5 Ways To Prevent Your Skin From Inflammageing – British Vogue

If youre stressed, your diet is out of whack, and your skin is feeling the effects of the colder weather, chances are you might be inflammageing. The beauty buzzword describes how an excess of inflammation the bodys natural immune response to external aggressors accelerates the skins ageing process (by reducing collagen production and inhibiting skin cells ability to renew and repair themselves). Its more prevalent than you might think and knowing how to combat it is key to achieving youthful, robust skin.

Our bodies are clever and use inflammation as a way of signalling stress from the inside-out, explains skin expert and facialist Jasmina Vico. External causes of inflammation can be heat or cold environments, sun damage, pollution, tobacco smoke and things like chemical irritants (detergents, shower gels and abrasive soaps). Internal causes include an unbalanced diet, stress and a lack of sleep. The good news is, you can often tell when your skin is inflamed as well as hot, it might feel dry, itchy, or hardened. As Vico points out, a number of skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea all have their roots in the inflammatory response.

Tackling inflammageing is all about keeping our inflammatory response at a healthy level, rather than allowing it to tip over into extremes, which is when the skin starts to freak out. In addition to managing stress and sleep two important lifestyle factors that affect our inflammation levels here are five ways to take it down now.

Yes, its boring, but clinical studies show that consistently eating a poor diet can contribute to excess inflammation in the body, explains Aliza Margoy, nutritionist and founder of clinical supplement brand Inessa. Food affects our inflammatory response through several mechanisms, including elevated insulin levels, hormonal disturbance and compromised gut health, all of which can lead to inflammation. Ensuring your diet is high in antioxidants and good fats, and low in simple sugars and red meat will ensure you have the best chance of preventing inflammageing.

We all need to be careful about eating large amounts of processed products such as sweets, cakes, cookies, and other refined white foods, continues Margoy. These tend to be higher glycemic load foods that trigger rises in insulin, in turn increasing systemic inflammation which can perpetuate inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis, and contribute to ageing.

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Up the ante on anti-inflammatory ingredients to ensure your diet is working with your skin, rather than against it. Studies show that taking an Omega-3 supplement, like Perricone MDs Omega 3 Supplements, or eating plenty of oily fish can help prevent acne and inflammation, while boosting skins general health and appearance. Turmeric is another excellent anti-inflammatory ingredient. It contains an active compound called curcumin which has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties and with positive results. Add it to recipes or start your day with a turmeric latte. For an excellent all-rounder, Inessas Biosoothe is a supplement that offers a cocktail of nutrients, from resveratrol and zinc to alpha lipoic acid and liposomal turmeric that work together to suppress excess inflammation. Its as brilliant for the skin as it is for the rest of the body, and tackles gut issues like irritable bowel syndrome, too.

As well as seeking a professional skin diagnosis (and holistic treatment plan tailored to you) from a skin expert who knows their stuff, Vicos advice is to deploy antioxidants in your skincare regime. Think vitamin C and resveratrol applied topically, she says, pointing to products formulated with botanical ingredients as the best way forward. For your vitamin C fix, try Exuviances Vitamin C Capsules or Medik8s C-Tetra Serum. Meanwhile, find resveratrol in Beauty Pies Superactive Capsules Pure 3% Resveratrol and Skinceuticals Resveratrol B E. I also recommend CBD skincare, as cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory properties which can help the skin, says Vico. Votarys Super Boost Night Drops blend it with rosemary leaf extract and plant oils to leave skin luminous, dewy and calm come morning.

Instead of going for hell for leather on your skin, keep to a routine that is simple and comprises calming and soothing products, says Vico. Diors Capture Totale Cell Energy Super Potent Serum contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and squalane to deeply hydrate skin, while Shiseidos Ultimate Defense Refresh Mist will hydrate and help skin handle the heat. For those who really need some soothing, look to Avnes Antirougeurs range or COSRXs Pure Fit Cica Serum, which helps to soothe while bolstering the skins defences against external aggressors.

I also recommend avoiding physical exfoliators, like hot cloths, flannels and grainy scrubs, says Vico. Replace these with gentle, chemical exfoliators such as lactic acid. Lixirskins Peel Express is an excellent product for this, and contains a number of different exfoliating acids to keep pore clogging dead cells at bay without stripping the skin and stressing it out further. Vico also recommends avoiding saunas, steam rooms and washing skin in a hot shower for best results.

If you havent already succumbed to the at-home LED mask craze, now could be the time to take the plunge. Infrared and red and blue LED light are brilliant at reducing and healing skin inflammation, says Vico. Its thought that the light stimulates our fibroblast cells, to heal and rejuvenate the skin. The Light Salons Boost LED Mask is one of the best on the market and offers red and near-infrared light wavelengths, while hugging every contour of the skin. Those with acne might like one that also offers blue light, and for that, Dr Dennis Grosss DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is your best bet.