When most people hear the word inflammation (in reference to the skin) they think of a breakout, a rash, visible redness or swelling.
But there's a subtler kind.
It's called "inflammaging," and it describes the low-grade, chronic inflammation that builds up in the body over time.
It's largely driven by diet, stress, poor sleep, and blood sugar swings, not just injury or illness.
This chronic inflammatory state accelerates collagen breakdown and shows up as dullness, sensitivity, and faster visible aging.
Diets higher in refined sugar and saturated fat are consistently linked to higher inflammatory markers (specific substances measured with blood tests); diets rich in produce, healthy fats, and fiber are linked to lower ones.
Research on inflammaging describes it as intensifying with age and shaped heavily by diet and lifestyle. The dietary habits linked to lower inflammation aren't restrictive, they're just consistently plant-forward.
This is also where skincare and nutrition genuinely overlap: a compromised, inflamed system makes it harder for your topical actives to do their job, no matter how good your routine is. It’s like swimming upstream. A lot of work, little reward.
A simple starting point: think about what you're adding, not just cutting. Crowding the plate with color and fiber will do more long-term than eliminating any single "bad" food.
Next week: your gut, and why it's in constant conversation with your skin.
