ELLE Exclusive: Inflammaging 101—Why Your Skin’s Acting Older

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Is your skin ageing faster than you’d like, even though you’ve been religiously following a skincare routine packed with serums, masks, and SPF? If you’re noticing fine lines or dullness creeping in despite your best efforts, your skin might be a victim of a hidden culprit: inflammaging. Yes, it sounds clinical, but the truth behind this silent yet persistent inflammation could make a difference in how you approach skincare.

Inflammaging is an invisible kind of low-grade inflammation that, instead of flaring up obviously, quietly persists and exhausts your skin’s resources over time. Unlike regular aging, it sneaks in under the radar, triggering an endless “alarm” state in your skin cells, even when there’s no real threat. The result? Chronic inflammation that accelerates ageing—without you even knowing. And with modern life throwing pollutants, stress, and poor sleep our way, inflammaging is becoming a stealthy skincare concern.

It’s no surprise, then, that “anti-inflammaging” is the latest buzzword in skincare. Beauty brands are pivoting toward products that don’t just target visible issues, but work at the root, addressing inflammation before it turns into wrinkles, sagging, and dark spots. The answer lies in carefully selected ingredients—phyto bio-actives, antioxidants, and hydration-boosting compounds. They work together to bring the skin back to a balanced, calm state, building a defence against inflammaging.

Yet, tackling this complex issue doesn’t have to mean adding a dozen products to your routine. Instead, a single, thoughtfully designed product can be the solution. Enter: inbalance by d’you.


The Science-Backed Solution

Shamika Haldipurkar, founder of d’you, had a clear goal when developing inbalance: to create a skincare product that would soothe inflammaging and fit seamlessly into busy lives. Haldipurkar realised the gap in skincare that left inflammaging unchecked until it manifested as visible ageing. With inbalance, she brings a science-forward answer to modern skincare woes in an elegant, convenient mist format.

Addressing inflammaging begins with a strategic blend of skin-soothing ingredients—hydration as a base and active botanicals to calm and protect. While skincare shelves are packed with products that claim anti-aging benefits, inbalance offers something different: a milky, spritz-and-go solution that doesn’t just hydrate but actually helps pause those inflammatory responses.

“In skincare, we often focus on fixing problems only after they become visible, like fine lines or rough texture,” Haldipurkar shares. “But with inbalance, we wanted to approach skin care as preemptive rather than reactive.” She highlights ingredients like hinoki water, rich in hinokitiol—a powerful anti-inflammatory—sourced from Japanese cypress trees known for their soothing properties. “It’s an instant stress relief for your skin cells, bringing them back to equilibrium before they can get overworked.”

As someone who has been deeply inspired by modern lifestyle challenges, she wanted to create a product that would serve people across all stages of a busy day. “I believe skincare shouldn’t demand too much from us—it should fit seamlessly into life’s demands,” she says. This philosophy inspired the refreshing mist format. “Some days, you just don’t have the energy for a complex routine. But with inbalance, you can at least keep inflammaging at bay without much effort.”

The Experience

Imagine a cooling mist, soft with a milky, bouncy texture, that hydrates your skin on contact, delivering a dewy, glowy finish in seconds. The milky emollients and gentle hydration make inbalance feel luxurious yet utterly effortless—a one-spritz wonder that refreshes while it protects. Whether you’re spritzing it on fresh skin in the morning, using it to seal in makeup, or misting it on throughout the day, it’s a little luxury that elevates every moment. And on the laziest of days, it’s the one product that won’t let inflammaging creep in while you rest.

Inbalance’s creamy, “milky” texture also reflects a specific intention. “We went for a mist that would feel light but still deeply nourishing,” she notes. “It’s packed with hydrating ingredients like panthenol, which gives it that silky feel, while also ensuring your skin’s moisture barrier stays intact,” Haldipurkar adds.

Prevention is the New Cure

As skincare shifts towards preventive wellness, products like inbalance are redefining routines to prioritise equilibrium and long-term skin health. “The best skincare doesn’t wait for the damage to appear before it steps in,” Haldipurkar concludes. “With inbalance, you’re giving your skin a chance to stop inflammaging before it starts, letting it rest and repair without needing constant vigilance.”

Inbalance is more than a product—it’s a reminder that great skincare should work alongside you, providing relief, resilience, and radiance every step of the way.

Now available at dyou.co

Beauty Editor

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