You’ve been washing your face every night and have even carved out time to do more at-home facials. You’ve also been extra diligent about washing your mask, and what’s more, you’ve mostly stopped wearing makeup. And yet, you just got a bad breakout. What gives?

If your complexion is normally pretty balanced, the likely answer is that your skin is just plain stressed. To find out more about what that really means—and how to make it stop—we spoke with clean beauty expert and Doctor of Pharmacy Mona Vand to get her advice on the issue.

“If your skin is behaving in a way that isn’t typical for your skin type it’s probably stressed,” Dr. Vand told PureWow. “Any kind of stress (physical, emotional) can lead to skin stress, because it increases cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Stressed skin is also more sensitive and reactive and can manifest in various ways, like through wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dark circles and breakouts,” she explained.

Oof, that’s a tough one, considering many of us are in a constant state of stress right now. But the good news is, it’s manageable. Below are three tips from Dr. Vand on how to fix stressed-out skin, along with the clinically-proven Bliss products she recommends to help you fight the battle and deliver clear, calm skin in 14 days.

1. Don’t Overreact

While it’s tempting to raid your bathroom cabinet for acne treatments and attack your breakout with a fury, according to Dr. Vand, that’s a no-no: “First and foremost I would say to avoid being overly aggressive on your skin. This can dry it out, which can further irritate it and even cause your body to overcompensate and produce more oil, which will lead to clogged pores and acne.

“Instead, I would recommend trying a few different ingredients that are both super gentle but very effective for stressed out skin: Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, and Witch Hazel. Niacinamide helps to protect your skin from environmental stressors, Zinc PCA helps calm redness, and Witch Hazel is very soothing.”

2. Take Stock of Your Current Diet

“What we eat gets absorbed by our entire body, including the skin, so being mindful and strategic here can really help,” notes Dr. Vand. She recommends sticking to a mostly plant based diet, and trying to eat more “cooling foods like cucumbers and celery to help sooth your skin.”

And while you’re at it, there are a few foods to avoid, namely, “things that increase heat in your body, like spicy foods, and things that cause inflammation (refined sugars, flours, additives and food colorings).” So while ordering a hot oil pizza or baking yet another sourdough loaf feels reassuring after yet another stressful day, you’re better of sticking to cold pressed organic vegetable juices and smoothies, organic berries, raw nuts and seeds, mung beans, kidney beans, eggplant and asparagus for the sake of your skin.

3. Avoid Extra Hot Water

A long, hot shower at the end of the day feels oh-so-soothing. But unfortunately, it’s also extremely irritating to your skin. Dr. Vand recommends avoiding hot water when it comes to washing your face, always using a lukewarm temperature instead to clean the skin without drying it out or stripping it of its natural oils. We say, if you need a good steam, opt for a bath—just don’t submerge your head.

Speaking of washing your face, here are Dr. Vand’s skincare recommendations for giving your skin some relief. (Psst, they’re all available at CVS.)

Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum

“The Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum, 100%! This product is incredible. As soon as you apply it your skin feels soothed and comforted, and after a week or two you’ll see a drastic difference. When my skin is irritated, I personally notice a difference after three days of use,” said Dr. Vand. Remember the Witch Hazel, Niacinamide and Zinc PCA she mentioned above? This product has all three.

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Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser

“The Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser is also really nice because of the Brazilian sea water. It’s so gentle and the natural minerals from the sea water are very balancing. I would recommend taking a warm (not hot) shower and cleansing your skin with the clarifying gel cleanser (get your chest and back while you’re in there, too!) I like taking a shower at night when my skin is irritated, the shower really helps me get a thorough cleanse and prep my skin for the next product,” recommended Dr. Vand.

Once you’re out of the shower, she suggests following up with the aforementioned toner + serum all over your face. “Use a reusable cotton pad or wipe to apply. Even if only certain areas are irritated, using it everywhere can help prevent further irritation and it will just improve your overall skin health. Wait a few minutes for the toner-serum to really absorb into your skin, then follow with your favorite simple, light moisturizer!”

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Final Words of Wisdom:

“Always tackle skin from multiple angles,” advises Dr. Vand. “When you overdo it on products, it tends to irritate your skin even further. Stressed skin comes from a stressed body, so get more sleep, meditate, eat clean, and use quality products. Remember, it’s all connected!”