Inflammaging : Beyond Wrinkles

As we age, our bodies—and our skin—experience chronic inflammatory drift known as inflammaging. Unlike the short-lived redness of a cut or sunburn, inflammaging is a persistent, low-grade inflammatory state that accelerates signs of aging without any overt injury or infection. Over time, this silent fire degrades collagen and elastin fibers, disrupts the skin barrier, and deepens fine lines, leaving skin drier, less supple, and more prone to irritation

In our opinion, this combination offers a holistic strategy to slow skin aging by targeting both the “source” and the “conseque”.

What Is Inflammaging?

A chronic, sterile, low-grade inflammation that develops with advanced age in the absence of infection.

Key Drivers:

  • Aged cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and matrix-degrading enzymes (MMPs) that damage surrounding tissue PMC.

  • Oxidative Stress, accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger NF-κB signaling and further cytokine production, compounding tissue damage.

What inflammaging means for skin

The following are some of the primary alterations that inflammation may cause:

  • Dehydration: Hydrating the skin is the primary function of the natural hyaluronic acid in our bodies. However, when aging is brought on by stress, the skin gets dry and wrinkles and fine lines show.

  • Fibroblast Damage: Fibroblasts are the skin cells that make elastin and collagen.

  • Wrinkles: As skin becomes less plump, wrinkles and lines start to appear.

Traditional anti-aging treatments focus on wrinkles and loss of firmness, but without suppressing the underlying inflammation, these interventions only affect the “symptoms”. By addressing inflammation directly, formulations can;

  1. Preserve Collagen & Elastin: Inhibit MMP activity and support new matrix synthesis.

  2. Strengthen the Barrier: Reduce transepidermal water loss and environmental sensitivity.

  3. Calm Redness & Irritation

Nature’s Inflammation Soother: CalmActive OAT

CalmActive Oat harnesses Avena sativa’s bioactives to defuse skin’s inflammatory alarms:

  • Avenanthramides: Unique polyphenols that inhibit NF-κB activation in keratinocytes and macrophages, reducing IL-6 and TNF-α release ScienceDirectNature ,PMC.

  • Beta-Glucans: Prebiotic polysaccharides that enhance barrier repair and support a balanced microbiome.

  • Oat Extract: Literature shown to decrease COX-2 expression and oxidative stress markers. PMC.

Result: A rapid reduction in redness, itch, and sensitivity—laying the groundwork for true anti-aging benefits.

Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides: Repair & Reinforce

Hydrolyzed collagen delivers low-molecular-weight peptides that both anti-inflammation and rebuild the dermal matrix:

  • Anti-Inflammatory Response: In LPS-stimulated fibroblasts and keratinocytes, collagen peptides suppress pro-inflammatory mediators and iNOS/COX-2 expression PubMed.

  • Stimulates fibroblast proliferation, accelerating extracellular matrix renewal PubMed.

  • Antioxidant Support: Histidine-rich peptides scavenge ROS, protecting cells from oxidative damage and preventing NF-κB overactivation MDPI.

Result: Firmer, plumper skin with a restored moisture barrier and fewer aging signs.

By targeting the root causes of skin inflammaging—chronic cytokine elevation, oxidative stress, and matrix degradation—CalmActive Oat and hydrolyzed collagen peptides offer a holistic, science-backed approach to graceful aging. Ready to soothe the flames and rebuild skin’s foundation?

References:

  1. Role of SASP and NF-κB in skin aging PMC

  2. Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of avenanthramides ScienceDirectNature

  3. Hydrolyzed collagen’s suppression of LPS-induced inflammation and induction of TGF-β/VEGF PubMed

  4. Antioxidant properties of collagen peptides MDPI

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