Redness, swelling, and irritation – oh my! If you’re dealing with any of these skin concerns, you’re most likely dealing with skin inflammation. While there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to why you might be experiencing inflammation, there are an abundance of great natural ingredients out there that can help you prevent or downright treat inflamed skin.
Eager to learn more? We got you covered.
Unfortunately, there are a ton of ingredients out there that can cause inflammation of our skin. That’s why it can be so hard to narrow down what exactly is causing our inflammation if we’re experiencing it. In general, you want to stay away from any abrasive or harmful ingredients that can irritate your skin, such as harsh exfoliators or fragrances. In terms of what we’re putting inside of our body instead of outside, you’ll want to avoid eating too many inflammatory foods, such as:
Skin inflammation comes in two main forms: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation is a fast response from our immune system when it recognizes something wrong and usually lasts only a few days to six weeks, ending in healing or turning chronic. Chronic inflammation has a slower onset and can last months to years. Since this form of inflammation can last so long, it can have damaging results on our bodies’ skin tissue.
Chronic inflammation can often be a warning sign from our immune system that a skin condition like eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis has been introduced to our body. However, that’s not all. With chronic inflammation comes premature aging. How? Let’s break it down.
Premature aging occurs because chronic inflammation of the skin eventually leads to a breakdown in collagen if it’s not treated. Collagen is the number one protein responsible for your skin’s strength and structure, so a decrease in collagen can be detrimental to your skin’s health which in turn affects its appearance.
Discovering the root cause of your inflammation can mean paying attention to everything from your diet to the weather. In other words, if you experience inflammation, try to take note of what you did differently that may be causing it.
Of course, it could also be the skincare products you’re already using, which is why we always say it’s important to ditch the fragrances. Instead, you’ll want to opt for soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers that will protect your skin barrier.
There are plenty of natural products that have ingredients scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. This includes products with chamomile, green tea, licorice, and aloe vera. However, there are 5 specific ingredients that we want to highlight that you need to try out if you want to fight your inflammation head-on.
Curcumin, a.k.a. the active ingredient in turmeric that gives it its distinctive golden color and countless health benefits, is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory agents you can find. The therapeutic benefits of curcumin make it a fantastic healing option for people dealing with inflammatory diseases since the antioxidants in turmeric can also slow down cell damage in addition to reducing inflammation.
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties also make it a perfect topical treatment for:
Found in willow bark, most often from white willow trees, salicin has been used as an anti-inflammatory ingredient since… well… forever. In fact, combating inflammation is where willow bark really comes in handy and can seriously help people with a number of skin conditions that have inflammation at the root, such as:
In terms of calming redness, willow bark really shines in this area too. Willow bark extract works as a topical anti-inflammatory to soothe the skin, reduce redness, and reduce swelling of acne.
Since willow bark calms redness, many skin-thusiasts choose to use the ingredient to target their rosacea. If you didn’t know already, salicin is an astringent, just like calamine lotion and witch hazel, meaning it contracts skin cells and relieves inflammation.
CBD is a natural and potent anti-inflammatory that has been shown to calm skin, reduce redness, and reduce swelling, making it a top choice for people with sensitive skin. Not only that, but CBD can also help address common skin conditions or concerns like under eye dark circles, eczema, and rosacea.
Especially if you want to stray away from pharmaceutical medication or are looking for a more natural skincare ritual, CBD is a great ingredient to look for since studies have shown that CBD can be a top-notch treatment for acne thanks to its effective anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to prevent excess sebum production. Bye-bye, oily skin!
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Studies have shown that celery juice has incredible anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can help reduce visible puffiness and redness from acne, reduce bloating, and reduce joint pain. Overall, the celery plant and its seeds provide our bodies with a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants making it highly beneficial for those who suffer from autoimmune conditions or experience inflammation-related skin concerns.
How does it do it? Well, celery juice is high in various plant compounds called phytonutrients, which have been shown to reduce inflammation. The more you know, right?
Oats are one of the best anti-inflammatory ingredients out there for our skin! In general, oats are very gentle, so they’re great if you’re looking for a soothing scrub when exfoliating. Not all scrubs are created equal – some are way more abrasive than others, but oats aren’t at all abrasive or harsh on the skin. Not to mention, their anti-inflammatory compounds are a huge bonus making it a great choice for sensitive skin. Plus, oats can reduce inflammation in our bodies associated with chronic diseases.
While it can be difficult to figure out what’s causing your inflammation, hopefully, these tips can help you find the culprit and treat it accordingly. However, it’s important to not try too many of these solutions at once. The more products or ingredients you put on your face, the more likely it is that you can make your inflammation worse. Instead, spot-test the ingredients we listed one by one until you find what works best for your skin mood!
Written by Selena Ponton
