What is inflammaging? Dermatologists explain how it affects the skin and how to treat it
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With the seemingly endless array of skin care terms that exist nowadays, it can be cumbersome to keep up with all of them — especially the ones without much substance or science to back them up. With that being said, one that’s definitely worth getting up to snuff on is inflammaging, as it’s a process that happens to everyone at varying degrees. What exactly is inflammaging though? And can it be stopped? Here, with expert insight from five board-certified dermatologists, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about inflammaging, including what causes it, if (and how) it can be prevented and the best products that can help treat it.
What is inflammaging?
Despite its newfound prevalence online and in brand marketing, the term inflammaging has actually been around for decades. “Coined by a French professor in 2000, inflammaging describes the interconnectivity related to inflammation and aging,” explains Dr. Robert Finney, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “As we get older there are intrinsic and extrinsic factors to aging, and by nature of aging, there is an increase in inflammation, which can accelerate aging.”
According to Finney, it’s a repetitive cycle that occurs relatively slowly over time, though it can accelerate quicker in some due to a variety of different factors (more on those, ahead). “On a simple level, intrinsically our cell repair mechanism becomes slower and less effective, and things start to break down causing inflammation to build which then furthers the stress,” says Finney.
Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and New Jersey, explains that chronic low-grade inflammation can contribute to signs of aging in the form of hyperpigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles, along with redness and dry skin. “Inflammation can lead to collagen loss and loss of glycosaminoglycans, including hyaluronic acid, which may contribute to skin dryness,” she adds.
It’s worth noting that inflammaging doesn’t just impact the skin. “Inflammaging is believed to play a role in the development of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic conditions,” says Dr. Glenicia Nosworthy, an internal medicine and aesthetics doctor based in Brooklyn, New York. “Chronic inflammation can contribute to tissue damage, impaired cellular function and the progression of various age-related health issues.”
When it comes down to it, the topic of inflammaging is very nuanced with myriad different factors at play — many of which are still being researched. What we do know for sure, however, is that chronic inflammation and skin aging go hand in hand.
What causes inflammaging?
As Garshick explains, inflammaging is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors — including but not limited to exposure to UV rays and pollution, chronic stress and free radical damage. Additionally, smoking tobacco, as well as lifestyle factors like poor sleep and diet can play a role in inflammaging too. “Studies have also demonstrated that a compromised skin barrier can have a variable influence on inflammaging,” says Dr. Pooja Rambhia, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Furthermore, multiple cellular processes including DNA damage have been identified as potential causes of inflammaging, though further research is needed to help advance therapeutics that may reduce the effect of aging on the human body.”
Can you prevent inflammaging?
The short answer is no, because inflammaging is a process that inherently happens to the human body over time, but it can be slowed down through various measures. “Inflammaging is a natural process, but there are steps that you can take to reduce the effects of or delay the start of inflammaging,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “Many of these habits fall into general ‘best practices’ for a healthy lifestyle and overall stress reduction: drink eight glasses of water a day, sleep for seven to eight hours per night and incorporate regular exercise into your weekly routine.”
Other ways to curtail the effects of inflammaging include reducing stress, wearing sunscreen daily and keeping skin moisturized with products that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin into your routine.
The best products to treat inflammaging
Now that you’re fully primed on inflammaging, what causes it and how to delay the natural process as much as possible, let’s dive into some of the best derm-recommended products for skin inflammaging.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
This ultra-gentle cleanser effortlessly dissolves makeup, dirt and excess oil, and is free of common irritants found in other face washes like fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives. Garshick says this makes it an especially ideal option for those with sensitive skin: “It’s gentle enough to be used every day and can remove makeup and excess oil without drying the skin out, making it great for those dealing with inflammaging.”
Andalou Naturals Deep Hydration Daily Shade + Blue Light Defense SPF 30
“This mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide and provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage while also protecting against blue light and pollution, making it a great option to protect against inflammaging,” Garshick says of this multi-tasking SPF 30. “It also contains hyaluronic acid and bio-designed collagen to boost moisture, helping to hydrate and plump the skin without leaving a white cast behind.”
Skinbetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum
On top of vitamins C and E, this award-winning serum contains 17 additional antioxidants to help protect against free radical damage and environmental stressors — all without irritating the skin. “It also contains Allyl PQQ (a patented super-potent antioxidant technology) and an anti-pollution complex which together reduces dullness, improves redness, and brightens the skin,” says Garshick. “This ultimately helps to address and prevent signs of skin aging.”
TruSkin Rejuvenating Longevity Serum
A great option for folks who can tolerate retinoids, this featherlight serum contains bakuchiol (a famed alternative to retinol) to help address fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation without irritating the skin. Additionally, it contains lingonberry stem cells which protect the skin from oxidative stress and blue light, both of which can worsen hyperpigmentation and potential signs of inflammaging.
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SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced
“Targeting fine lines, deeper wrinkles and skin aging, this cream targets the effects of glycation,” Garshick says of SkinCeuticals’ best-selling moisturizer. “It hydrates the skin and is free of parabens and drying alcohols, so it won’t leave the skin feeling irritated, making it a great option to address inflammaging.”
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Refillable Face Cream
This fan-favorite face cream from Skinfix works to brighten, firm, plump and moisturize all at once thanks to MVP ingredients like lipids, peptides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and shea butter. It’s also fragrance-free and can be used on the most sensitive of skin types. As if that wasn’t enough, the formula was also clinically tested and proven to reduce trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and strengthen the skin barrier in as little as 30 minutes.
Deinde Skin-Strengthening Serum
Deinde's entire mission is to tackle inflammaging. The brand's serum targets the stressors that cause it with gentle yet effective active ingredients including naringenin (a patented polyphenol), niacinamide, biomimetic tripeptide and date seed extract. It's a pleasant everyday option that will help reduce dark spots and fine lines over time.
Solawave Solabiome Refreshing Jelly Mist Toner
Featuring a powerhouse blend of antioxidants — including vitamin E and pre- and probiotics — this microbiome-friendly facial mist both hydrates and protects skin from free radical damage to help delay inflammaging. Additionally, it contains centella asiatica, a hero calming ingredient that helps to nourish skin and soothe inflammation.
On Solawave's website, the toner is currently 35% off with the code RED35.
Vichy Mineral 89 Prebiotic Concentrate
This deeply hydrating, air-light serum uses the brand’s proprietary volcanic water, along with niacinamide and a probiotic known as vitreoscilla ferment to help repair the skin barrier and soothe irritation, which directly aids in fighting inflammaging. “When used at night, this serum has been shown to reduce irritation associated with retinoid use,” adds Garshick.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
“This oil-free moisturizer contains a combination of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier, as well as niacinamide to soothe the skin, making it a great option for those with inflammaging,” says Garshick. “It helps to calm inflammation and can work to minimize irritation from acne-fighting ingredients.” Lightweight and oil-free, it deeply hydrates skin with glycerin, yet never feels heavy or greasy.
Youth to the People Superfood Facial Cleanser
Recommended by Hartman, this widely loved hydrating gel cleanser effectively cleans skin without drying it out in the slightest. “It’s formulated with antioxidant-rich green tea, along with kale and spinach, which can help calm the effects of inflammaging,” Hartman says. It’s also pH-balanced and friendly to the skin microbiome, both of which can help keep the skin barrier healthy and intact.
Neova SmartSkincare DNA Total Repair Serum
“This rich serum quickly absorbs into the skin and is formulated with DNA repair enzymes and antioxidants that work to speed recovery from prior UV-induced DNA damage,” explains Rambhia. “It helps to gradually improve visible signs of UV damage, including fine lines and discoloration.”
EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex
Another go-to recommendation from Rambhia is this no-frills, fragrance- and- paraben-free formula from EltaMD. “It contains a blend of ceramides and other lipids that work to fortify the skin barrier and replenish moisture,” explains Rambhia.”It also has vitamin E that works as an antioxidant to reduce free radical damage.” By keeping skin adequately moisturized and supporting the moisture barrier, as well as protecting against environmental aggressors, this formula does a solid job at thwarting skin inflammaging.
OneSkin Face OS-01 Peptide Topical Supplement
Powered by the longevity-inspired brand’s proprietary OS-01 peptide, this innovative lotion-like moisturizer targets the root cause of aging to help skin actually behave younger. It’s clinically proven to shut off senescent (see: aging) cells, which leads to smoother, plumper and overall healthier-looking skin. In addition to the OS-01 peptide, the formula also contains time-tested ingredients like soothing allantoin, pore-refining niacinamide and moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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