s a bold twist—and surprisingly, it doesn’t ruin the original. Instead, it adds richness without taking away the traditional crunch and creaminess. If you’ve never tried it, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you go: “Why haven’t I had this before?”

Kunafa with Chocolate

Conclusion

Whether you’re new in town or just want to try something exciting this weekend, these viral dishes are a great place to start. Our food culture is loud, bold, and always evolving—but once in a while, a trend becomes a classic. And a few of these might just be that.

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Be honest, when was the last time you thought about your liver? We usually talk about skincare, workouts, and our diet. But the liver? It’s always gets left out of the conversation.

And yet, it is working round-the-clock: cleaning out toxins, helping with digestion, and even balancing your hormones.

So today, we are going to show our liver some love, the easy way. Just by sipping the right teas.

In this article, we’d be discussing 5 herbal teas that people have used for ages, and they still work like magic.

Milk Thistle Tea

Milk Thistle Tea

Let’s start with the legend when it comes to liver health. This one is a big deal and has been used for the past 2,000 years. Milk thistle is packed with silymarin which helps clean out the liver and even repairs it.

If you’ve been taking meds, drinking, or feeling bloated and tired, try this tea. It’s the detox you need!

How to use: Add a teaspoon of crushed milk thistle seeds in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink once or twice a day.

Taste tip: It has a nutty taste so you might want to add honey or mint.

Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion Root Tea

This is not just a backyard weed! This tea is really good when it comes to flushing out your liver. It helps your body break down fat and keeps your digestion smooth.

If you tend to feel heavy or puffy after meals, Dandelion root is your go-to!

How to use: Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried root in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Strain and sip while warm.

Taste tip: It’s earthy and a little bitter so you might want to add lemon or cinnamon depending on your taste.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric isn’t just for cooking. It plays an incredible role in your liver health. It helps reduce inflammation and keeps your liver running smoothly. If you’re always feeling bloated or tired, then you shouldn’t sleep on this one!

How to use: Boil a cup of water with ½ teaspoon turmeric, a pinch of black pepper (so your body can absorb the tea), and you can sprinkle in cinnamon or ginger if you want. Cook low and slow for 10 minutes and add some honey to taste.

Taste tip: Warm, spicy, cozy.

 Licorice Root Tea

Licorice Root Tea

If you feel down or crave sugar a lot, then you should try licorice tea. It helps clean up your liver and it supports your adrenals (the part of you that helps with energy and stress.)

How to use: Simmer 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root in hot water for 5–10 mins. Sip slowly.

Taste tip: It’s sweet on its own. So you might not need to add sugar.

Side note: If you have high blood pressure, you might want to check in with your doctor before making this a regular habit or part of your routine.

Schisandra Berry Tea

Schisandra Berry Tea

This one might not be so popular, but it is one of those herbal teas that should be hyped a lot. These little berries are great for the liver but they also help with your energy levels, skin health, and brain fog.

How to use: Slowly cook 1 tablespoon of dried berries in 2 cups of water for 15–20 minutes. Strain and sip.

Taste tip: It is a burst of different flavours: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter all in one! But it is extremely beneficial for your liver health.

Conclusion

Your liver is doing a lot of work. And thankfully, you don’t need a fancy detox or expensive juice to take care of it. Just add one of these teas into your week, one cup a day and your body will feel the difference.

Clearer skin? Better digestion? Less bloating? Yes, these are signs that your liver is healthy.

Try a few of them, find your preferred one, and keep sipping. Your body (and future self) will be so glad you did!

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