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Curb Inflammation for Smooth Skin

I’m a huge skincare dork. So much so that I actually read books written by dermatologists. It’s only fair that I share what I’ve learned with you.

Today’s lesson: curbing skin inflammation.

Why inflammation is scary
In Wrinkle Free Forever by Dr. Howard Murad (St. Martin’s Griffin: 2004), dermatologist Howard Murad talks about the damage caused by inflammation. Examples of skin inflammation include: acne, allergies, dermatitis, flushing, hives, and the symptoms associated with skin conditions like Rosacea and Psoriasis. Inflammation is a sign that the body is attempting to protect itself from trauma. Over time, this protection backfires, creating an excessive amount of free radicals and leading to water loss in the skin cells (and eventually, loss of elasticity, wrinkles and uneven skin tone). Murad says that antioxidants that double as anti-inflammatories can help halt this process. He suggests that polyphenols (plant-derived antioxidants) are especially beneficial.

The power of polyphenols
Powerful sources of polyphenols include green tea, white tea, grape seed extract, olive oil, dark chocolate and pomegranate. Here’s how they work:

Grape seed extract: Free radical scavengers that strengthen and repair damaged cells with flavanoids. Also a rich source of Essential Fatty Acids.

Green tea: Calms and visible and internal signs of inflammation.

Pomegranate: Reinforces the skin’s structural fibers and boots sun protection.

Other inflammation-reducing ingredients to look for:

• Arnica
• Licorice
• Aloe Vera
• Curcumin
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Panthenol
• Allantoin
• Zinc

xx

Kezia

image by Porcelaingirl° {enthusiastic foolish}

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