Causes of Skin Inflammation as We Age 

Skin inflammation is a result of the immune system responding to stimuli or triggers in our environment, serving as a defense mechanism to protect the body against injury, infection, or cancer. There are two types of skin inflammation: acute and chronic.

Acute Inflammation

Acute inflammation is your body’s immediate response to a physiological insult such as infection, trauma, stress – anything that disrupts your immune system. The body expresses inflammation by tissue swelling, warmth, pain, or redness as well as systemic symptoms that include fever, aches, and fatigue. Acute inflammatory symptoms minimize after several days and eventually normalize.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation implies long-standing inflammation often caused by underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorders or chronic infections. Chronic inflammation can be worsened by environmental stressors or unhealthy lifestyle habits. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at managing the inflammatory response.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is common as we age because our bodies and cells are less efficient at regulating this process. Mild low-grade chronic inflammation, such as rosacea or undetectable sun damage often causes skin dryness, dullness, uneven tone, texture, loss of elasticity, or fine lines and wrinkles.

Inflammation & Skin Aging

Excessive or persistent inflammation can damage local tissue and accelerate the skin’s aging process. According to Dr. Zenovia, Inflammation results from an increase in free radicals that subsequently lead to a cascade of downstream cellular effects. The toxic oxygen radicals trigger inflammatory signals that lead to a host of negative cellular responses. In the skin, for example, the inflammatory cascade leads to an increase in hyaluronidase production, the enzyme responsible for breaking down hyaluronic acid (HA). This HA is crucial to skin thickness and dermal health. Fibroblasts, collagen-producing cells, are also affected by inflammation- becoming damaged and producing less collagen. This causes the skin to lose its firmness and elasticity.

High blood sugar and a poor diet can lead to a process called glycation. This process leads to protein malfunction in the cells and disrupts normal cell function. In effect, if your body is inflamed and can’t handle the level of inflammation there will be consequences at the cellular and tissue level – this is what we see and feel. We see the cellular disruption manifested in our physical skin’s appearance. These “symptoms”, such as sagging, wrinkles, and brown spots are all manifestations of cellular disruption and inflammation.

Inflam-Aging

The term “inflam-aging” describes the subtle chronic inflammation that exists without our knowledge. The deep, cellular inflammatory process that we can’t feel or see is happening all over our body by daily stressors, insults, genetic mutations, and anything our system must cope with. This low-grade chronic inflammation is marked by oxidative cellular stress-causing our cells to function poorly and inefficiently. This process is coined “inflam-aging” because this inflammation “ages” us. “Inflam-aging” markedly impacts the skin and can lead to a decrease in collagen and elastin, as well as increased pigmentation and dullness. Therefore, antioxidants and other actives that specifically target inflammation in the skin are a new frontier for anti-aging. It’s not just moisturizers, retinols, and hydroxy acids- we need anti-inflammatory support for our skin too!

How to Repair Skin Inflammation

Topical skincare can help reduce and treat skin inflammation. Dr. Zenovia’s Essentials line is a powerful cocktail of medical-grade antioxidants designed to decrease the initiator of inflammation which is the free radical. The line was formulated with carefully chosen ingredients such as resveratrol, phytoestrogens, caffeine, and potent polyphenols that specifically target inflammation. This combination of ingredients helps prevent and correct dehydration, loss of elasticity, and uneven tone. The redundancy and overlap of antioxidant systems in one of the poignant hallmarks of Dr. Zenovia’s skincare line. It is not just a “one-hit wonder” product or ingredient; it is the combination of antioxidants that creates synergy and allows for a secondary method of action, if one antioxidant pathway has been exhausted.

Night Repair Treatment 

One of our bestsellers in the Essentials line, Dr. Zenovia’s Inflam-Aging Night Repair Treatment is clinically formulated to combat the key signs of aging, brighten the complexion, and help improve skin elasticity overnight. Everyone could benefit from this product: acne, aging, young, and old. This powerhouse night repair treatment features a highly potent Triple Antioxidant blend of Green Tea Polyphenols, medical-grade Resveratrol, and Caffeine. Additionally, the proprietary REG-ulate360 Complex™, present in every Dr. Zenovia product, provides a powerful phytoestrogen molecule to support the tissue hormonally. The coupling of hormonal support and mindful chemistry based on the science of the skin at the cellular level is what distinguishes this line. As a result, Dr. Zenovia’s Inflam-Aging Night Repair Treatment is a superior anti-aging product that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while enhancing the look of firm, plump, even-toned skin.

Facial Serum

Facial serums are designed to be highly concentrated formulations that deliver targeted active ingredients to address a specific skin concern. Dr. Zenovia’s Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Serum is an ultra-light moisturizing formula featuring fractionated Hyaluronic Acid and her proprietary REG-ulate 360 Complex™ to provide intense hydration and nourishment while helping to visibly plump skin. The exclusive phytoestrogen technology, known to help support the production of Hyaluronic Acid, collagen, and elastin, delivers antioxidant and anti-aging protection for a supple, dewy, well-nourished, and hydrated complexion. Lastly, to hydrate and protect the skin’s delicate protective barrier, Dr. Zenovia’s Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer contains a unique combination of bio-equivalent ceramides, potent humectants, and emollients that help attract, retain and distribute moisture, combatting dryness for a glowing, radiant complexion.

Dr. Z’s Top Tip: Sleep is one of the most restorative things we can do for our bodies and our skin. It decreases stress, lowers inflammation, and regenerates our cells!

Shop Dr. Zenovia’s Essentials Line