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IF you suffer from sensitive skin, take heart, you're not alone. Over half of all British women describe their skin as sensitive - and this can vary from occasional redness and itching to full-blown hypersensitivity, when any product that comes into contact causes rashes, redness, flaking and peeling. Famous faces who suffer from this common problem include Renee Zellweger, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Hudson and Courteney Cox.

Traditionally, women with “sensitive skin” have received short shrift from the medical world. But recent research has linked sensitivity to premature ageing and, in the process, discovered a whole range of skincare additives that can spark adverse reactions. It seems it's time to take the problem a little more seriously.

Cause and effect

So, what makes skin sensitive? “Generally, it's caused by something in the environment,” explains Lucien Aubert, head of research and development at skincare company, Biotherm. “That could be pollen, the sun or a change in the weather, but it can also be a reaction to something you put on, like sun cream, or to lifestyle or emotional factors, like lack of sleep.

Red alert

So, if all skin has the potential to fall victim to a sensitive breakout that could become acute when left untreated, what can you do to treat the problem and to prevent it in future?

“Your first step is not to blame your skincare regime, but to look at your stress levels, sleeping pattern, your diet, the weather, any drugs you are taking and your general health,” explains Dr Murad.

Sensitive steps

If your skin is prone to sensitivity, Dr Murad also recommends that you try the following:

- Take a zinc supplement at the recommended daily allowance. “This acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the skin.”
- Avoid alcohol and spicy foods.
- Stay out of the sun at all times unless wearing an SPF20 containing titanium or zinc dioxide, the two mineral sun screens that can be used on sensitive skin.