If you have rosacea, you’ll know that it’s something that can affect your confidence if left untreated. The good news is that there are ways to deal with it. With the right products and advice, you can soothe your skin and feel like yourself again.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that affects both men and women. The interesting part is that although women with lighter skin tend to be more likely to suffer from it, men may experience more severe symptoms.
These include:
-
Redness on certain areas, typically on the face, around the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead.
-
Stinging and burning sensations on these areas, which can be worsened by things like the weather or red wine.
-
Flare-ups and bumps, where the symptoms are more obvious and painful. Rosacea flareups may last weeks or even months.
-
Swollen eyelids, or dry, irritated eyes. This is a specific kind of rosacea, called ocular rosacea.
And that’s the thing with rosacea. The way it appears on your skin may differ quite a bit from the next person. For example, if your skin is darker, it may not be as noticeable. Or your skin may feel more inflamed than someone else.
Rosacea causes
No one knows why some people get rosacea. You might find that your family members have it too. But although there is a hereditary link, this isn’t the only reason why you may have it.
There does seem to be a connection between other certain factors and rosacea. They include a family history of the condition. But if you’re starting to get a little disheartened about it, just remember that there are things you can do to help.
Rosacea triggers
And there’s more! Other ways rosacea can be triggered include diet, weather conditions like wind or heat, and even your emotional wellbeing. And no, we’re not suggesting you can control the weather. I mean, that would be crazy! But what you can do, is control how you prepare your skin and guard against influences like that.
If we were to list the things derms tell us to watch for, they’d be:
- Exposure to sunlight.
- Stress.
- Getting too hot.
- Hot drinks.
- Alcohol, especially offenders like red wine.
- Spicy food.
- Wind and cold temperatures.
- Some skincare and makeup products.
- Certain prescriptions medicines.
Run through those triggers, and you’ll immediately see some workarounds. They include protecting your skin during more extreme weather conditions. Sunscreen and hats and covering your face during cold snaps. Selecting alternative foods and drinks that won’t lead to a flare-up is another easy win. And cooling down if you’re starting to overheat through activity or the weather.
Some may be trickier to manage. Like medicines you need to take, or stress levels. But finding ways to manage your emotional wellbeing or speaking to your GP if you need advice on medicines, are all options.
Rosacea treatment
You’ll notice the addition of skincare on this list too. Yes, skincare and makeup can contribute to flareups. And conversely, choosing the right products can help you manage your rosacea.
If you look at rosacea treatments, you find that doctors recommend gentle skincare and makeup products. You must find products that are suitable for people with rosacea. Clever formulations will have the actives and ingredients that can help, rather than hinder.
Best products for rosacea
It’s all about searching for skincare products that are made for you in mind. Certain natural ingredients and actives can work wonders for inflamed skin and redness. The key is to moisturise and soothe your skin, without using harsh products that will strip and irritate.
Here are just some natural ingredients that can do that:
-
Vitamin E – this powerhouse ingredient hydrates, and in the right products it will get to work without clogging your skin.
-
Oatmeal – Oatmeal is known to soothe and reduce redness and retain moisture. Everything your skin needs.
-
Green Tea – as a natural antioxidant, it protects your skin. Exactly what you need to weather, well, the weather.
-
Chamomile – just like green tea, it has antioxidant properties, and it’s a powerful skin-soother.
-
Niacinamide – a B vitamin, niacinamide is known for its ability to reduce flushing and redness. Bingo!
-
Azelaic Acid – a powerful anti-inflammatory, azelaic acid is found in wheat, rye, and barley, and can both reduce swelling and minimise visible blood vessels.
Dealing with rosacea flareups
We are not always saintly with our choices all the time. So, sometimes flareups happen. What to do then? Here are some tips to manage your skincare if it does:
- Soothe your skin with cooling flannels.
- Stick to a gentle skincare routine that won’t irritate your complexion further.
- Reduce your makeup or wear non-comedogenic products.
We know, having rosacea doesn’t always make you feel great. But get comfort from two things. First, it’s not uncommon. Second, there are ways to manage it. Knowledge is power! And the right info will help you stay on top of your rosacea.
References
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/triggers/prevent
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353820
https://www.healthline.com/health/rosacea-natural-treatments#home-remedies
https://www.rosacea.org/patients/it-works-for-me/vitamin-e-oil
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18803456/
