Stella McCartney reveals heartbreaking trigger behind her battle with skin condition
Stella McCartney has revealed the heartbreaking reason behind a skin condition she experienced in her late 20s.
The fashion designer, 50, suffered from rosacea following the death of her mother Linda, aged 56, from breast cancer in 1998.
Speaking to The Sunday Times' Style magazine, the daughter of singer Paul McCartney said: "When my mother passed away, I got really, really, really bad rosacea. I was told it was from stress and anxiety and sadness.”
She added: "I had never understood or had empathy for people with really bad skin until that moment.
"I tried medicine but I didn’t want to go down that route for too long so I learnt to meditate and find inner calm. It was very brief. I believe it was a reaction to mourning.”
Rosacea affects around one in 10 people in the UK, and according to the NHS causes symptoms including redness as well as a burning sensation and dryness.
It is not known exactly what causes the skin condition, but research has indicated that emotional stress can sometimes cause flare-ups.
In the same interview, McCartney revealed that her late mother – who was a photographer and animals rights activist – was the first to introduce her to skincare, although her approach was very simple.
Read more: This game-changing SPF has improved my skin in just one week
The mother-of-four said: "My mum didn’t really wear much make-up. She was the coolest chick on earth. She didn’t have a routine.
"Although when I was 13 I remember she gave me a Clarins cleanser. She kinda handed it to me and said, ‘Hey, you should use something on your skin.’ And that’s the only memory I really have."
She added that her mother also sometimes made her own skincare and was a "huge fan" of oils.
McCartney's parents met in 1967 in London while he was still a member of The Beatles, and were married for 29 years.
Watch: Stella McCartney – fashion industry getting away with murder
