Inflammation hurts your skin — but what is inflammatory?
Simply put, it’s a type of inflammation that happens as you get older.
Aging is a complex and recent process research suggests can contribute to a subtle but chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body.
This can, in turn, increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and more.
Scientists have also found a link between inflammation and skin aging. Here’s what we know so far and what you can do to prevent this type of aging from happening to your skin.
Inflammation Damages Your Skin: How It Happens
As we age, the skin undergoes several changes. It can become drier and thinner, while collagen and elastin production decreases, resulting in sagging and sagging. One reason for this is the low-grade inflammation that can occur throughout the body.
Inflammation is normally a healthy part of the immune system. When you cut yourself, the immune system sends cells to the area to repair it. Part of this process includes the redness and swelling you may see around the wound, which subsides once the wound has healed.
Chronic inflammation, however, is thought to be a dysfunction of the immune system. Instead of revving up and then settling down, the inflammation continues at a low hum. This type of inflammation can be caused by many factors, including environmental stressors such as the following:
- ultraviolet radiation
- the use of toxic or harsh ingredients in skin care products
- excessive exfoliation
- chemicals in skin care and makeup
- medical treatments
- pollution
- poor nutrition
- lack of exercise
Aging itself, however, also increases the risk of chronic inflammation, which is why scientists now call it “inflammatory.”
Inflammation Damages Your Skin: What Happens to the Skin
Inflammation leads to several changes in the skin that contribute to its aging.
Collagen breakdown
Inflammatory cytokines in the blood break down collagen, resulting in a loss of skin firmness and elasticity.
Increased Oil Production
Inflammation can lead to increased production of sebum (skin oil), which can cause acne or worsen skin conditions such as rosacea.
Oxidative Stress
Inflammation creates free radicals—unstable, destructive molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate aging.
Impaired barrier function
Chronic inflammation compromises the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to irritants, allergens, moisture loss and infections. All of these can also increase inflammation in the skin.
In addition, a weakened skin barrier will not retain moisture, resulting in dryness, dullness, redness, irritation and other skin conditions.
Inflammation damages your skin and possibly the rest of your body
Exciting first studies in inflammation show that when you reduce inflammation in the skin, you can reduce it in the body.
In one 2019 study from the University of California, San Francisco, for example, scientists found that when participants aged 58 to 95 years applied a skin repair cream all over their bodies twice a day for 30 days, their levels of inflammatory cytokines decreased to compared to levels before they started using the cream.
In fact, using the cream lowered their cytokine levels to nearly equal those of people in their 30s. The cream also improved skin hydration, lowered pH and repaired the outer barrier.
This suggests that rejuvenating the skin can reverse inflammation throughout the body—and that ties in with another interesting idea the researchers had. What if the chronic inflammation that usually affects the elderly originates on the skin?
So far, we don’t know why inflammation levels increase as we age. Theories have pointed to an immune system malfunction or perhaps a liver problem. But these scientists thought that the inflammation must come from a large enough organ that a very small level of inflammation in that organ would affect the entire body.
“The skin is a good candidate for this because of its size,” said senior study author Mao-Qiang Man, MD “It could be that the skin has very little inflammation, and because it’s such a large organ it elevates circulating cytokine cells.” .
Inflammation Is Harming Your Skin: How To Stop It
It will be interesting to see what the research reveals as we move forward. One thing is clear – keeping your skin healthy is a great way to keep the rest of your body healthy too!
How can you reduce inflammation to promote healthier, younger-looking skin?
Try these tips.
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet
What you eat can significantly affect the levels of inflammation in your body. Choose foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds to help fight skin aging. Good choices include fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, healthy fats (such as those in oily fish, flaxseeds and walnuts) and spices (such as turmeric, garlic, pepper and basil).
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out. In addition to drinking eight glasses of water a day, try adding water-rich foods like melons, cucumbers and oranges to your diet.
Limit environmental/lifestyle stressors
Various environmental and lifestyle factors can cause inflammation. Wear sunscreen to protect against UV rays, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, reduce your exposure to outdoor pollution and minimize stress. Chronic stress can exacerbate inflammation in the body.
Incorporate anti-inflammatory ingredients into your skin care routine
As noted in the study above, regularly applying anti-inflammatory ingredients to your skin can help reduce inflammation.
CV Skinlabs products were created to help reduce inflammation and maintain healthy skin. All our products contain our proprietary Tri-Rescue Complex, a blend of powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients with a high antioxidant profile, designed to help restore the skin barrier and restore skin health and radiance.
They include the following ingredients (and more) designed to keep inflammation at bay:
- Curcumin: Derived from turmeric, curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and promote skin healing.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera has a great reputation for helping to reduce inflammation in the skin. It also reduces redness and irritation.
- Centella Asiatica: Also known as Gotu Kola, this herbal extract helps stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation. It is particularly effective for sensitive skin.
- Reishi mushroom: Renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Reishi also helps strengthen the skin barrier, protecting against environmental stressors.
- Bisabolol: A natural compound derived from chamomile, bisabolol is known for its calming effects on the skin. It helps reduce redness and inflammation and works great for sensitive types.
Shop our CV Skinlabs range of products today. Use any or all of them to reap the benefits of daily anti-inflammatory protection.
Have you heard that inflammation damages your skin?
Featured image by Marcus Aurelius via Pexels.
