It’s so distressing when your complexion is irritated and red. Your confidence slips and you feel ill at ease in public. It’s difficult to know what to do to help the problem too. Do you continue your regular skincare ritual? Do you ditch everything and try something new?

Red, irritated skin is your body’s way of sending an alarm signal to show that you’re out of balance. In the East, we believe that good skincare begins on the inside, with a healthy diet and a calm state of mind.


Skin conditions on the rise

There is a surge of skin conditions arising in the Asia Pacific region (Source: Asia Pacific Dermatological Therapeutics Market Forecast 2019-2028 ). Environmental pollutants coupled with bad lifestyle habits have led to an increase in problem skin conditions which need to be addressed with an integrated approach. It’s not enough to simply try a new moisturiser and hope for the best. Just like happiness, good skin is an inside job.


Why is my skin feeling so sensitive?

If your skin is inflamed it turns red because blood rushes to the site to repair the damage. Once it’s finished fighting any irritation, the swelling reduces and redness disappears. There are many reasons why your skin may feel sensitive, red, and inflamed;

Sun exposure: prolonged exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays can inflame the skin, especially if it’s already sensitive. Invest in a sun hat and some skin-sensitive SPF cream.

Review your skincare ritual: Have you recently switched to a new cleanser or moisturiser? Some products can create skin allergies so keep it simple and use a gentle skincare regime.

Check your diet: We believe in a holistic approach to self-care; if you’re healthy, it will reflect on your skin. Avoiding processed and fatty foods and reducing your sugar intake can brighten a lack-lustre complexion.

Ditch the cover-up: We know it’s tempting to grab a cover-stick and foundation to hide problem skin, but that’s only going to make matters worse in the long term. Allow the skin to breathe until it fully recovers.


Eating your way to radiant skin

If your skin is sending you an alarm signal, it's time to look at your lifestyle choices. Are you rushing home from work and grabbing a fast-food bite? Is your sugar intake tipping the scales? Ensuring your diet is nutrient-rich means taking a little time and an honest look at what you're consuming daily. By cutting down on greasy meals, alcohol, and other unhealthy habits, you're already on a wholesome journey to self-care.


Skin-friendly foods

So now we know that a diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats promotes skin ageing. But what helps to give your complexion that ‘lit-from-within’ glow?

Dr Lawrence E Gibson MD of the Mayo Clinic ( Source: Article ‘Best foods for healthy skin’) suggests that “antioxidant-rich foods seem to have a protective effect for the skin.”

Nutrient-rich foods such as:

• Salmon, mackerel and other fatty fish
• Nuts, seeds, beans, lentils
• Carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Berries

Gibson also suggests eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole-grains.

Drink yourself pure

2 litres or 8 glasses of water per day is the general recommendation and this is especially important in temperate climates. If your body is dehydrated, it will quickly show up on the skin. Water helps to flush out toxins and restore that fresh-faced glow.


Enriched serums for irritated skin

In addition to a change in diet, reducing stress levels, and maintaining a skincare ritual for sensitive skin, it may be time to introduce a targeted facial serum to calm redness and inflammation. O’PUREO’s ‘Treatment №2 Relief Serum for Face’ is rich in amino acids and natural active ingredients, deeply penetrating to reduce puffiness and repair damaged tissue. It’s fragrance-free and is without parabens, so it's gentle on the skin. Used in combination with your regular skincare routine,  a topical serum should boost the skin’s circulation and reduce redness. O’PUREO’s offering combines Eastern wisdom with the latest in pioneering skincare technology. It contains TCM derived placenta extract, umbilical extract, and hydrolysed swiftlet nest extract, which work together to replenish collagen and rehydrate the skin. These traditional ingredients are also anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory, revitalising skin luminosity.

So, if your skin is unhappy, take an honest look at your current lifestyle. Just a few simple adjustments and a little bit of help along the way, and you’ll be shining bright again in no time!