We all know that working life can be challenging, whether it’s the long hours, the deadlines, the commute or the state of the staff kitchen. And while It’s well known that stress can impact our mental health, what we don’t tend to consider so much is that what you do for a living can also impact the state of your skin.
It’s not just stress levels: environmental factors – from the air-conditioning to the artificial light, the less-than-nutritious working lunches (hello, 4pm chocolate cravings) and all those endless hours staring at a computer screen - they can all affect your skin’s health, too.
So to find out whether your skin could be having a “career crisis,” here’s a run-down of the jobs that are best for skin, plus the ones which could be the most challenging.
Find out what could be stressing your skin below - or jump straight to tailored skincare routines for each profession.
Finding The Best Professions for Your Skin
Here’s how we worked it all out: we surveyed over 3,000 employees in 15 different industries about how often they experience 18 ‘skin-stressing’ factors at work, including working in front of a computer screen, wearing a mask, high stress levels and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Each profession was then assigned a ‘Skin Stress Score,’ out of 100. The higher the score, the greater the number of skin-stressing factors each profession was potentially vulnerable to…and the more your job might present challenges for your skin.
And the Most Skin-Friendly Industry Is… Sport And Leisure
Jobs in the Sport and Leisure Industry are best for skin health
Jobs that scored a Skin Stress Score of between 1 and 50 were deemed the best for skin - and with a score of just 34 out of 100, sport and leisure workers - for example, yoga instructors, sports coaches and swimming instructors - experienced the fewest skin stressing factors of any of the professions surveyed.
The research shows that those working in this industry rarely worked late, felt stressed or ate unhealthy food at work – all of which can have a negative impact on your skin’s appearance.
Top 7 Best Industries and Professions for Your Skin
Click an industry to go straight to a tailored skincare routine.
| Industry | Skin-Stress Score (Out of 100) | |
| 1 | Sport and Leisure | 34.2 |
| 2 | Education | 38.9 |
| 3 | Law | 41.9 |
| 4 | Health | 42.7 |
| 5 | Engineering and Manufacturing | 47 |
| 6 | Transportation and Logistics | 47.9 |
| 7 | Retail | 49.2 |
The Industries that can be the Most Skin-Challenging
At the other end of the scale, the worst scoring professions are in the science and pharmaceutical industries, scoring 74.36 - more than double the score of sport and leisure jobs.
Employees in this industry often work late or on night shifts, work in air-conditioned environments and are also often outside in hot temperatures in the summer, particularly those who work as geographers, environmental scientists, or geologists – all of which can have a negative impact on skin’s condition and health.
The 6 Most Complexion-Challenging Industries
Click a profession to go straight to a tailored skincare routine.
| Industry | Skin-Stress Score (Out of 100) | |
| 1 | Science and Pharmaceuticals | 74.4 |
| 2 | Construction | 70.5 |
| 3 | Energy | 68.8 |
| 4 | Hospitality and Tourism | 65.8 |
| 5 | Finance and Banking | 60.7 |
| 6 | General Business | 58.1 |
How to Career-Proof Your Skincare
The best ways to achieve glowing skin, wherever you work and whatever you do.
1. The Sport and Leisure Skincare Routine - Skin Stress Score (SSS): 42
Personal trainers, yoga or swimming instructors
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
In the summer, being out in the heat/sun
A long commute
Working inside without any natural light
What It Means for Your Skin
Time spent outside means more exposure to damaging UVA and UVB rays which can prematurely age the skin. Likewise, working outside in cold weather is likely to cause dryness which can make skin feel uncomfortable and tight.
What You Need
SPF is key to protecting skin from sun damage and Vitamin C can brighten skin tone and help to reduce the signs of premature ageing. A lovely hydrating essence is also great to have on standby throughout the day.
The BEAUTY PIE Sport and Leisure Skincare Kit
Superactive Capsules Pure Double Vitamin C & Vitamin E Serum
Super Healthy Skin™ FeatherLight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer
2. The Education Industry Skincare Routine - SSS: 38.9
Teachers, Lecturers, Tutors
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Tiredness from work
Not taking a lunch break
What It Means for Your Skin
Tiredness can affect your natural glow. Skipping lunch breaks can exacerbate this, as well as increasing stress levels - so your skin’s cell turnover is sluggish and you could notice everything from dryness to dullness to clogged pores.
What You Need
Starting your day by cleansing with a moisture-rich balm and upping your hydration levels with Hyaluronic Acid is a great way to make your skin look as refreshed as possible. An eye cream containing Retinol is a great way to help brighten tired eyes, too.
The BEAUTY PIE Education Professionals’ Skincare Kit
3. The Legal Profession Skincare Routine - SSS: 41.9
Lawyers, solicitors, judges
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Long hours in front of a screen
Feeling tired from work
What It Means for Your Skin
Sitting in front of a screen for prolonged periods can affect the quality of your sleep. Stress and deadlines can also affect your skin - you might notice dryness, increased sensitivity and even a breakdown in collagen production, leading to premature signs of ageing.
What You Need
Adding a supercharged moisturiser to your routine is guaranteed to deliver a dewy finish that will hide all evidence of over-working. Glycolic pads are a great way to ensure dull, tired skin looks smooth and clear, too. As always, add SPF daily, too.
Use all of these products morning and night, except our Dr Glycolic Pads, which should be used 2-3 times a week.
The BEAUTY PIE Legal Profession Skincare Kit
4. The Healthcare Industry Skincare Routine - SSS: 42.7
Doctors, nurses, health visitors, mental health practitioners
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Working long hours
Feeling tired from work
Skipping lunch breaks
What It Means for Your Skin
Overworking or working extended hours can naturally increase overall stress levels, which will impact the health of your skin. Feeling tired from work might also mean you skimp on your skincare routine, so it’s important to find products that are loaded with active ingredients, keeping your routine as efficient and effective as possible.
What You Need
Adding a gentle-but-effective face polish a couple of times a week will really help re-energise your skin, and skincare infused with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C will also ensure skin looks radiant, too. Don’t forget to add SPF.
The BEAUTY PIE Healthcare Professional Skincare Kit
5. The Engineering and Manufacturing Industry Skincare Routine - SSS: 47.0
Mechanical engineers, welders, automotive manufacturer
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Working long hours
Wearing a mask
Working around aircon
What It Means for Your Skin
Air-conditioned environments can dry skin and cause irritation and dryness, and wearing a mask can increase oiliness that can lead to breakouts and blemishes. Working long hours and feeling sluggish on the job can reduce blood flow and potentially lead to a dull complexion.
What You Need
To ward off tired-looking skin, pair a glow-giving serum with a replenishing moisturising cream, for brighter, dewier skin. Just add SPF.
The BEAUTY PIE Engineer’s Skincare Kit
6. The Transportation and Logistics Industry Skincare Routine - SSS: 47.9
Road traffic investigators, freight agents, supply chain managers
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Working at night
Working inside with no natural light
Working long hours
What It Means for Your Skin
Working excessive hours can increase overall stress levels, causing the hormone release of cortisol that can cause clogged pores and breakouts. Working at night can worsen bags under eyes and make the area puffier and more swollen
What You Need
Best way to mask the effects of tiredness from night work? Skincare loaded with proven actives. A routine containing Vitamins A (Retinol), B (Niacinamide) and C will ensure skin stays looking fresh and glowy.
The BEAUTY PIE Transport Pro’s Skincare Kit
7. The Retail Industry Skincare Routine - SSS: 49.2
Store managers, merchandisers, beauty counter consultants, cashiers
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Being inside with no natural light
Long hours spent sitting down
Working long hours
Eating unhealthy food
What It Means for Your Skin
Having limited access to natural light can lead to a lack of Vitamin D, which can cause uncomfortably dry or itchy skin. Working long hours without the support of a well-balanced diet can be detrimental to skin health, too.
What You Need
By infusing the skin with energy-boosting ingredients and treating your skin to a face polish once or twice a week, you’ll boost circulation and increase your skin’s natural glow. (Don’t forget to add SPF).
The BEAUTY PIE Retail Worker’s Skincare Kit
8. The General Business Professions Skincare Routine - SSS: 58.1
Marketing, PR, advertising, call centres, office workers
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Working long hours in front of a screen
Often on the phone
Working late
Wearing a mask
What It Means for Your Skin
Long hours sitting down in front of a screen can lead to poor circulation which can decrease the normal strength, elasticity, and flexibility of the skin. It can also have a knock-on effect on sleeping patterns, especially when paired with working late, which can lead to increased stress.
What You Need
To beat a lack of sleep, use resurfacing Glycolic pads to ensure dead skin cells are kept at bay, allowing maximum moisture to penetrate your skin. Layer intensely moisturising serum drops followed by moisturiser to replenish skin with double-duty hydration (just add SPF).
Use all of these products morning and night, except our Dr Glycolic Pads, which should be used 2-3 times a week.
The BEAUTY PIE General Business Skincare Kit
9. The Finance and Banking Industries Skincare Routine - SSS: 60.7
Investment and corporate banking, consumer banking, fund management
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Often working late
Working long hours in front of a screen
Long periods sitting down
What It Means for Your Skin
Excessive time spent in front of a screen can affect the quality of your sleep, leading to fine lines and dark circles, while sitting down for a large part of the day can result in poor circulation which can decrease the normal strength and elasticity of the skin.
What You Need
A soothing cleanser and high-intensity hydrating ingredients will ensure skin is as soft, smooth and soothed as possible. Just add daily SPF.
Use all of these products morning and night, except our Dr Glycolic Pads, which should be used 2-3 times a week.
The BEAUTY PIE Finance and Banking Skincare Kit
10. The Hospitality and Tourism Industry Skincare Routine - SSS: 65.8
Chefs, waiters, hotel managers, tour guides, sommeliers
65.8
Skin Stress Score
Top Skin-Stressing Factors:
Feeling stressed every day
Working late
Long time spent commuting
Eating unhealthy food
What It Means for Your Skin
Eating unhealthy food on the job can cause breakouts in the skin and increased redness and fine lines. This, especially when paired with stress, a long commute and working late, can result in a lack of essential skin-nourishing vitamins.
What You Need
Boosting your skincare with super-moisturising ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid will help to nourish and calm skin, helping to keep redness and fine lines at bay. (Don’t forget to add SPF!)
The BEAUTY PIE Hospitality and Tourism Skincare Kit
If this has got you thinking about how you can give your skin the TLC it deserves, check out the full BEAUTY PIE skincare range.
Footnotes
Methodology: The research reveals which professions (from a total of 13 industries) are best and worst for your skin by quantifying which experience 18 'skin-stressing' factors the most, for example working late, stress and working in front of a computer screen for hours each day.
To rank the professions, a 'skin stress index score' was created - the professions were compared against each other for each of the skin-stressing factors and were then allocated a score (from 1-13, 1 being the best and 13 being the worst). The scores for each profession were totalled (a total of 234 points was on offer) to create an overall skin stress score, and this was then converted to an index score out of 100. A high score is bad and means that working in that profession could be bad for your skin health. A low score is good and means that profession doesn't expose skin to as many skin stressing factors.
Survey, executed by Censuswide – 3,000 UK respondents aged 16 and above
All data can be accessed here.
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