This Surprising Daily Habit May Reduce Your Risk Of Inflammatory Conditions

We know through robust research that internal inflammation wreaks havoc on the body, and can lead to a myriad of issues such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and cognitive decline. This is why managing inflammation is one of the most important pillars of longevity and overall health.

The good news is that there are many ways to support your body so that it's not overwhelmed by inflammation. To start, eat a balanced diet full of fiber, antioxidants, proteins, and healthy fats while avoiding overly processed foods and excess refined sugars. 

Sleep and stress management are other key components, as both can help regulate the body's internal inflammation—or on the flip side, send the body into inflammation overload when stressed out1 or skimping out on the REM cycle2. 

A preliminary study looked at the effects of applying a barrier repair cream on not only skin health but internal health as well. Previous research had been done on mice, showing that barrier dysfunction led to increased levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. And the researchers wanted to see if the effects would hold in a human study.

The researchers asked one group of participants to apply a barrier repair emollient twice daily for 30 days—and then measured epidermal function as well as levels of three key age-related plasma cytokines. The other two groups served as controls. 

Those who applied the cream not only experienced improved skin hydration but neutralized or greatly reduced levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. Most notably, TNFα levels declined substantially—and an excess amount of TNFα has been linked to autoimmune conditions3.

While more research is needed to understand this connection, the finding does fit into our broader understanding of inflammation in the body. First, we know that inflammation in one organ can spread and trigger inflammation in other organs, creating a ripple effect. 

We also know that inflammation is a function of the immune system4. And the skin is one of our most important immune system organs5—so if the skin is experiencing stress, it may trigger an inflammatory response in the body as part of that immune process. 

So, yes, a strong skin barrier is an important part of your overall health. Caring for skin isn't vain or superficial—it's health care.