Rosacea 101
I have received so many requests to talk more in depth about this multifaceted skin condition. For starters, if you think you may have rosacea, please know that you are far from the only one. It’s a condition that affects millions, characterized by facial redness and sensitivity. It can only be diagnosed by a medical provider. If you are unsure if you have rosacea please see your Dermatology provider for proper management as it is a VERY nuanced condition. With all of this being said, I wanted to give a foundational guide that explores the condition in depth, offering you insights, triggers, and effective management strategies. This is NOT medical advice but general education.
WHAT IS ROSACEA?
Ok let’s start with the basics, what is rosacea? Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder that leads to persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and/or acne-like bumps. It primarily affects the facial area but can influence eyes and even alter the thickness of the skin on the nose (a condition known as rhinophyma).
The Four Subtypes of Rosacea
Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR): Features flushing and persistent redness with visible blood vessels.
Papulopustular Rosacea: Known for its acne-like breakouts in addition to redness.
Phymatous Rosacea: Involves thickening skin, especially around the nose.
Ocular Rosacea: Affects the eyes, leading to irritation and red, swollen eyelids.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE:
If you think you might have rosacea please see your derm provider. In the meantime, here are some of the common signs of rosacea that might provide you some insight!
Persistent facial redness and flushing (this will often occur more frequently and last longer as the condition progresses)
Sensitivity, sometimes resulting in a burning or stinging sensation
Visible blood vessels on the face sometimes called “broken blood vessels”
Acne-like bumps
While this can be so incredibly frustrating and stubborn (trust me, I get it), there are a number of things that can be done to keep these symptoms at bay. What are they, you might be wondering? Let’s go over some of my top rosacea suggestions!
SKINCARE TIPS FOR ROSACEA:
Identify and Avoid Triggers: Common triggers include stress, extreme temperatures (this can even be a hot car or hot workout class), spicy foods, and alcohol. If I am being honest, knowing these triggers has been a game changer for me in my rosacea journey! I know that eliminating heated yoga from my routine won’t solve all of my rosacea issues, but it helps to mitigate flares.
Gentle Cleansing: Use lukewarm water (again, avoiding extreme heat) and a mild cleanser designed for sensitive skin. Also, when it comes to exfoliation, absolutely avoid abrasive scrubs (tbh I don’t love them anyways). I much prefer a gentle chemical exfoliant IF your skin can tolerate it.
Side note: when it comes to recommending active ingredients like exfoliating acids and retinoids with rosacea it can get VERY tricky. As I mentioned this is an incredibly nuanced condition. While some with rosacea can tolerate a regimen with exfoliants and a retinoid very well, others can’t even look at these ingredients. It very important to determine where you fall here and the only way is trial and error and with guidance from your provider.
GENTLE CLEANSERS:
GENTLE EXFOLIANTS:
Hydration and Barrier Repair: Moisturizing is crucial as it helps restore the skin's barrier, thus reducing irritation and protecting against environmental stressors. I highly recommend using products rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to enhance hydration and barrier function. I will attach a few of my favorites below:
Sun Protection: Are you even surprised that I am bringing up SPF right now? I promise I wouldn’t mention it all the time if it wasn’t absolutely essential. Protect your skin from UV rays with mineral-based tinted sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Chemical sunscreens are fantastic as long as they don’t cause you any sensitivity. As I am sure you’d imagine, sun exposure is a well-known trigger for rosacea flare-ups.
CHOOSE ROSACEA-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS:
As common as rosacea is, everyone is different with what skin care they respond best to. I personally suggest selecting skincare products that are free of alcohol, camphor, fragrance, and other irritants. I actively look for products that are formulated for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Here are a few of the products that have made all of the difference for me and my rosacea:
VMV RED BETTER CLEANSER
A super creamy cleanser with monolaurin, fatty acids and glycerin plus soothing antioxidants.
SKINFIX BARRIER REPAIR CREAM
Triple lipid complex for barrier support, nutrapeptide for visible redness and glycerin to hydrate.
ELTA MD RESTORE
Deeply moisturizing and gives my skin UV protection without irritation as well as visible light protection (important as rosacea is also a light sensitive condition)
PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS & WHEN TO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST:
While maintaining a skincare routine is vital, professional treatments like prescription topical medications or laser therapy may be necessary for more severe cases. Like I mentioned before, I highly suggest consulting with your derm provider to diagnose, monitor the condition, and adjust treatments.
While I know how frustrating rosacea can be, I hope this makes you realize that there are absolutely steps that can be taken to get a handle on it! I am hoping to put together some more blogs and videos covering your rosacea questions. Please DM me any rosacea topics and questions you want me to cover!
Hungry for more? Check out my Comprehensive Skincare Guide in the Skinthusiast Shop!
**Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical advice. Please speak to your Dermatology provider before adding any at home procedures or products into your routine!
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