As we age, the intricate dance between inflammation and the skin becomes increasingly apparent. In the quest to understand the specifics of aging, scientists have recently turned their attention to a phenomenon known as ‘inflammaging’. This emerging concept explores the interconnected relationship between aging and chronic inflammation, shedding light on its implications for overall health and longevity, and the often very visible impact it can have on our skin. Fortunately, arming ourselves with the knowledge and understanding of the link between inflammation and aging empowers and enables us to put in preventative measures to address this head on.

 

Inflammaging, the chronic low-grade inflammation associated with aging, often will extend its reach to the skin. So in order to understand it’s affect on the skin, we must first get to grips with how this process unfolds on a cellular level. The term ‘Cellular senescence’ describes the state in which cells cease to divide. Senescent cells accumulate in the skin and release inflammatory signals, creating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment that fuels inflammation and contributes to tissue dysfunction – as a result the skin’s resilience and repair mechanisms are negatively impacted. Unfortunately, not only do we have to battle with this inflammatory internal struggle, we also have to deal with ‘Immunosenescence’ and how this impacts our skin. This term refers to the weakening of the immune system, and once our immune response weakens, the skin becomes more vulnerable to external stressors, making it less adept at defending against potential threats.  So it’s fair to say, as we age our bodies are dealing with some internal battles which later in life can definitely show through the surface.

 

Our skin serves as a visible canvas reflecting our internal health. Inflammation can manifest in various ways, contributing to skin issues like redness, puffiness, and an increased susceptibility to skin conditions. In fact, chronic inflammation is also associated with various skin conditions too, including psoriasis, eczema, and acne. On top of this, inflammaging also accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, crucial proteins for maintaining skin structure and elasticity. The loss of these proteins contributes to the forming of wrinkles and sagging skin, common signs of aging. The good news is understanding the inflammatory components of these conditions allows us to develop solutions to minimise the amount of inflammation we hold within our body, therefore preventing these skin conditions and issues from surfacing in the first place – or even treat them after the fact. So in order to get to grips with how to prevent inflammation as we age, we must first understand what causes it.

 

It’s important to acknowledge that a certain amount of the increase in inflammation as we age is natural, our bodies resilience declines gradually as our immune systems deplete. But a significant amount of the inflammation is caused or accelerated by environmental and lifestyle factors, meaning they can be adjusted. Perhaps the most obvious cause is a diet high in unhealthy and excessively processed foods – these inflammatory foods cause oxidative stress levels to increase, therefore creating an environment in which pro-inflammatory bacteria can thrive. The link between the state of our gut microbiome and our skin microbiome is significant, as our skin is a reflection of our gut health. Inflammation can also be heightened as a result of UV exposure from the sun. These UV rays can damage cells by causing the production of free radicals, which ultimately intensifies the damage caused by oxidative stress. Another factor that causes inflammation in the body, and therefore on the skin is stress. Research has found strong correlation between our stress levels and systemic inflammation – this results in stress hormones like cortisol rapidly increasing during periods of pressure or anxiety. A factor that can often go overlooked is pollution. Pollution from our environment has been shown to increase not only the production of free radicals, but also particles in the air we breathe which induce inflammation. It’s clear to see there is no one factor which causes or accelerates inflammation in the body – it is instead a myriad of factors which when combined and not controlled, can run rampant on the health of our body and skin.

 

Now that we know the sciencey stuff, it’s important to note that a lot can be done to minimise inflammation and its impact on our skin. Regular application of sunscreen (preferably mineral sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30) can help prevent the oxidative stress the sun can cause us, so we can just focus on getting the goodness out of spending time in the sun. Putting in place lifestyle changes like altering your diet to reduce the amount of inflammatory foods we consume can have a real positive impact on how severely we can be affected by skin conditions like Eczema and acne for instance – approach this with an inclusive attitude, where the focus is not on eliminating entire food groups, but instead trying to include anti-inflammatory and nutrient rich foods to reduce the systemic inflammation levels in the body, simply by enjoying the benefits of all that nature has to offer.

We can also enjoy nature’s goodness topically too. Opting for skincare which is rich in antioxidants allows the necessary nutrients to be delivered directly to the skin.

Nature’s Goodness, Bottled

Choosing the right skincare can be the difference between products that minimise and neutralise inflammation in the skin, versus products that wreak havoc and create an environment that is a breeding ground for inflammation, which as we age only exacerbates our symptoms. We must first acknowledge, there is no single hero ingredient or product that can give us the immediate results were looking for, but creating a routine in which each step and product is tailored to the goal of minimising inflammation can change everything. High quality anti-inflammatory and antioxidant skincare products consist of an array of nourishing options that reduce cellular damage, fight free radicals, protect from environmental stressors and pollutants, and help to reverse the impact that inflammaging has already had. Waterless, natural and vegan products, like our entire Vemel range addresses many of the inflammation inducing concerns head on. By opting only for nutrient rich, undiluted and purely natural products we can start our blank canvas knowing no damaging ingredients or harsh chemicals are involved. Next we can focus on how each step in our skincare routine can have the most positive impact and offer as much goodness as possible.

 

Because cleansers are not a leave on product, most people severely underestimate how much they can impact the skin. Which is why when starting your cleansing step, we recommend our No.1 Cleansing Oil. This cleanser is filled with all the antioxidants and multivitamins your skin could want to reduce inflammation, whilst still effectively purifying the skin, even removing stubborn make up and SPF with ease. Ingredients like Raspberry Extract works wonders for those combating the signs and symptoms of inflammaging, it’s high vitamin E and A content means it supports the skins moisture barrier, maintains its elasticity and helps improves the appearance of wrinkles. It’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties also helps to protect and heal the skin from UVB induced damage. The Camellia Seed Oil in this cleansing oil also helps to reduce redness and soothe irritation thanks to its antiinflammatory properties. 

 

Next, to strengthen the skin barrier and increase the skins ability to fight off external stressors, a serum is the perfect solution. Our Vemel Advanced Protective Serum is a dual action serum that not only protects the skin against photoaging and blue light, but also stimulates collagen production and strengthens the skin barrier to lock in hydration. This serum works effectively to minimise the impact of inflammation and therefore prevent accelerated signs of aging with its specially curated ingredient list. For instance, the Micro & Macro Algae Complex included in this serum has a high concentration of omega 3 fatty acids, making it perfect to combat the skin concerns associated with inflammaging like psoriasis, eczema and acne. Whereas the high Squalene content in the Amaranth CO2 Extract that is included in the serum means this serum is also rich in omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids, making it just the ingredient to hydrate, detoxify, soothe, improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles. The combined powerhouse of an ingredient list make this serum the perfect solution to heal the skin, therefore making it better armed to ward off unwanted stressors. 

 

Finally, to seal all this goodness in and give a final burst of nourishment is our Vemel Daily Moisturising Face Butter. This pot of goodness includes skin loving gems like Shea Butter, rich in linoleic and oleic fatty acids, it offers all the moisturising properties we could want, and when applied to the skin the composition of Shea Butter almost acts as a ‘reffating’ agent, restoring lipids and quickly creating moisture. This moisturiser covers all bases when it comes to tackling inflammation as it also includes Argan Oil – the antioxidant activity in Argan Oil has been proven to protect the skin against free radical damage caused by the sun. The anti-sebum affects of Argan Oil also help regulate oil production, to reduce the chances of acne developing.

 

Ultimately, tailoring skincare routines to mitigate inflammation becomes ever more crucial with age. Fortunately, it’s very possible – incorporating antioxidant-rich products, maintaining proper hydration, and using sun protection can provide us with the essential building blocks to promote skin resilience.