Inflammation can refer to an injured area of skin, but it is more often used as a medical term to refer to the immune system’s response to something it perceives as dangerous. The chemicals that cause this response are called prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These chemicals attract white blood cells to the area, causing redness, swelling, warmth, and, in some cases, pain.
Inflammation on the face is usually characterized by redness, puffy eyes and acne breakouts. It’s important to treat these symptoms immediately with anti-inflammatory products in order to prevent further problems. A good night’s sleep, drinking enough water, and a regular intake of supplements will also help reduce facial inflammation by keeping you hydrated and giving your immune and nervous system a boost.
- Use A Gentle Face Cleanser
When you wash your face, it’s important to use a product that’s free of harsh chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can strip the skin’s natural oils and irritate inflamed areas. SLS is found in many products that foam up when you rub them into your skin. Common examples include body washes, shampoos, facial cleansers and toothpastes. A good way to make sure products don’t contain SLS is to look for products with labels like ‘organic’, ‘natural’, and ‘made from plants and minerals’.
- Use An Eye Cream For Puffy Eyes
One of the most noticeable symptoms of inflammation on your face is puffy eyes. Applying an eye cream for puffiness and helps relieve this symptom and also prevent dark circles under your eyes by encouraging blood flow to the area and preventing fluid buildup. There are plenty of anti-puffiness creams on the market, you just need to find one that works for you.
- Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating is important because it removes dead skin cells which could clogging pores and cause pimples. Exfoliation also stimulates new cell production which promotes collagen production, which is especially important as we age (collagen is what gives your skin volume, firmness, and elasticity). When picking an exfoliator, make sure it doesn’t contain SLS or harsh chemicals. You can also make your own exfoliating scrub by mixing sugar, honey, olive oil, and even essential oils with fragrances like lavender, lemon or orange.
- Apply A Soothing Face Mask To Your Face Once Or Twice A Week
It is important to give your skin some extra TLC when dealing with inflammation on the face. Using a glycolic acid facial mask once or twice per week will help reduce redness due to its ability to break down the bonds in the ‘glue’ which holds dead cells together. Just make sure you don’t use this product too often, as it could cause over-exfoliation and damage your skin.
- Drink Turmeric Tea Once Or Twice Per Day
Turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids, which are not only great at fighting inflammation but also at keeping your brain cells healthy (and therefore improve memory loss). It also gives your immune system a boost, which can make you less likely to catch a cold.
To make turmeric tea, simply boil water then add one or two teaspoons of dried ground turmeric into the cup. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes for the full infusion to occur before drinking.
- Quit Smoking
Smoking can be very harmful for your skin because it causes dryness, accelerates aging, and increases the risk of inflammation in the body, particularly on the face. If you’re trying to quit or have already done so, just remember that it takes about two weeks for your skin to recover from the damage associated with smoking.
- Get Some Sun
Sun exposure is actually an effective treatment for psoriasis (especially when combined with other treatments like oatmeal baths and moisturizing creams) because it helps reduce redness in the inflamed areas. Just make sure you don’t stay out in the sun too long; wear sunscreen and limit your time in direct sunlight to prevent further irritation (and yes, this means no tanning ).
- Use Natural Remedies
Plant extracts like aloe vera, feverfew and calendula are excellent at fighting inflammation on the face or anywhere else on the body. They also help speed up tissue recovery, so if you have cuts or bruises, using herbal cream or ointment is a much better option than using chemical-based products.
Conclusion
Inflammation is a normal response from your immune system when it detects an infection or irritation in the body. However, if inflammation becomes chronic due to stress, smoking, alcohol consumption and unhealthy eating habits, it can lead to a number of complications.
If you have been experiencing frequent outbreaks of pimples and bouts of swelling on your face, then you definitely want to start taking steps towards combating the triggers that are setting off this response. You’d be surprised at how effective natural remedies are at fighting off those uncomfortable issues!