With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype.
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what → figure → content
While we don’t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do — which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends (and questions) on our timelines, like how often you should be cleaning your makeup brushes.
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you → have → brushes
Zombie skin may sound like another TikTok beauty gimmick (or your next Halloween costume), but it’s actually a real thing that could be impacting your complexion.
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that → sound → complexion
Zombie skin cells don’t die off like normal cells.
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cells → die → cells
Instead, they stop dividing and linger, releasing inflammatory signals that can damage healthy cells nearby.
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that → stop → cells
Over time, that buildup is thought to contribute to fine lines, loss of firmness and uneven tone.
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buildup → think → firmness
Everyone accumulates these cells with age, but certain things can speed them up.
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things → accumulate → them
To learn more, I spoke with two board-certified dermatologists about what zombie skin cells are, what causes them and how to treat them.
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what → learn → them
Zombie cells is a fitting nickname for this naturally-occurring process.
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cells → occur → process
“Zombie cells refers to skin cells that have entered a process called senescence, where they can no longer replicate but remain active in the body’s metabolic system,” says Dr. Sophia Reid, a dual board-certified physician in dermatology and obesity medicine and founder of Skin Secrets Dermatology, Aesthetics & Wellness in Park Ridge, New Jersey.
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Reid → refer → Ridge
“This is typically caused by aging or damage from UV exposure, radiation or other natural stressors.”
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This → cause → exposure
To understand how these cells form, it helps to know how healthy cells normally behave.
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cells → understand → ?
“Under normal circumstances, our cells divide, repair damage, die, and then are eventually cleared away via other cellular processes,” says Dr. Pearl Ugwu-Dike, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
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Dike → divide → City
But cells under significant stress can take a different path.
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cells → take → path
“For certain cells experiencing significant stress from things like ultraviolet damage, oxidative stress, or even sometimes just the passage of time, they can enter a different state referred to as cellular senescence,” she says.
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she → experience → senescence
“These cells go into stable cell cycle arrest.
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cells → go → arrest
But they’re resistant to apoptosis, or the process of cellular death.”
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they → ’re → death
In other words, they stop working but don’t go away, and they don’t stay quiet either.
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they → stop → working
“Some begin to release inflammatory molecules that can negatively influence the surrounding healthy cells,” says Ugwu-Dike.
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Dike → begin → cells
“I think of zombie cells as employees that have stopped doing their jobs but some of them keep sending disruptive emails to the rest of the office.”
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some → think → office
That disruption shows up on your face over time.
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disruption → show → time
“When senescent cells accumulate, they can release inflammatory proteins that can contribute to that breakdown of collagen and other structural proteins that help to keep the skin firm and resilient,” says Ugwu-Dike.
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Dike → accumulate → skin
“Of course, over time, that loss of collagen contributes to the visible signs of aging that we see, like fine lines, uneven texture and laxity or reduced elasticity.”
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we → contribute → lines
Skin care products that can help with zombie skin cells
“There isn’t a proven at-home treatment that effectively removes zombie cells from the skin,” says Reid.
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Reid → help → skin
“However, maintaining a consistent routine and healthy skin barrier while being mindful of lifestyle habits that could further damage the skin is a great place to start.”
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that → maintain → skin
According to the experts I spoke with, the below products can help keep your skin in good shape and mitigate the effects of zombie skin cells.
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products → accord → cells
Both Reid and Ugwu-Dike recommend using a retinoid because it can be particularly effective at stimulating collagen production that may otherwise be impacted by these zombie skin cells.
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that → recommend → cells
Reid likes this lotion from Olay for patients trying retinol for the first time or those with sensitive skin.
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Reid → like → skin
“It contains a gentle retinoid complex along with collagen peptides and aloe vera to address visible aging concerns without overwhelming the skin,” she says.
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she → contain → skin
It’s also fragrance-free, which is a plus for sensitive skin.
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which → ’ → skin
To use, pump twice and smooth it onto your face and neck every night, then follow up with SPF the following morning, since retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
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skin → use → sun
If you’d prefer a serum, this one from CeraVe is another retinol option.
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one → prefer → CeraVe
“It combines retinol with hyaluronic acid, which provides a more soothing product,” says Ugwu-Dike.
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Dike → combine → product
The formula uses retinol to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture and radiance, while hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin.
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acid → use → skin
It also contains niacinamide, which helps calm skin, and three ceramides to help restore the skin barrier, a helpful combination since retinoids can be drying.
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retinoids → contain → barrier
“Ultraviolet radiation is one of the most established drivers of cellular damage and premature skin aging, so daily sunscreen is a must,” says Ugwu-Dike.
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Dike → say → damage
“It’s also been demonstrated that photoaged skin has a higher burden of senescent cells than would be expected from chronologic age alone.
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skin → demonstrate → age
”
This sunscreen from Neutrogena comes recommended by Ugwu-Dike and protects against both aging UVA rays and burning UVB rays.
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sunscreen → recommend → rays
It also absorbs quickly and leaves a lightweight, non-shiny finish that won’t feel greasy under makeup.
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that → absorb → makeup
It’s non-comedogenic, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and can be used on your face and body.
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It → ’ → face
…and 26 more, not listed.
The Aporia
