How cool would it be if stress was good for you? We're all under it -- lots of it -- so just imagine if it made your hair shiny, your skin glow and your nails gorgeous.

Sadly, stress is to beauty what Snooki is to New Jersey's state image -- BAD. It wreaks all sorts of havoc on our complexions, hair and nails.

But other than getting to a nunnery, what's a girl to do? Stress and its sinister sisters, anxiety, tension and worry are everywhere.

To get some answers we consulted with top experts; Dr. Howard Murad, noted dermatologist and skin care guru, and Philip Kingsley, trichologist and peerless authority on hair health.

First we wanted to know whether it's true that stress can actually cause acne. "Recent studies have shown a direct link between stress levels and increases of acne," Murad said. "Scientists now believe that during times of stress, our bodies release elevated levels of [two hormones] that stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil." And, of course, that excess oil leads to clogged pores, blackheads and acne.

Peachy. Find out how to treat acne that’s triggered by these hormones.

So if acne can be triggered by stress, surely wrinkles must be too, right? Mmmhmmm. Click here to learn how wrinkles are affected by stress.

Dr. Murad says that "when you're stressed your brain releases neuro peptides -- they're free radicals that can damage your cell membranes" and draws the comparison between our skin cells and a grape's skin. "If you put pin pricks into the grape skin, the water will seep out. Those radicals are essentially the pricks to our skin -- once they're released, they damage the cell membranes so that they lose water."

This water loss or dehydration leads to "fine lines and wrinkles, a sallow tone and maybe even some dark circles around your eyes because it also effects circulation."

So how do you solve skin care issues caused by stress? Find out here.

If all these negative things can happen to your skin, what about your hair – will it (gasp) fall out or turn gray? And what about your nails – will the chip and flake? See what the experts had to say (and what they suggest to do).

• Now that you know how bad stress is for your looks, try these head-to-toe makeover tips.

• And, to revitalize your complexion, see these top-rated face cleansers.

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