5 skin care tips for treating rosacea

I was ashamed of my red cheeks for years. I couldn’t understand why my peers had perfectly even skin tones, while mine burned a bright scarlet red. In high school, I finally took the initiative to find answers for my condition and that’s when my dermatologist told me about rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by redness, visible blood vessels and even small bumps along the face, but there are expert tips that can help people manage the condition and mask its effects. Below I explain what rosacea is and then give five skin care tips to improve and reduce the appearance of rosacea.

Read more: Is your skin damaged by the sun? We asked experts if you can reverse this

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the face and causes permanent redness and visible blood vessels on the face or sometimes other parts of the body. Rosacea is very common and has consequences more than 14 million people in the US only. Rosacea can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or ethnicity, but is more commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older people, fair-skinned people and menopausal women.

Rosacea is chronic and cannot be cured. It is treatable and can be well controlled with over-the-counter products, treatments, medications or surgery. It’s important to talk to a dermatologist about a formal diagnosis and treatment plans because the condition can worsen over time if left untreated.

Where does rosacea appear?

Rosacea can occur all over the body but is mainly found around these areas:

• Face, especially the nose, chin, cheeks, forehead and eyes
• Ears
• Chest
• Neck
  
• Scalp

What are signs of rosacea?

Typically, rosacea is diagnosed when you develop chronic rashes, permanent redness, and other symptoms on the face.

Other signs of rosacea may include:

• Redness, especially on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
• Facial inflammation and swelling, known as edema
  
• Small blood vessels that look like red lines on the skin
  
• A permanent rinse
  
• Non-tender pimples
  
• Bumps and pimples
  
• Burning or stabbing sensations
  
• Itching, tightness or dryness
  

What can make rosacea worse?

Over time, certain lifestyle behaviors, treatments, or topical solutions can help cover up the redness and make it less noticeable or completely unnoticeable.

There are certain risk factors that can cause, aggravate or worsen the appearance worsen the symptoms of rosaceasuch as:

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet light)
• Extremely warm temperatures
  
• Freezing temperatures
  
• Wind
  
• Hot baths
  
• High cardio/strenuous physical activity
  
• Tension
  
• Alcohol consumption
  
• Smoking
  
• Spicy food
  
• Hot food and drinks
  

Tips to improve and reduce the appearance of rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition, which means your symptoms can fluctuate unexpectedly. In the event of a flare-up, here are a few methods to treat or cover it up:

1. Choose the right skin care products

You probably wash your face twice a day, which is exactly what your dermatologist wants you to do. Having rosacea poses an additional obstacle because your skin is more sensitive. When developing a daily skin care routine, it is important to include rosacea-friendly products.

It’s best to avoid products, such as toners and astringents, with harsh ingredients, including:

• Alcohol
• Glycolic acid
  
• Lactic acid
  
• Camphor
  
• Smell
  
• Menthol
  
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (commonly found in shampoos and toothpaste)
  
• Urea
  

Here’s what you can use to soothe and soothe inflamed skin, or prevent irritation:

• Fragrance-free topical products
• Gentle cleaning agents
  
• Daily broad-spectrum sun protection with SPF 30 or higher
  
• Products with soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera, bitterwood, tormentil and licorice root extract
  
• Sensitive skin and non-comedogenic products
  

Remember, it’s important to test new products on a patch of skin on your hand or arm first and introduce them gradually to see how your skin reacts. If you experience irritation or worsening of your rosacea symptoms, discontinue use immediately.

2. Take medications

Oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat redness, inflammation, bumps, and pimples caused by rosacea. Here are some of the most common over-the-counter treatments for rosacea:

• Antibiotics such as doxycycline (oral)
• Brimonidine (topical gel)
  
• Topical creams or gels containing azelaic acid, ivermectin, or metronidazole
  
• Acne medications such as isotretinoin (oral)
  

These medications may require a prescription from your healthcare provider. If you use insurance, your copay may be as little as $7 free, but medications would cost more than $120 without insurance. There are basic over-the-counter products, such as those mentioned in the previous section, that can treat rosacea and will only cost you between $5 and $50 on average, depending on the product you purchase.

3. Laser treatment

In more severe cases, your dermatologist or healthcare provider may use lasers to remove visible blood vessels and limit the amount of redness on your skin.

There are different types of laser treatments, such as pulsed dye lasers, CO2 lasers, and erbium YAG lasers, but in general, lasers work by converting light energy into heat energy to selectively target and penetrate blood vessels while keeping the surrounding skin safe. Ablative lasers, like CO2 lasers, can reshape areas of your face that are scarred or enlarged by tissue inflamed by rosacea.

These treatments can be very effective. According to the American Academy of Dermatologistslasers used to treat visible blood vessels have excellent results; 50% to 75% of those who undergo treatment see a noticeable reduction in their symptoms after one to three treatments. Light therapies are expensive and can cost between €500 and €700.

4. Cleanse your skin properly

Preventing rosacea flare-ups isn’t just about avoiding certain skin care products. It also has to do with how you cleanse your skin. Here are some dermatologist-approved tips for cleansing your skin if you have rosacea:

• Cleanse the face twice a day, every day
• If you are taking medication to treat rosacea, apply your medication first and then apply a rosacea-friendly moisturizer.
  
• Do not use a washcloth or facial sponge to clean your skin. Just use your fingertips
  
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the skin
  
• Stop exfoliating
  
• After washing, gently pat your face with a clean cotton towel
  

5. Use green-tinted makeup

In mild cases, a green-tinted concealer or cream can camouflage redness or visible blood vessels in your face. Thanks to color theory, this works. Green and red are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite on the color wheel and cancel each other out when mixed. When green makeup is applied to red skin, the green will absorb the red and neutralize any red pigments. Certain products, such as the L’Oréal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Tinted Moisturizerhave thousands of reviews touting its effectiveness in masking signs of rosacea.

Some makeup can irritate sensitive skin, so always do a skin test before applying the product to your face and neck. Dermatologists also recommend water-based or powder makeup for people with more sensitive or irritated skin.

Incorporating these tips into your skin care routine can help you better manage and care for your rosacea-prone skin. Before trying any of these tips or products, it’s best to consult your dermatologist, as every skin type is different and your provider knows your skin best.

To learn more, discover these 10 sunscreen myths to stop believing this summer and whether Tretinoin or Retinol is best for your skin.