By Kristen Laing-Herbert, Dermal Clinician and Co-Owner of LaGaia UNEDITED & People4ocean

Revisit our Inflammation Edit: How Your Skin Cries for Help →

Nervous System Regulation

Chronic stress depletes your skin’s ability to defend and repair. Try:

• Breathwork, yoga or vagal toning
• Adaptogens (ashwagandha, reishi)
• Good-quality sleep (aim for 90-minute sleep cycles)

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

• Omega-3-rich foods (chia, flax, wild-caught fish)
• Antioxidants (berries, leafy greens, turmeric)
• Minimise inflammatory foods: excess caffeine, alcohol, sugar

Hydration & Microcirculation

• Sip water consistently; avoid diuretics during flare-ups
• Dry body brushing and gua sha promote lymphatic movement—essential for detoxifying inflamed skin

Inflammation is the Skin’s Alarm System—Listen In

When your skin flares, it’s not just reacting—it’s communicating. Inflammation is your skin’s way of saying, “Something’s off.”

The answer isn’t aggressive treatment—it’s curiosity, compassion, and clinical wisdom.

At LaGaia UNEDITED, we formulate for calm, restoration, and deep respect for the skin’s innate intelligence. Our approach bridges clinical science with botanical healing, empowering your skin to heal itself—safely, seasonally, and sustainably.

Need Help Calming Your Skin?

References for further reading

Mechanisms of Inflammation in the Skin

• Nestle, F. O., Di Meglio, P., Qin, J. Z., & Nickoloff, B. J. (2009). “Skin immune sentinels in health and disease.” Nature Reviews Immunology, 9(10), 679–691.

https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2622

• Proksch, E., Brandner, J. M., & Jensen, J. M. (2008). “The skin: an indispensable barrier.” Experimental Dermatology, 17(12), 1063–1072.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00786.x

• Elias, P. M. (2005). “Stratum corneum defensive functions: an integrated view.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 125(2), 183–200.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-202X.2005.23668.x

Clinical Presentation & Diagnostic Markers

• Baumann, L. (2007). “Skin ageing and its treatment.” The Journal of Pathology, 211(2), 241–251.

https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2098

• Darlenski, R., & Fluhr, J. W. (2012). “Influence of climate on skin appearance and structure.” Skin Research and Technology, 18(1), 1–10.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2011.00542.x

• Wilkerson, M. J., et al. (2005). “Cutaneous histopathology of inflammation.” Veterinary Dermatology, 16(3), 182–198.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2005.00445.x

Triggers of Skin Inflammation

• Kligman, A. M. (2000). “The pathogenesis of irritant contact dermatitis.” Archives of Dermatological Research, 292(9), 435–441.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s004030000149

• Luebberding, S., Krueger, N., & Kerscher, M. (2013). “Age-related changes in skin barrier function.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 35(2), 183–190.

https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12027

• Farage, M. A., et al. (2009). “Sensitive skin: lessons from irritant testing.” Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 28(4), 259–266.

https://doi.org/10.3109/15569520903268487

Topical Treatments & Actives

• Pavicic, T., Gauglitz, G. G., Lersch, P., Schwach-Abdellaoui, K., & Blume-Peytavi, U. (2011). “Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations with niacinamide and panthenol.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 10(3), 176–181.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00573.x

• Packer, L., Valacchi, G. (2002). “Antioxidants and the response of skin to oxidative stress.” Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 15(5), 282–290.

https://doi.org/10.1159/000064538

• Rawlings, A. V., & Harding, C. R. (2004). “Moisturization and skin barrier function.” Dermatologic Therapy, 17(1), 43–48.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04004.x

Lifestyle Influences on Inflammation

• Slominski, A. T., et al. (2012). “The skin as an endocrine organ: implications for UV-induced inflammation.” Endocrine Reviews, 33(6), 827–864.

https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2012-1002

• Leung, D. Y. M., & Guttman-Yassky, E. (2014). “Deciphering the complexities of atopic dermatitis.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 134(4), 769–779.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.08.008

• Byrd, A. L., Belkaid, Y., & Segre, J. A. (2018). “The human skin microbiome.” Nature Reviews Microbiology, 16(3), 143–155.

https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2017.157

The Skin–Gut–Mind Axis

• Scharschmidt, T. C., & Fischbach, M. A. (2013). “What lives on our skin: ecology, genomics and therapeutic opportunities of the skin microbiome.” Drug Discovery Today: Disease Mechanisms, 10(3–4), e83–e89.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ddmec.2013.02.003

• Clarke, G., et al. (2014). “The microbiome–gut–brain axis during early life regulates the hippocampal serotonergic system in a sex-dependent manner.” Molecular Psychiatry, 18(6), 666–673.

https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2013.50