Inflammation, Explained

Inflammation is natural. It’s our body’s built-in defense system to protect itself. When your body perceives an injury, it sends reinforcements of all kinds to the scene—aka inflammation. Once the issue is resolved, the body’s inflammatory response subsides and things get back to a more normal state.

Inflammation can be triggered both internally (think diet, stress, health conditions) and externally (think pollution, sun exposure, air quality), contributing to unwanted skin conditions. Some of the most common effects that we see are redness, early signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and stubborn breakouts. In our clients, we see signs of inflammation in about 36% of our facials.

Another common inflammation culprit is product overuse, especially in those exploring all areas of skincare and a drawer full of samples. Inflammation can come from over-exfoliating, over-sampling, or irritants or allergens in formulas.

Inflammation in the skin is often the gateway to not only happier skin, but the first step to make other skincare goals less frustrating to reach. 

Products To Reduce Inflammation

There’s no one-size solution or perfect serum for targeting inflammation, but so many healthy ways to come at it. Focus on products loaded with antioxidant-rich fruits and botanicals, healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Cleanser

This non-clogging, lightweight milky cleanser is a great middle ground between a cream cleanser and a gel cleanser. With notes of chamomile and rose flower water, it calms irritated skin while gently toning to restore skin's balance.

Cleanser-Exfoliant-Mask 3-in-1

This rockstar is arguably one of the most multi-functional products yet. Depending on your skin type, it may be gentle enough as a daily cleanser that won't leave you stripped of oil. As an exfoliant, it's an extremely gentle physical scrub. As a mask, it's a calming and hydrating treat that leaves skin supple and radiant.

Serum

Arnica extract (a powerful healer) plus lavender (an anti-inflammatory antioxidant) work in harmony to make skin feel and look cool, calm, and collected.

Mask

The hero ingredient in this product - rosehip seed oil - is a plant oil rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, and a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Targeting Inflammation From The Inside

You can fight inflammation from the inside out as stress is a huge culprit. The hormone cortisol is elevated during stressful times. This is a positive response in short stints as it helps our body manage stress. If you experience stress often, cortisol can backfire and cause inflammation. We’ve seen acne clear up from both the right skincare routine, and quitting a toxic job. Stress is hard to control, so we recommend fitting in time for anti-inflammatory self-care a few times a week with a calming mask or facial massage.

You can also try exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and removing saturated fats, fried foods, sugars, and refined carbohydrates from your diet. It’s a matter of seeing what works for you.