Inflammation and why reducing it is important for skin health
What Actually is Inflammation?
The skin is not always the first area that comes to mind when we think of inflammation. Our brains tend go to memories of a sprained ankle as a child, or perhaps pain in our joints as we start to get older. But for some people, inflamed skin can be a big area of concern, and is often a chronic issue which can be both painful and expensive to manage.
Generally speaking, inflammation is part of our body’s immune response to an irritant or injury, and is characterised by redness, heat and swelling. On a cellular level within our skin, inflammation involves the release of chemical messengers to initiate healing. In our epithelial cells these are called keratinocytes, which release pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mast cells, which release histamine. These chemical messengers cause our blood vessels to dilate, bringing more blood to the area which presents as visible inflammation in the skin.
Inflammation can present for several reasons and be either acute or chronic in nature. Examples of acute inflammation include sunburn or pimples, which present for between 2-10 days then resolve on their own.
Meanwhile, chronic inflammation can be more sinister, and this kind of inflammation is what we want to try and avoid, as it can put the skin under long term stress and prevent the synthesis of collagen and elastin. Symptoms of chronic inflammation are usually the ones which cause us some distress and feel as if they just won’t go away, despite our best efforts.
Symptoms and Causes of Inflammation in the Skin
So, what does inflammation actually look like in the skin? Well, the key defining symptoms to look out for include:
- Redness
- Heat
- Swelling
- Itching
- Pain
A damaged skin barrier or acid mantle
Too frequent use of strong or stripping products such as chemical exfoliants and retinoids can weaken the skin’s protective barrier and leave it open to environmental irritants which cause inflammation, dryness, and pain.
Allergies or food intolerances
The skin is our largest detoxification organ. When we have dysbiosis, intestinal permeability or intolerances to certain food groups, our digestive system can cause inflammation which often presents in the skin.
Colonisation of bacteria
Certain bacterial pathogens thrive in oil rich environments and damage the skin’s protective barrier. When we have an overgrowth of bacteria, the skin can get inflamed and congested.
Chronic stress levels
Stress causes our body to release cortisol, which stimulates sebaceous (oil) gland activity as well as triggering mast cell activity, leading to the release of histamine. Which is why you may experience break outs or itchy skin when stressed.
It’s common to see inflammation in skin conditions such as:
- Acne – where overactive sebaceous glands and colonisation of bacteria causes clogged pores and an impaired skin barrier.
- Rosacea – which is a chronic, overactive immune response causing vasodilation of capillaries, presenting with red, hot skin, particularly on the cheeks.
- Eczema – a chronic inflammatory condition caused by genetics and/or environmental irritants, characterised by dry, flaky, itchy skin.
- Psoriasis – an autoimmune condition, characterised by hard, red, itchy patches on the skin which are caused by rapid skin cell turn over.
Reducing Inflammation in the Skin
The good news is, there are a number of things we can do to help reduce inflammation in our skin. This requires looking at the body holistically and treating both internal and external factors.
Topically
Avoid harsh products which strip the skin of natural oils and damage the skin barrier in favour of nourishing, antioxidant rich products such as Biologi’s Bc Refresh Cleanser to remove make up each day and Bf Restore Face & Body Serum to protect from free radical damage and support tone and texture.
Diet & lifestyle
Fuelling our skin from within is just as important as topical products. Be sure to eat a balanced diet, rich in whole foods and skin supporting nutrients such as omega 3 and 6, vitamin K, vitamin A, B vitamins and zinc. Avoid highly processed foods such as sugar, refined carbohydrates and excessive alcohol and ensure adequate water intake to assist detoxification and elimination pathways.
Lifestyle
Where possible, manage stress levels to prevent elevated cortisol. Aim for 7-8 hours of regenerative sleep each night to help support our body’s natural healing process and reduce inflammation through new cell regeneration. While hard in sunny Australia, its best to avoid extended UV exposure as we don’t want any skin cells in trauma (hello inflammation!).
It is important to remember that our skin is our biggest organ, and outermost protective layer. Reducing inflammation is an essential component of optimising skin health and should be a key element of our daily skincare and wellness routine.
