The global economic crisis arguably hit Iceland the hardest. Yet despite 10% unemployment, debt that exceeds 850% of GDP and national bankruptcy, one woman believes that this once sleepy island possesses the world’s antidote to stress and the secret to beautiful skin.

Sarah Kugelman is the founder of skyn Iceland, a skincare company offering natural solutions for stressed skin, and an expert in how to and how not to manage stress.

Kugelman is the type of person that could inspire a hit Hollywood television series. She’s beautiful (gorgeous really), ambitious and Ivy League educated. She held senior marketing positions at Bath & Body Works, L’Oréal, and Bloomingdale’s, before becoming a wife, mother and entrepreneur.

But in 1995, her doctor told her stress was taking a toll on her health and her skin, “[I]f I didn’t learn to decompress, I would not live to see my fortieth birthday. My stress was not only making me critically ill but also wreaking havoc on my skin. I had cystic acne, scars, and incredible dehydration.”

So Kugelman took a break from corporate life and took an interest in psychodermatology, which analyzes the relationship between stress and the skin. If the field is new to you, you’re not alone. According to Dr. Ted Grossbart, as assistant clinical profession at Harvard Medical School, “Psychodermatology is not an official field. It’s an informal designation for the territory between conventional medical dermatology and the mental health disciplines.” Either way, it’s fascinating and growing (fast).

As Sarah points out, “[W]hen stress becomes chronic and hormone levels remain elevated, it triggers a combination of symptoms including irritation and inflammation. [N]utrients are drawn away from the skin, so it is not able to heal. This domino effect manifests in the form of excess oil, breakouts, dehydration, irritation and can lead to premature aging.”

If this sounds dire, don’t dismay… skyn Iceland offers a solution! In spite of its economic turmoil, Iceland remains rich in natural resources, which Sarah and her team bottle and deliver to Sephora shelves across the country.

“Research into the local environment found that mineral-rich glacial waters and potent, antioxidant-rich botanicals were ideal, renewable-source ingredients for my skincare products. Utilizing my 19 years of experience developing beauty products for some of the biggest names in the business, I was able to combine these natural ingredients with the most advanced skincare science. The result: products that help relieve, heal and replenish chronically stressed skin,” says Kugelman.

Thanks to Kugelman, you can stress about the economy… about swine flu… about diplomatic relations with Pakistan, but you don’t have to stress about your skin! Here are Kugelman’s stress-free skin secrets:
• Get 7 hours or more of sleep.
• Go to yoga, acupuncture and get massages.
• Drink water… constantly.
• Cleanse morning and night.
• Use skyn Iceland only and daily!

Want experience the skyn Iceland for yourself? Face Parlour recommends starting with The Antidote Quenching Daily Moisturizer, which offers a cooling, nourishing “splash” of glacial goodness. You may also want to try Kugelman’s favorite – The Oxygen Infusion Night Cream, “I can’t live without that healing, warming effect before bedtime that turns into clear, flawless, radiant skin by morning.”

For more information about skyn Iceland and its founder, visit www.skyniceland.com.