Video by drwendyaesthetics

If your skin is looking worse after a really busy week, it's probably not just in your head. A 2026 study had researchers follow 31 women working China's 996 schedule. That means 9am to 9pm, six days a week, and their fatigue and skin changes were documented and clinically measured. As fatigue increased, several skin changes were observed, including increased fire lines and

wrinkles, particularly around the eyes and forehead, a reduction in skin elasticity, and changes in skin color, including increased yellowness and renders, which are commonly associated with a fatigued or aged appearance. So when you look at your reflection after a long week and think, wow, my skin looks dull, there's science that explains why. Skin doesn't just

reflect age or skincare routines. It reflects what your body is going through internally. Sleep, stress and recovery all influence the biology of the skin. Everything is connected.