How To Care For Rosacea Skin
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition with no known cures. However, it can be treated and cared for. Most commonly, rosacea is seen in people with fair skin. The most affected areas tend to be:
-Forehead
-Chin
-Cheeks
-Lower part of the nose
Rosacea is characterized by one or more of the following:
- small dilated blood vessels
- pinkish facial skin
- pink/irritated eyes
- small red bumps that may contain cysts or pus (comes and goes)
- bumpy skin
- dehydration
If you have rosacea, you will need to take extra care of your skin, as it can be easily agitated.
Some people are especially prone to flushing, blushing, and in addition may show signs of sensitivity to sunlight. If this describes you, then you may have rosacea.
Rosacea is not contagious or infectious, and cannot be spread.
Gentle Caring Tips
There are several basic things to understand when caring for rosacea skin:
- Whenever bathing, showering or washing your face, remember to use warm water. Hot water can dehydrate your skin, and is also a known trigger for rosacea skin conditions.
- When applying product to your skin or washing, remember to use your fingertips with a gentle touch. Rubbing and scrubbing should be avoided, and sponges and washcloths can also cause irritation.
- Only use soft cotton towels to pat your skin dry. Let it air dry before applying any kind of product.
Triggers
Skin care and makeup products formulated with skin damaging chemicals or highly active ingredients are the most common irritants for those with rosacea skin. However, triggers can vary from one individual to another. Understanding your own triggers is crucial to caring for and treating your skin.
Finding the right products for your skin may take time, and could involve a process of trial and error. Any products that cause burning, stinging, redness or irritation must be avoided, and can be eliminated from your supply.
Products
Product choice plays a significant part in caring for rosacea skin. There are many important factors to consider when selecting cleansers, moisturizers, lotions or makeup.
Products that dry out your skin are not good choices for those with rosacea.
Those containing fragrances, propylene glycol, alcohol, menthol, camphor, peppermint, witch hazel, and eucalyptus oil have a tendency to dehydrate skin and should not be used.
Gentle cleansers and the daily use of sunscreen lotion
Is recommended. Gentle cleansers help keep the skin surface clear of debris while respecting sensitive/reactive skin. Daily use of a gentle sunscreen (best if it has soothing ingredients) keeps protecting the skin barrier reducing further damage that can contribute to rosacea.
Sunlight can be a trigger for people with rosacea skin.
Avoid sunscreens with chemical blockers, and instead use those with physical blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Additionally, a lotion containing niacinamide can help reduce redness.
In general, look for products with fewer ingredients.
The more ingredients a product contains, the better chance it has to irritate your skin.
A quality moisturizer can also reduce irritation and redness.
Look for a barrier repair cream, preferably one containing ceramides (proteins found in the fat layer of the skin; they help prevent water loss). Avoid moisturizers and lotions containing alcohols, retinol, AHA & BHA, Vitamin C.
In some cases, makeup can help to conceal rosacea skin.
You still need to be aware of whatever products you are using, as some of them can also dry out your skin or cause irritation. Mineral-based makeup typically does not contain additives or preservatives, and is generally a good choice for people with rosacea. A foundation containing silicone can also assist with protecting your skin.
In A Nutshell
Rosacea generally affects facial skin. However, people with rosacea tend to have sensitive skin overall, and other parts of their body may require the same gentle care as their face. Often times Rosacea can be mistaken for acne conditions. Best way is to get a professional to take a look at your skin.