8 ways to deal with your rosacea
Anyone who suffers from rosacea knows it’s a little more serious than a little flush to the cheeks. The redness from rosacea occurs because blood vessels enlarge, allowing the cheeks nose, chin, forehead and sometimes chest and ears to have that flushed appearance. For some, bumps and even pimples can develop, which is why it’s important to take the steps to treat and manage your rosacea symptoms.
1
Try stay cool
Heat – whether that’s from the sun, exercising, or even from your morning coffee – increases blood flow, so it can be a big trigger for those with rosacea, aggravating the skin.
It’s best to avoid hot environments (from humid beach vacations to Bikram yoga classes) as much as possible, and to try stay cool and covered. When it comes to exercise, try exercising in the morning or evening when it’s cooler, or working out near a fan when indoors. It’ll also serve you well to always use a gentle sunscreen with high SPF, as sun exposure can also trigger rosacea symptoms.
Try: La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Spf 50 BB Cream
2
Minimise your stress
We know that stress and fatigue can affect all skin types, leaving it prone to dullness and the other signs of ageing, but for those who suffer from rosacea, stress can lead to irritations and flare-ups.
During times of stress or anxiety, try some exercises that can help bring some calm back to your day – deep breathing can help when you need a quick fix, otherwise try yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
3
Slow down on the red wine
Yep, red wine and other alcohol are not your friends when it comes to maintaining a clear, flare-up-free complexion. Like with most rosacea triggers, alcohol increases your blood flow, which leads to redness.
While you don’t have to give up alcohol altogether, it will help to limit your drinking.
4
Avoid spicy food
Sorry to the chili lovers out there! Those spicy additions to your meals (think: chili, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, jalapeños, and Tabasco) might add a pleasant fire to your mouth, but it’s not doing the same for your rosacea-prone skin.
Again, you don’t have to go cold turkey on spices, but be aware that they could cause a rosacea flare-up.
5
Ditch harsh beauty products
We should all be avoiding using products that irritate and aggravate the skin, but for those with rosacea, it’s a good idea to avoid exfoliators that are very granular and ingredients like alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, cinnamon, lavender, rosemary, lemon, lime, and clove oil, as they can sting and inflame the skin.
Fragrances and essential oils can also irritate rosacea, so look for fragrance-free products.
6
Treat the redness
Beyond using gentle and non-irritating products, it’ll also help to use skin care products that are targeted to treating the symptoms of rosacea, including helping reducing the redness and sensitivity that comes with it.
Try: Ella Baché Sensibeautics range
7
Try BHAs
The thought of using a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), like salicylic acid may seem a bit too harsh for those prone to rosacea and redness, but the chemical exfoliant actually has anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties and can help reduce redness and treat dry, flaky skin.
Try: Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
8
See a doctor
As with all skin conditions, it’s always a good idea to visit your doctor to check out the situation. For chronic or extreme cases of rosacea, they may recommend medication or stronger topical treatments.
Image credit: Getty
Carli was BEAUTYcrew’s Editor from launch in 2016 until May 2020. You can find her words right here on BEAUTYcrew, and previously on beautyheaven.
