So, you know how we all want to look glowing? To get that smooth, radiant, and youthful skin, it's crucial to grasp the role that inflammation plays in the appearance of the skin.
Inflammation is fuelled mostly by sun exposure, pollution, and not-so-great habits like smoking or drinking. These can then set off a chain reaction in your body that ultimately speeds up the ageing process.
There is even a catchy name for it - inflammaging.
Read more: Skincare scientist Barbara Paldus explains the key ingredient for glowing, clear skin
Inflammation is our body’s natural response to injury, infection, or any perceived threat.
It is a complex biological response involving immune cells, proteins, and signalling molecules called cytokines. Acute inflammation is a short-lived process essential for healing and protection.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a persistent, typically low-level response that can have detrimental effects on our skin and overall health: when our immune defenders are constantly activated, they contribute to premature skin ageing by killing healthy cells too.
Numerous studies have shown that chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in accelerating skin ageing, i.e. “inflammaging”.
This degradation of essential skin components like collagen and elastin often results in fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Free radicals - also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) - are created when skin is exposed to external factors like UV rays and air pollution. ROS steal electrons from healthy skin cells and burden our antioxidant defence system, resulting in oxidative stress.
Chronic inflammation also creates oxidative stress. This stress, in turn, activates enzymes that break down collagen and damage skin cell DNA. This damage can range from impaired cells to dead cells and deeper wrinkles.
So, how can we tackle inflammaging?
To thwart oxidative stress and inflammation, a combo of products and practices are needed.
An effective regimen includes:
1. Antioxidants: neutralise free radicals before they can trigger oxidative stress; these should be both eaten and applied topically
2. Sunscreens (SPF 30+) provides a shield against UV rays
3. Moisturisers: keeps skin hydrated and the skin barrier functioning properly
4. Retinols (use sparingly!) stimulate collagen production and boost cell turnover; but beware - too much can irritate and lead to inflammation!
5. Exfoliators help to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover; however, over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier so use a mild, microbiome-friendly scrub or toner
Lifestyle choices matter also matter quite a bit.
Managing stress, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption all contribute to reducing inflammaging.
To fight inflammaging from within, the Antü Skin Barrier Support M3 Supplement can fortify your gut and skin barriers and increase your natural moisturising factor.
When it comes to topical skincare, the Codex M3-antioxidant superhero Antü skin barrier serum is a bonafide secret weapon for combating inflammaging. It is a unique blend of three plants indigenous to Patagonia - Matico, Maqui and Murtilla - which work in synergy to neutralise free radicals.
The patented ANTUCOMPLEX® addresses oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in skin. It’s based on the M3-antioxidant and a humectant like glycerin or hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to effectively reduce oxidative stress and collagen degradation.
Third-party clinical testing has also demonstrated the ability of ANTUCOMPLEX® to provide a physical shield against external free radicals by blocking them from contacting the skin, as well as delivering radical-scavenging M3-antioxidant to deeper skin layers (dermis) to rebuild collagen.
It is also proven to increase micro-circulation (goodbye redness!), fortify the skin barrier (goodbye water loss!) and help skin recover from inflammaging.
Find Codex’s anti-inflammaging products HERE, For more information and for results- driven products, visit https://codexlabs.co/en-ie
