As someone dealing with rosacea, which gives me irritation and redness, anti-inflammatory ingredients are at the center of my daily skincare routine. I always look for these ingredients in the products I use because they help calm my skin and soothe redness fast.
But they’re also exceptionally helpful when your skin requires an extra hand to recover from over-exfoliation or damaged skin barrier. So if you want to know what they are and how they can benefit your skin, keep reading for the best anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Best Anti-Inflammatory Skincare Ingredients
1. Vitamin C
We all know that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has anti-aging, skin-brightening, and collagen-producing benefits. But vitamin C is also an amazing anti-inflammatory ingredient. It neutralizes free radicals caused by sun exposure and prevents and reduces inflammation and redness. It works especially great for reducing redness on rosacea skin.
2. Green Tea
Green tea owes its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to certain compounds it possesses. These are called polyphenols. When applied to the skin, green tea soothes the skin and reduces redness and irritation.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has no mystery attached to it. You can watch it in action when you apply the gel from your aloe vera plant. Aloe vera forms a very thin layer on the skin, which increases moisture. But because it’s packed with compounds like vitamins and minerals, it’s also an effective skincare ingredient to calm inflammation and irritation.
4. Oatmeal
One way or another, we’ve all heard that oatmeal is the antidote for red, dry, and itchy skin. Just like green tea, oatmeal is rich in polyphenols, which makes it super helpful in calming skin and reducing redness.
5. Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica, sometimes referred to as gotu kola, Cica, or tiger grass, is a potent antioxidant with major anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s usually formulated into barrier creams and soothing serums.
6. Chamomile
If you’re like me and dealing with rosacea, then you’re already familiar with this ingredient. Chamomile has antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and soothing benefits.
7. Calendula
Though calendula extract is sometimes added to skincare products for its color or smell, it also comes as a stand-alone ingredient in many soothing, calming, and skin-softening products.
8. Licorice
Licorice extract is commonly formulated into skincare products to brighten skin and reduce dark spots. But licorice extract is equally calming for the skin. Because of this, it’s usually paired with similar soothing plant-derived ingredients such as oatmeal, green tea, and aloe in products made for people with sensitive skin.
9. Cucumber
This one needs no introduction as we’re all familiar with cucumber’s skin-soothing effects. Cucumber reduces redness from irritation. Plus, it helps reduce puffiness.
10. Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is widely used in skincare to even out skin tone and brighten skin. But niacinamide also helps repair the skin barrier. So if you’ve over-exfoliated, damaged your skin barrier, or are experiencing very dry skin, try niacinamide creams to calm skin and support the skin barrier.
11. Panthenol
And lastly, panthenol is such a versatile skincare ingredient that it alone is enough to reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation. It’s also called vitamin B5 and it’s a humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin, helping it stay hydrated. So when your skin is parched and red, panthenol is something that’ll help with both!
Best Anti-Inflammatory Skincare Products
Products with anti-inflammatory ingredients can help you quickly manage redness and irritation. From serums to creams, find below some of the most effective anti-inflammatory skincare products.
1. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
This is the first thing I put on my skin when it’s winter and my skin is extra dry from the cold and the wind. It’s also what I use when my skin barrier is damaged and I have rosacea flare-ups. It’s made with panthenol as well as Centella Asiatica. And it’s a rich cream made with shea butter to keep the skin soft and moisturized. Trust me, it works very fast to calm inflammation.
Key Ingredients: Madecassoside, vitamin B5
Skin Type: All, especially dry, sensitive
Size: 1.3 oz/40 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic
2. Glossier Super Glow Vitamin C + Magnesium Serum
This one is a vitamin C serum to boost radiance. But it’s specially formulated for sensitive skin types and made with a stable, non-irritating form of vitamin C. Its alcohol-free, fragrance-free formulation is perfect for caring for the skin without irritating it. Plus, it has sunflower seed oil, which is super replenishing for the skin. It comes in handy to help repair the damaged skin barrier, which is common on inflamed skin.
Key Ingredients: Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
Skin Type: All
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free
3. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
An incredibly gentle formula, this toner is going to make all the difference in your skin. Apply it as the first step in your routine after you clean your face. It’ll eliminate redness and sensitivity. And you can comfortably layer your serums and moisturizers on top. It’s made with oatmeal as well as soothing honey. It also has hyaluronic acid and squalane to boost moisture and green tea extract to calm inflammation.
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, green tea, licorice extract
Skin Type: All
Size: 6 oz/177 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, cruelty-free
4. Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum
Similarly, this is also formulated around oatmeal for its calming benefits. The serum works as an instant rescue to soothe irritation and redness. In addition to oatmeal, it also has feverfew extract, which is another anti-inflammatory ingredient. The formulation is fragrance-free, which is great when you have reactive skin. You can hydrate your skin, manage your redness, and reduce irritation all thanks to its oatmeal-packed formula.
Key Ingredients: Oat extracts
Skin Type: All
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free
5. Amorepacific Vintage Single Extract Essence
This is an excellent anti-aging essence to repair the damaging effects of free radicals. Its minimal formulation helps green tea thrive. Whether you’re dealing with sun damage and looking to ward off free radicals, or just trying to keep inflammation and breakouts at bay, this Korean essence infuses the skin with green tea. It can be an addition to your anti-aging skincare routine. But it’s perfect for helping the skin recover and reduce sensitivity.
Key Ingredients: Green tea extract
Skin Type: All
Size: 2.37 oz/70 ml
Good To Know: Alcohol-free
6. Laneige Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask
When you’re dealing with inflammation, whatever the cause, a face mask can be of great use because it works fast. This is an overnight face mask, but it doesn’t need all night to work. It’s made with compounds derived from Centella Asiatica to care for inflamed skin. But it also has soothing panthenol and hydrating squalane. The fragrance-free face mask, when you use it as an overnight mask, helps you wake up with a fresh, rested, and calmer complexion.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5, Asiatic acid
Skin Type: All
Size: 2 oz/60 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free
So these are some of the best anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients and anti-inflammatory skincare products. If you have sensitive skin or redness, just look for these ingredients in your creams or serums.
Read Next: Best Skincare Products For Rosacea