Sensitive skin leaving you red faced? The surprising lifestyle choices irritating your skin – and the foods you need to eat …

Sensitive skin is a catch-all term that has never been more popular.

Speak to any dermatologist and they’ll likely say they’ve seen an upturn in the number of people struggling with heightened sensitivity and/or allergic skin conditions.

But why are our modern-day complexions so stressed out and what are the lifestyle factors causing our red, irritated faces?

Here, FEMAIL speaks to dermatologist, Dr Natasha Cook, and dietitian, Lyndi Cohen, to find out how you can reduce the redness and eat to beat rosacea and sensitive skin.

They also share the one skincare ingredient you need to look out for to help your complexion.

LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND CAUSES

According to Dr Natasha Cook, who works as a dermatologist in Sydney, there are many lifestyle factors that can cause increased skin sensitivity:

‘Rosacea is known to have certain triggers,’ Dr Cook told FEMAIL.

‘These vary from individual to individual, but can include excessive sun exposure – which causes an increase in blood vessels in the facial skin and therefore more “flushing”.

‘Changes in temperature also increase flushing and sensitivity, and winter can be worse than summer in this respect as we’re going from very cold outdoor temperatures to overheated indoor climates, again triggering “flushing” reactions in the blood vessels.’

The dermatologist also cited hot yoga as one of the worst exacerbating factors for red skin:

‘The heat can fuel pigmentation,’ she said. ‘The same goes for saunas, steam rooms and facials that include steaming – people with increased sensitivity or rosacea would do well to avoid them.’

Elsewhere, Dr Cook recommends steering clear from ‘foaming and scrub-like washes, which are too much for rosacea-prone skin as they compromise the barrier function and increase sensitivity’.

She also said it’s useful to look carefully at your sunscreen:

‘You need to use ones specially designed for sensitive skin, which contain zinc and titanium dioxide only,’ she explained.

‘Avoid astringents, toners, sodium lauryl sulphate products as well as heavy make up, which requires a lot of cleansing to remove.’

Instead, you need to use a gentle cleanser and a decent, good quality moisturiser ‘backed by moisture binders like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, medical grade lanolin and anti-inflammatories or antioxidants like B3 and chamomile’.

Other factors which might be playing havoc with your skin include pollution and so-called ‘natural’ or ‘green’ products – which can often be highly concentrated substances, or highly fragranced in the case of essential oils.

FOODS TO EAT TO BEAT SENSITIVE SKIN

Speaking to FEMAIL, dietitian, Lyndi Cohen, revealed how you can eat to beat sensitive skin:

‘Face lotions and serums have a role to play, but what you put in your mouth really does show on the outside,’ she said.

‘I really notice a difference in my skin when I eat certain foods and scrimp on sleep.’

Ms Cohen explained that acne, eczema and psoriasis can be caused by ‘inflammation of the skin due to high levels of stress, lack of sleep, too much alcohol and a poor diet’.

She said foods like oily fish are loaded with healthy fats that are good for the skin, while yoghurt is the ‘best food source of probiotics, which can help your gut thrive and combat inflammation for clearer, more spot-free skin’.

‘Avocado may help you get clearer and more hydrated skin as the healthy fats help to stabilise your blood sugar levels,’ Ms Cohen continued.

Finally, foods like pumpkin seeds, wholegrain cereals and oats can help to keep your skin elastic and your collagen healthy.

‘Oats will also keep your blood sugar levels more stable which can help you to have fewer breakouts and reduce inflammation that causes redness,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Dr Cook said if you have sensitive skin, it can be useful to avoid too much red wine, which ‘triggers dilation of our blood vessels and makes rosacea worse’ – and spicy foods.

Instead, stick to vodka and soda as a general alcohol rule of thumb.

SKINCARE INGREDIENT TO LOOK OUT FOR

When it comes to looking after sensitive skin, there are countless brands and labels purporting to be the holy grail for redness.

But, according to Dr Cook, there is one skincare ingredient which reigns supreme:

‘The latest essential vitamin is B3,’ she explained.

‘This naturally-occurring vitamin, also known as niacinimide, is currently overwhelming the dermatology community with its multitasking ability and plethora of benefits for the skin’.

Niacinimide can be found in salmon, tuna, chicken and milk products – and due to its inflammatory powers, it can be great for those who struggle with acne and rosacea.

There is also research to suggest that it helps boost your skin’s natural collagen production, which results in firmer, plumper skin.