Is Anti-Inflammatory Skincare the Next Big Beauty Trend?

What Is Inflammation of the Skin?

Do you suffer from inflammation of the skin? Well, you are not alone. Many of us experience signs of inflammation, such as red patches, primarily rashes, swelling, breakouts, and even blisters or abscesses. This could be for a number of reasons, such as what ingredients are present in your regular skincare routine products, or simply down to not having a good regime in place. However, many see inflammation more often after cleansing. 

In recent years, we skin experts have seen a huge rise in conversations surrounding the topic of inflammation, or ‘Skinflammation’, if you will. So, how can we beat it and what anti-inflammatory ingredients should we be looking for in our skincare as we go into the new year?

Anti-inflammatory skincare will contain ingredients that actively prevent or inhibit inflammation of the skin. Ingredients that you should be looking out for are: 

Aloe Vera

You’re probably familiar with this ingredient if you have a dry to normal skin type. This is because aloe vera has natural hydrating properties that soften and smooth the skin. However, did you know that this natural ingredient also comes with very powerful anti-inflammatory elements as well?
With it’s cocktail of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, aloe vera can promote the healing of the skin as well as cool down any patches of inflammation you may experience. 

Oat Extract

Next up on the list, we have oat extract which, as well as making waves in the milk-alternative arena, has also become a fan favourite for preventing skin inflammation. Much like aloe vera, oat extract has natural properties which aid the skin in healing.

Chamomile

We know that drinking chamomile in a cup of tea has a long list of benefits for our health and wellbeing, but what can it do for our skin? Well, as we know, many people tend to enjoy a hot cup of chamomile tea right before bed due to its calming properties, so what if we told you that the skin could also benefit from it in the same way?
Inflammation occurs when the skin becomes inflamed and irritated. Chamomile’s calming properties soothe the skin, much like a cup of tea would when we’re feeling agitated. If you suffer from eczema, rosacea, psoriasis or any other long-term skin conditions, chamomile will also come recommended. 

Green Tea

Did you know that green tea is also part of the anti-inflammatory family? That’s right - green tea can help people with acne-prone skin, which is also related to inflammation. Green tea contains polyphenols, which are plant compounds. These have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant elements which calm angered skin. 

Ceramides

Ceramides are another great ingredient to look out for! If you didn’t already know, ceramides are fatty lipids that can be found between your skin cells. They work together to keep the skin barrier structure held together. For some people, their skin inflammation could come from their skin barrier being compromised, which can mean they experience redness, dryness, itchiness or cracking of the skin. That’s why we recommend looking for skincare products which have ceramides in the formula. Give your skin that extra boost it needs to help it stay healthy, hydrated and inflammation-free!

What Products We Recommend to Prevent Skin Inflammation

Inflammation can be a tricky skin concern to prevent. You need products which are both kind to your sensitive skin, but that will also allow your complexion to look and feel the best it can. Here at Skinstation, we believe that gentle skincare ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea extract, azelaic acid and niacinamide are great for soothing and nourishing inflamed skin, as well as helping to reduce irritation and create a softer, more even skin tone.

With that in mind, we suggest that you give the Obagi Anti-inflammatory Kit a try! Expertly formulated with inflammation sufferers in mind, this kit prioritises maintaining a healthy skin barrier in just three simple steps. The Obagi Nu-Derm Fx Gentle Cleanser, the Obagi Hydrate, and the Obagi Sun Shield Tint SPF 50 work in harmony to cleanse, moisturise and protect your skin so that it can rediscover it’s balance and restore it’s healthy glow.

To use, simply: 

1. Start with the Nu-Derm Fx Gentle Cleanser, which you will gently massage into damp skin. For the best results, use a small amount and rinse with lukewarm water.

2. After you’ve pat dry with a clean cloth, move onto the hydrating step. Obagi Hydrate is ideal if you experience dry or flaky skin as it provides the optimal levels of relief and comfort with 8 hours of clinically proven hydration. . 

3. Finally, apply Obagi Sun Shield Tint SPF 50 liberally to the face and neck. We always recommend that you do this 15 minutes before sun exposure as this gives the product time to sink into the skin.