Inflammaging: The Skincare Buzzword You Need to Know
What To Know About Inflammaging
Inflammaging. It could be the latest social messaging app or revolutionary medical technology. But there's nothing so exciting about a phenomenon that refers to the effects of inflammation on ageing. When inflammation increases in the body, it can cause visible signs of ageing to accelerate.
If you are in a chronic state of inflammation, you might notice that your skin gets red and irritated very easily. These signs point to a natural inflammatory immune response that has grown excessive, to the extent that they contribute to ageing.
What Causes Inflammaging?
Inflammation has become a forbidden word in wellness circles, and according to every new product and lifestyle article, it's the cause of all our health problems. But it's important to remember that inflammation on its own is a completely normal and healthy immune response.
In fact, inflammation keeps you healthy. When you bump your knee and have a bruise, or when your throat swells up with a cough, it's because your body is sending blood and other fluids to the area to heal faster. Even skin treatments such as chemical peels and microneedling rely on triggering an inflammation response to speed up the renewal of your skin.
Inflammation becomes a problem when it turns into a chronic condition - basically, when your body finds it hard to distinguish between a real immune threat and everyday stressors. This increased sensitivity puts you in a perpetual state of low-grade inflammation that ultimately affects your health in a host of ways. Chronic inflammation is linked to arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and depression. Catching the signs of inflammaging on your face can be the first step to reducing its harmful effects throughout the body.
Stressors on your skin can be internal or external, such as air pollutants, a diet of processed foods, UV exposure, lack of sleep, and chemical irritants. When these overwhelm your immune system and cause inflammaging, it can lead to rapid ageing of the skin on many levels. For one thing, your largest organ is so busy trying to fight off these stressors with inflammation, that it is less able to use other healing tools in its arsenal. That means your skin becomes worse at repairing damage and renewing itself.
Chronic inflammation also has a negative effect on your skin. It compromises the delicate pH barrier, which is supposed to be acidic. Once this protective shield has eroded, the process of ageing speeds up as your skin is more prone to damage. On top of that, chronic inflammation inhibits the renewal of collagen and elastin, both of which keep your skin firm. And if that weren’t enough, chronic inflammation enables the build-up of reactive oxygen species. Like free radicals, these unstable molecules cause cellular damage.
The Effects Of Inflammaging
Chronic inflammation exacerbates the visible signs of ageing on the skin. Wrinkles grow more prominent due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Age spots from oxidative stress and UV exposure tend to grow larger and more prominent.
Another manifestation of inflammaging occurs due to the depletion of hyaluronic acid in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient, and can be found in fillers - but it also exists naturally in your body. It attracts water into the tissues, keeping skin plump, dewy, and hydrated. When you lack hyaluronic acid, you can expect to see signs of dehydration in the mirror, like flakes and dullness.
With inflammaging, you might notice the symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea worsening. Acne starts acting up too, as all of these inflammatory conditions are aggravated. Then there is “sugar sag”: a loss of elasticity in the skin caused by heightened glucose levels that break down collagen. This process is known as glycation, and it’s responsible for the formation of deep wrinkles.
How to Tackle Inflammaging
Now that we have roughly a million reasons to panic about inflammaging and ageing, what can we do about it? Inflammaging skincare comes down to managing the underlying cause: inflammation. Here are some tips to reduce chronic inflammation and preserve your body from inflammaging.
Boost your collagen and elastin
The breakdown of collagen and elastin plays a major role in visible ageing. To keep your skin looking plump and firm for longer, be sure to use a high-quality moisturiser twice a day. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinoids can improve collagen production. Regular application of sunscreen helps protect against UV damage.
Repair your skin barrier
The skin barrier is sensitive yet powerful. A strong one can make the difference between perpetually irritated skin, and a complexion that’s resilient in the face of external stressors. That’s where your moisturiser comes in, so choose one that’s hydrating and nourishing.
MUKOOMI Hemp CBD Face Cream has Japanese Knotweed, which is one of the most powerful plant sources of the antioxidant resveratrol. It also contains Tiger Grass to repair the skin barrier and reduce surface damage. Chamomile heals sun damage while hydrating your skin.
For best results, use this deeply nourishing cream each morning, and MUKOOMI Hemp CBD Face Serum at night. Our serum features anti-ageing botanicals like CBD and Rose Oil, and is packed with richly moisturising Vitamin E for deep hydration. CBD is a serious antioxidant and has clinically supported anti-inflammatory effects. Keep inflammaging signs like wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging at bay!
You are what you eat
A diet rich in antioxidants can do wonders to bring down inflammation and preserve your skin’s collagen. Healthy omega-3 fatty acids are equally known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Try and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as berries, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes. A good rule of thumb is to taste the rainbow, as each colour of produce offers different antioxidant and nutrition benefits.
Get your fatty acids in with oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna, or with shellfish - think prawns, oysters, and crabs. Vegetarian sources include walnuts, chia seeds, seaweed, and flaxseed. Hemp seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, and MUKOOMI Hemp CBD Oil is made of organic CBD in 100% pure hemp seed oil. It’s a convenient, vegan-friendly supplement, with the added benefits of CBD.
Sweet dreams
Getting a good night’s sleep can be easier said than done. But it’s one of the best things you can do for your skin and your overall health. Sleep is when your body and mind get to heal, process, and reset for the next day. Try to wind down at the same time each night with a bedtime routine. This signals to your body that it’s time to rest. If you’re struggling with insomnia, natural remedies like melatonin or MUKOOMI Hemp CBD Oil can relax your mind and calm your emotions for a soothing sleep.
Tempering emotional stress
Stress is the enemy of good health and good skin. So the last thing you want to do is get tense about that pimple or wrinkle! Even Rihanna has bad skin days sometimes, and inflammaging - or any other issue you’re facing in life - is hardly the end of the world. Working on practises like five-minute meditations, bullet journalling, and breathing exercises can help you manage everyday stress. If you’re dealing with anxiety, CBD is proven to be an effective natural remedy. While each person’s response to emotional stress is individual, you should never be afraid to seek professional treatment.
Related Post: Anxiety is the New Normal. Is CBD Our New Cure?
Set your water alarm
By now, you should know that drinking enough water makes everything better - from your digestion, to your energy levels and skin. Just in case you still have trouble drinking a couple of litres of fluids each day, we have some ideas. If you simply forget to drink water, an alarm on your phone or an eye-catching water bottle might help you remember. For those who just don’t like plain water, make it a point to have your favourite tea or flavour drops on hand at all times. And if you prefer to drink sparkling water or club soda? We’re not here to judge.
Inflammaging practically rhymes with “intimidating.” But it doesn’t have to be. When your mind and body are in a healthy relationship, your skin will reflect it, too. MUKOOMI CBD skincare works with you to find that balance, so you can get off the tightrope of chronic inflammation.
