What Is Inflammaging—and How Can We Stop It?

About the Expert:

Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.

What Is Inflammaging?

Inflammaging might sound like a trendy buzzword, but it’s an actual condition coined in scientific research over 20 years ago. According to dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD: “Inflammaging refers to chronic, low-level inflammation that persists over time and may contribute to age-related changes. It is a significant factor in the aging process and is linked to various age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers. It may also play a role in the skin.”

Long story short: Inflammaging is serious business. And while we’re aware that this convo is getting quite medical, what you need to know is that chronic inflammation can also affect the appearance of your skin. Aging is a natural process we all will experience, but inflammaging speeds up this process, causing your skin’s barrier to weaken and prompting symptoms like age spots, sagging skin, chronic dryness, and redness to show up sooner.

Inflammaging vs. Inflammation

We all experience inflammation from time to time. In fact, inflammation can be helpful in the body for healing. Dr. Garshick explains, “Inflammation simply refers to the body’s natural response to injury or infection and may be characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. It can be acute or chronic and may be addressed with various treatments.”

Acute inflammation is your body’s response to healing your skin, muscles, and more. (Think of a scab or the swelling of a sprained ankle.) Chronic inflammation, however, is inflammation in the body that persists over a long period and can lead to inflammaging. 

What Causes Inflammaging?

We wish there were a single straightforward cause for inflammaging, but Dr. Garshick explains, “Inflammaging is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition can make some individuals more prone to chronic inflammation. At the same time, lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, further contribute to this condition.” 

It’s not just your lifestyle that contributes to inflammaging. “Environmental exposures, including pollutants, toxins, and UV radiation, also play a significant role,” Dr. Garshick continues. “Additionally, the immune system’s ability to regulate itself diminishes with age, leading to chronic, low-grade inflammation.”

With our modern lifestyles and access to processed foods that damage our systems (sugar, we’re talking about you), we are all experiencing more inflammation than ever before. We have blue light that disrupts our circadian rhythms and the stress of our daily lives causing acute inflammation that, without mediation, can turn chronic. When our bodies remain stressed, our inflammatory responses can go haywire, leading to inflammaging.

How to Prevent Inflammaging

We’ll admit the idea of inflammaging is all pretty scary, but we wouldn’t be bringing you the problem without a solution. There are things that you can do to contribute to slowing down this process, starting with a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Garshick suggests, “Eat a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish. Exercise regularly, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, manage stress through meditation or yoga, and ensure adequate sleep.” 

Your beauty routine can also protect your skin from the effects of inflammaging. “Hydrating, wearing sun protection, and using topical antioxidants to defend against free radical damage is also important,” says Dr. Garshick. When your skin is properly hydrated, it has a better environment for its natural repair process, resulting in healthier-looking skin and a stronger barrier. Consistent use of SPF and antioxidant serums is also a great place to start. Finally, don’t forsake the simple task of washing your face to remove toxins accumulated throughout the day. 

How to Treat Inflammaging 

To treat inflammaging, Dr. Garshick points to three leading solutions: medication and supplements, lifestyle changes, and topical treatments. “Reduce chronic inflammation through anti-inflammatory medications [prescribed by a doctor, of course], and take supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin.” We’re no stranger to taking hair growth vitamins, and we’re constantly bombarded with probiotics for bloating or acne by our favorite influencers. Still, this same approach to supplementing can be taken to ensure we’re reducing inflammation in our bodies.

On the lifestyle front, Dr. Garshick recommends a healthy diet, exercise, stress management, and, you guessed it, a good night of sleep. When you sleep, your skin works overtime to repair itself, so disrupting this process can result in dull, dry skin. Poor sleep is associated with higher levels of inflammation, so catch those z’s to avoid premature aging.   

Finally, inflammaging can be treated with topicals and derm procedures. By now, we know that this issue is beyond skin deep, but your skincare products can still make a difference. “Topical treatments including antioxidants, retinoids, and hydrating products can help, as can in-office procedures like chemical peels and lasers,” says Dr. Garshick. “However, avoid treatments that could irritate your skin and trigger additional inflammation.” 

Keep scrolling to find our favorite products to reduce inflammaging.

The Best Products for Inflammaging

1. PACIFICA BEAUTY Wake Up Beautiful Overnight Retinoid Cream

Inflammaging doesn’t stand a chance against this transformative night cream. The granactive retinoid is gentle and non-irritating while fighting signs of aging. Mushrooms promote hydration and reduce inflammation while antioxidant-rich quinoa fights free radicals and promotes collagen production. We also love that it’s infused with melatonin to encourage a good night’s rest.

2. TARTE™ Maracuja Tinted Hydrator

This lightweight tinted moisturizer is a fan favorite for its buildable, radiant, juicy skin-like coverage. It tops our list because it has just what your skin needs to fight inflammation. It’s formulated with the superfruit maracuja, which contains omega fatty acids, vitamin C, and antioxidants—three ingredients known for helping to boost the immune system and promote collagen production. 

3. 111SKIN Antioxidant Energising Essence

If you aren’t yet using an essence in your skincare routine, this is your sign to start. This product preps your skin for the next steps of your regimen, helping subsequent products to absorb better. It has antioxidant properties to protect your skin from inflammaging, and it also packs anti-inflammatory ingredients like calming aloe vera and mineral-rich giant kelp. 

4. PURLISSE BEAUTY Matcha Green Tea + Lemon Detoxifying Charcoal Mask

Give your skin the fresh start it needs with this detoxifying charcoal mask. During the day, our skin encounters damaging free radicals that can lead to premature aging. This mask is more effective than a cleanser alone at removing impurities for a brighter, smoother complexion.

5. VENEFFECT Anti-Aging Lip Treatment

While you’re focusing on your eye area for signs of aging, don’t forget that lips are also age indicators. This anti-aging lip treatment from VENEFFECT has phytoestrogen technology to smooth and plump lips, visibly combatting the effects of inflammaging. It reduces the vertical lines around the lips for a more youthful-looking pout. 

6. PURE’AM pH Balance Calming Toner

Your skin needs a calm, balanced environment to maintain a strong barrier, and this calming toner provides just that. The proprietary cica complex contains vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It also contains triple hyaluronic acid to penetrate deep into the skin, leaving it plump with hydration. 

Looking for more skincare tips? check out these skincare-makeup hybrids that actually make your skincare better and discover derm-approved sulfur skincare products to help reduce acne. Want in on all the IPSY fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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