These sneaky factors we’re exposed to daily can make your skin age prematurely – find out what they are

Appeasing sensitive skin can be a real challenge, with its constant battle against redness, irritation, and reactivity. But what if we told you that another often-overlooked enemy lurks just beneath the surface?

It’s time you got acquainted with “inflamm’ageing,” the hidden culprit behind premature ageing in both sensitive and sensitised skin.

Ahead, we’ll share a little more about the differences between sensitive and sensitised skin before diving deep into the phenomenon of “inflamma’geing”. Stick around, because we’ll be unveiling a simple solution that prevents premature skin ageing.

The difference between sensitive and sensitised skin

Ever wondered why your skin sometimes throws a fit, turning red and irritable at the drop of a hat? Well, it’s a bit of a skin drama, really. Sensitive skin can be a result of your genetic makeup, where your nerve fibres tend to throw a bit of a tantrum when faced with everyday irritants.

However, it’s not just a genetic few who get to experience this complexion soap opera. Nope, anyone’s skin can join the sensitivity party.

Factors like your lifestyle choices, the environment, and harsh ingredients in your skincare products can intermingle. Alarmingly high percentages of acids paired with certain ingredients that don’t agree with your skin can certainly result in sensitised skin.

After all, when it comes to skincare, the higher the percentage of an active ingredient doesn’t promise more efficacious results. It could be time to pare back on your chemical exfoliators to ensure your skin stays on the path to radiance, not redness.

What is “inflamm’ageing”?

You’re likely familiar with the concept of inflammation, perhaps in the context of overall bodily health, but the term has now made its way into the beauty realm.

Our skin is a shield between us and the world, and it has its own nemesis trio: oxidative stress, a finicky barrier, and the obvious troublemaker – inflammation.

These three form a gang that loves to cause chaos, especially when exposed to environmental troublemakers like unsuitable cosmetics, pollution, relentless UV rays, and even the stress of modern life.

They set the stage for chronic inflammation, which isn’t great news for your skin’s youthful glow. Now, inflammation itself isn’t the bad guy. It’s actually your body’s natural response to threats like viruses or injuries. It rushes in, saves the day, and gets things back to normal.

But here’s where things get a little more complicated. When your skin is overwhelmed by chronic inflammation, your body’s superhero mode doesn’t switch off. It’s like an endless loop of assaults, and your skin can’t catch a break.

This constant turmoil doesn’t just affect your skin’s balance; it’s also the culprit behind what we call “inflamm’ageing”.

The sneaky factors that make your skin age prematurely

Inflamm’ageing is like the sneakiest saboteur, wreaking havoc deep within your skin’s foundation. Its nefarious deeds lead to unwelcome transformations, like accelerated ageing, the emergence of wrinkles, and a vulnerable skin barrier.

While it’s true that some skin changes are just a part of the natural ageing journey – like the gradual reduction of collagen – inflammation kicks things into high gear, making these changes more pronounced.

Let’s take a look at the top culprits that set off inflamm’ageing:

• Unsuitable cosmetics: Cosmetics that contain harsh chemicals or fragrances that the skin is sensitive or allergic to can lead to chronic inflammation. These products can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.
• UV rays: Prolonged and unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a major contributor to inflamm’ageing. UV rays can damage the DNA in skin cells, trigger oxidative stress, and induce inflammation.
• Stress: Chronic stress, whether it’s due to work, personal life, or other factors, can take a toll on the skin. Stress activates the body’s stress response, releasing hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to inflammation.
• Environmental aggressors: Pesky pollutants in the air can set off oxidative stress and break down collagen, causing the skin to age prematurely.
• Diet: A poor diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can promote inflammation in the body, including the skin. Conversely, a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients can help combat inflammation and support skin health.

How to stop inflamm’ageing in its tracks

Now that we’ve uncovered the covert operation known as inflamm’ageing, it’s time to reveal the ultimate weapon in your skincare arsenal: Bioderma’s Sensibio Defensive Serum. This powerhouse serum is here to soothe your skin and safeguard it from inflamm’ageing.

It’s a triple threat

The genius behind this serum is Defensive Technology, which tackles both the symptoms and root causes of sensitive skin.

Its triple action boosts your skin’s defences against external aggressors that love to wreak havoc, putting sensitive skin at ease while helping it regain its natural resilience, no matter what’s been causing the sensitivity.

It provides antioxidant protection

Meet the dynamic duo, carnosine and vitamin E. These two biomimetic ingredients are like the body’s natural shields against free radicals.

They’re the knights in shining armour, working tirelessly to rebuild your skin’s antioxidant defences, keeping it safe from unruly free radicals that promote ageing.

It strengthens the skin barrier

Think of tetrapeptide-10 as your skin’s personal guardian. It’s like the chief of security, rallying the proteins and enzymes needed to protect your precious epidermis. With its help, your skin is well-equipped to fend off the aggressors responsible for premature ageing.

It offers double the soothing action

Red sage polyphenols are like peacekeepers, keeping your skin’s inflammation in check, especially from pollution’s relentless attacks. They also have a knack for taming those hyperactive nerve fibres that love to stir up trouble.

The formula also packs an extra punch with fucose polymer (a.k.a. Biosaccharide-Gum-1), a multitasking ingredient that not only strengthens your skin’s barrier, but also kicks inflammation to the curb.

It delivers instant and lasting hydration

When paired with glycerine, a skin-friendly ingredient that’s already present in your skin, fucose polymer delivers instant and lasting hydration for the skin – up to 24 hours, to be exact!

Plus, there’s the trusty sidekick, hyaluronic acid, ready to work its magic. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, ensuring your skin stays well-hydrated and plump.

How the Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Serum feels on the skin

As someone with both sensitive and sensitised skin, my quest for the perfect skincare routine has its fair share of trials and tribulations.

A previous encounter with a rather potent vitamin C serum left my skin in disarray, breaking out in all the wrong places after a few days. That’s when Bioderma’s Sensibio Defensive Serum swooped in like a skincare superhero.

This serum boasts a lightweight yet nourishing texture that effortlessly sinks into my skin. The oil-in-water emulsion is a blessing for those of us with sensitive skin and noses, as it comes with absolutely no fragrance.

After just one application, my skin felt less tight and looked less angry. My skin drank it up eagerly without leaving a trace of greasiness or stickiness. Perhaps the best part? There was no waiting around for it to absorb; it was like a fast pass to hydration.

What impressed me even more was its compatibility with other products. Layering on the Bioderma Sensibio Defensive cream (tap on the link for the full review) after posed no issues – no pesky pilling to ruin the skincare party.

It even served as the perfect canvas for makeup, effortlessly prepping my skin for a flawless finish. This serum was a breath of fresh air for my sensitive complexion, and it’s become an essential part of my daily skincare routine.

Besides its excellent soothing properties, I heard the serum is proven to reduce the impact of skin sensitivity by 21% after four weeks. Not only that, but 84% of reviewers reported a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles in just 28 days. That definitely encouraged me to keep using it in order to reap its full benefits!

If you’re ready to tackle inflamm’ageing head-on, pick up a Bioderma Sensibio Anti-inflammation & Anti-ageing Sampling Kit from Shopee or Lazada and try the serum for yourself!

Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Serum retails for S$72.20 at Guardian’s e-store and retail stores, LazMall, and Shopee Mall.

This article is brought to you by Bioderma.

Featured image credit: @dr.anatalia.moore/TikTok (left)