Rosacea skin care: Bye bye bye to redness!

If you’ve ever felt like a walking stop light, with your face flashing RED at the slightest provocation, then you know how irritating and uncomfortable rosacea can be. Redness, flushing…who wants that? 

While it may seem impossible to get rid of that annoying redness forever, we’re here to tell you there is hope! Keep on reading for our tried-and-true guide on everything you need to know about managing rosacea flare ups – from identifying triggers to knowing the right skincare products for your skin type. 

Goodbye, redness; hello gorgeous glow!

What is rosacea-prone skin?

Rosacea-prone skin is like a temperamental toddler: it throws a tantrum at the slightest provocation. 

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing redness and visible blood vessels. People with rosacea-prone skin may experience flushing, redness, bumps, and sensitivity to certain triggers such as sun exposure, stress, alcohol consumption, spicy foods, and hot beverages. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it's believed to be related to an abnormal immune response and increased reactivity of the blood vessels in the skin.

This condition is common in those with sensitive skin, but it can also happen on all skin types, from oily skin to dry. 

Though this condition can be challenging, with the right skin care routine and medical treatment, you will be able to successfully control the symptoms!

4 Easy tips to take care of rosacea skin

Are you feeling frustrated with how to deal with the redness of your rosacea skin, or just overwhelmed by the amount of skincare advice that's out there? Here are 4 easy tips that will help you control your skin’s condition easily: 

Use gentle, non-irritating products 

Look for gentle, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic *aka doesn’t clog pores* cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens that are designed for sensitive skin. Avoid products with alcohol, overly abrasive scrubs, astringents, menthol, or other harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin.

When washing your face or applying products, be gentle and avoid rubbing or scrubbing the skin. Use your fingertips to apply products and pat them on your skin.

Chemical sunscreen

Chemical sunscreen Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++ (Mint)

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Sun protection is a must

Protect your skin from the sun by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even when it's cloudy. 

This is because the weather is one of the common rosacea triggers and wearing sunscreen will create a shield on your skin that will help you protect it against the weather and avoid irritation. 

Avoid hot water

Hot water can trigger a rosacea flare-up because it causes dilation of blood vessels in the skin. When you expose your skin to hot water, it leads to vasodilation or widening of the blood vessels. This results in increased blood flow to the skin's surface, causing redness and flushing that is often associated with rosacea. Additionally, hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation, which can further exacerbate rosacea symptoms.

To minimize the risk of triggering rosacea flare-ups, it's recommended to use lukewarm water when washing your face and avoid exposing your skin to extreme temperatures or prolonged heat sources, such as saunas and steam rooms.

Use green-tinted makeup

Looking for the best makeup for rosacea? Well, if you want to cover up redness, use green-tinted makeup products. Green cancels out red, so it can help neutralize the appearance of facial redness.

Here are our favorite options: 

How to get rid of rosacea? Our 3 tips

Having rosacea can be a real pain in the rosie-red cheeks. But, fear not, flush-faced friends, because even though there is no cure for rosacea, there are several ways to manage the symptoms. Here are some tips:

Identify and avoid triggers

Rosacea triggers can vary from person to person, but some common factors are known to cause flare-ups or worsen symptoms. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help manage rosacea more effectively. Some common rosacea triggers include:

Weather conditions: Extreme temperatures, wind, and sun exposure can exacerbate rosacea symptoms. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen, using a gentle moisturizer, and covering up during cold or windy weather.

Emotional stress: Stress can trigger flare-ups in many people with rosacea. Practice stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga to help keep stress levels under control.

Hot foods and beverages: Consuming hot or spicy foods and drinks can cause facial flushing and aggravate rosacea symptoms. Opt for milder flavors and cooler beverages to minimize the risk of triggering a flare-up.

Alcohol consumption: Alcohol, especially red wine, can cause vasodilation and worsen rosacea symptoms. Limit your alcohol intake or avoid it altogether if it's a significant trigger for you.

Exercise: Intense physical activity can cause overheating and facial flushing, which may trigger rosacea symptoms. Engage in low-impact exercises and try to stay cool while working out to minimize the risk of flare-ups.

Skincare products: Harsh skincare products or those containing irritants like alcohol, fragrances, or exfoliants can worsen rosacea. Choose gentle, fragrance-free products formulated for sensitive skin.

Hot baths and showers: As mentioned earlier, hot water can cause blood vessel dilation and trigger rosacea flare-ups. Use lukewarm water when bathing or washing your face.

Medications: Certain medications, such as vasodilators and topical steroids, can worsen rosacea symptoms. Consult your doctor if you suspect your medication is causing flare-ups.

It's essential to identify and avoid your personal triggers to manage rosacea effectively. Keep a journal to track your symptoms and potential triggers, and discuss any concerns with a dermatologist or healthcare professional.

Prescription treatments

There are prescription treatments available to treat rosacea, including topical creams and oral medications such as oral antibiotics. Talk to your dermatologist about which treatment may be right for you.

Lifestyle changes

Make healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. These changes can help improve your overall health and reduce rosacea flares.

Skincare for rosacea prone skin

If you have rosacea, it's important to give extra love when it comes to your skincare routine. There are rosacea skin care products to tame even the most stubborn of redness. We're talking soothing creams, gentle cleansers, and hydrating mists that will leave your skin feeling calm and cool as a cucumber. 

Let us be your guide in this often confusing world!

1. Gentle Cleanser

When choosing a face wash for rosacea, it's important to look for gentle, non-irritating ingredients that will not further inflame your sensitive skin. It's also important to choose a cleanser with a pH that is similar to your skin's pH. The ideal pH range for a cleanser for rosacea-prone skin is between 4.5 to 5.5. A cleanser within this range can help maintain the skin's natural acid mantle and prevent further skin irritation.

The best cleanser for rosacea must contain calming, hydrating ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe irritated skin and reduce redness such as ceramides, centella asiatica, glycerin, aloe vera, green tea, licorice root extract

Water-based cleanser

Water-based cleanser Low PH Rice Cleansing Bar

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2. Exfoliator

Exfoliating rosacea-prone skin can be tricky and should be approached with caution. While exfoliation can help to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture, it can also aggravate rosacea symptoms if not done properly.

If you have rosacea, it's important to choose gentle exfoliants that will not irritate your skin. Avoid harsh scrubs and instead look for chemical exfoliants containing non-abrasive ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), and enzymes (papaya). Physical exfoliants like jojoba beads or rice bran can also be gentle options.

It's also important to be mindful of how often you exfoliate. Over-exfoliating can damage the skin's barrier and lead to further irritation. Start with once a week and only gradually increase if your skin tolerates it.

Physical exfoliator

Physical exfoliator Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel

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Chemical exfoliator

Chemical exfoliator AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

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3. Toner

When looking for a toner for rosacea-prone skin, it's important to look for ingredients that are gentle and non-irritating. Here are some ingredients to look for:

The use of toner on rosacea-prone skin can be beneficial if you choose the right toner with gentle and soothing ingredients. When looking for a toner for rosacea-prone skin, you should avoid toners that contain alcohol, witch hazel, or harsh acids like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These ingredients can further irritate your delicate skin and exacerbate rosacea symptoms.

Instead, look for toners that contain calming and hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, cucumber, oatmeal, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients can help hydrate and soothe skin, reducing skin redness and inflammation associated with rosacea.

Soothing toner

Soothing toner Green Plum + AHA Bubble Toner

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4. Essence

When choosing an essence for rosacea-prone skin, look for products that contain soothing and calming ingredients such as Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, green tea, chamomile, and aloe vera. Avoid essences that contain alcohol, fragrance, or harsh acids like salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which can be too harsh for sensitive skin.

To ensure that the essence is safe for your skin, it's always a good idea to do a patch test first. Apply a small amount of the essence on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear and wait 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. 

If you experience any redness, irritation, or itching, discontinue use immediately and consult with a dermatologist.

Essence

Essence Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

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5. Serum

Using a serum is a great addition to your skincare routine if you have mild rosacea. However, it's important to choose the right serum with gentle and soothing ingredients.

When searching for the best serum for rosacea-prone skin, look for ingredients that help calm inflammation and irritation, such as Centella Asiatica, chamomile extract, green tea, licorice root extract, and aloe vera. These ingredients provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, which can help combat redness and soothe irritation.

In addition, consider using a serum that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which help to maintain skin moisture levels and support your skin barrier function. Vitamin E and C are also great additions to serum, as they can help protect against free-radical damage and promote skin repair.

Serum

Serum Hyaluronic Acid Pure 100

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Serum

Serum Tea Tree Relief Serum

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6. Sheet Mask

Oh Sheet masks! These ones can be a great way to hydrate and soothe your skin, as long as you choose the right mask with gentle ingredients.

Look for sheet masks that contain ingredients like Centella asiatica, aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, and calendula, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties on very sensitive skin.

7. Moisturizer

The best moisturizer for rosacea should focus on soothing and calming the sensitive skin, while also packing a hydrating punch. 

Look for a creamy formula with ingredients like aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, azelaic acid, niacinamide, allantoin, and chamomile. These powerhouses have anti-inflammatory properties that will help reduce the redness and irritation that come with rosacea. 

And, just like a good pick-up line, make sure to avoid ingredients that might trigger a flare-up, like alcohol, fragrance, and retinol. Remember, a happy face is a hydrated face!

8. Sunscreen

We all know how important sunscreen is to keep our skin safe from the harmful rays of the sun. But for those with rosacea, finding the right sunscreen can be a tricky business. You want something that won't aggravate your skin, but at the same time provides ample protection. 

So, what makes the best sunscreen for rosacea? First and foremost, look for a sunscreen that's labeled as "non-comedogenic" and "fragrance-free". Look for a sunscreen that boasts a broad spectrum of at least SPF 30. 

Besides, it's all about the ingredients, honey! Ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide excellent protection while being gentle on sensitive skin. So, the next time you're picking out sunscreen, make sure you check out the ingredients list.

When to consult a board-certified dermatologist 

Having rosacea-prone skin can feel like you're constantly playing a game of Russian roulette with your face. Certain triggers can cause a flare-up at any moment, leaving you red-faced and embarrassed. 

While makeup can help to conceal the redness and rosacea skin care can help you relieve the symptoms, sometimes they’re only a temporary band-aid solution if your case is too advanced. That's where consulting a board-certified dermatologist comes in. These skincare wizards have the know-how to help rosacea patients and prevent flare-ups. 

So instead of playing the dangerous game of roulette, put your trust in a dermatologist and start winning the game of clear skin.