​Everything You Need to Know about Rosacea

Today we will talk about Rosacea, an ongoing skin condition that affects even more than 20% of the population. What is so special about it? Rosacea is very frequently misdiagnosed.

Here is all you need to know about this long-term skin illness.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually affects the face and is often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. This problematic skin conditions may develop in many ways and at any age, however, typically it begins after age 30. It can have many forms but usually starts with redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. 

Symptoms of rosacea

Rosacea can vary substantially from one person to another. It mostly affects the face but may also spread to the neck, chest, scalp or ears.

Major Symptoms of Rosacea

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can significantly reduce the risk of progression. Here are the symptoms:

- Flushing on face and neck: many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing combined with a feeling of heat, warmth or burning.

- Bumps and pimples in the form of small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop. They can be itchy or burning.

- Visible blood vessels on the cheeks, nasal bridge, and other areas of the central face.

- Eye Irritation. Yes, even your eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot.

Symptoms of rosacea on a darker skin tone

The following symptoms may be useful indicators of rosacea in darker skin:

- a warm feeling most of the time

- dry, swollen skin

- patches of darker skin, or a dusky brown discoloration to the skin

- persistent acne-like breakouts

- hard, yellowish-brown bumps around the mouth, eyes, or both

- a burning or stinging sensation when applying skin care products

- swollen or thicker skin on the forehead, nose, cheeks, or chin.

What Causes Rosacea?

Specialists are not sure what causes rosacea. However, there are 4 main reasons:

- Abnormalities in the blood vessels such as facial flushing and spider veins.

- Demodex folliculorum: A skin mite lives on the skin and usually causes no problems. However, people with rosacea tend to have mites overgrowth.

- Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori: gut bacteria stimulate the production of small polypeptide bradykinin that causes blood vessels to dilate.

- Family history: a close relative with the condition.

How is Rosacea Treated?

We highly recommend seeing a dermatologist for a diagnosis. There is no clinical test for rosacea, hence, only a specialist can make a diagnosis after examining your skin.

What will work the best for rosacea? A combination of medications and lifestyle changes generally gives the best results.

Triggers Rosacea- What to avoid?

For many people suffering from rosacea, diet plays a crucial role in the condition of the skin.

Among foods and beverages, you should avoid:

- Hot beverages

- Coffee or dark tea

- Alcohol

- Dairy products

- Foods containing cinnamaldehyde, such as tomatoes, chocolate, and citrus fruits

Avoiding those to reduce the risk of flare-ups and help control rosacea.

Changes to your lifestyle

Other factors can aggravate rosacea. They are increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin. Avoid:

- Extremes of temperature- both hot and cold; in cold weather, protect your face and cover it up.

- Rubbing or touching the face- avoid touching your face

- Sunlight, humidity

- Stress, anxiety- try to reduce stress by getting good quality sleep, try yoga or meditation

- Hot baths and saunas- this is a big NO for anyone with rosacea

Top skincare tips for skin that is prone to rosacea

We have prepared some skincare tips that will help you keep your skin calmer.

A gentle skin-care routine can also help control rosacea. Here are our suggestions:

- Use a gentle, non-drying and non-abrasive cleanser.

- Rinse with lukewarm water. Never rub your skin or use a rough towel.

- Use a skin soothing leave-on BHA exfoliant once or twice a week. BHA reduces redness as well as helps with spots and blackheads.

- If you have oily or combination skin, use a lightweight lotion or gel moisturiser.

- If you have normal or dry skin, use a lotion or cream at night that contains sufficient antioxidants and skin-repairing ingredients.

- Avoid products that contain alcohol, essential oils or witch hazel. Synthetic fragrances, rosemary, lavender to name a few can severely irritate the skin.

- Avoid skin care products that contain lemon, lime, menthol/peppermint which all cause significant irritation.

- Use sunscreen every day that delivers UVA/UVB protection. Mineral sunscreens are exceptionally gentle and effective which is best for rosacea-prone skin.

- Use an electric shaver when shaving, as this is less likely to trigger flare-ups than a normal razor.

- Patch test new products before applying it all over your face. Use a small amount of product on your neck behind the ear or on your wrist. If you have any adverse reaction to it, stop using it.

Ingredients People with Rosacea Should Look for:

While treating your rosacea, think about your skin like an eggshell. Your skincare should not be compromising your skin’s natural pH. Your skin will love ingredients that have soothing, moisturising and skin softening properties.

Opt for panthenol, ceramides, green tea, mugwort, snail mucin, aloe, bamboo, honey/royal jelly/propolis and centella asiatica.

Korean Skincare products for rosacea skin

Using Korean skincare consistently will help your skin heal and soothe the redness. Rosacea often starts as a mild issue, with some redness here and there on the cheeks and nose. But if you don’t treat it, it will almost always get worse.

Skinsider has amazing skincare to make your skin smoother, calmer and reduce redness.

Reduce the chance of aggravating your rosacea-prone skin with soothing skincare products from Skinsider.

As a Double Cleanse, check Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil and Make P:rem Safe Me Cleansing Foam

For less skin friction or irritation check iUNIK Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam. This gentle pH balanced cleanser replaces ordinary water with 69% Centella Asiatica extract water to softly cleanse damaged, irritated skin.

For an extra dose of hydration pat in a few layers of Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner or Purito Centella Unscented Toner as both are free from essential oils and fragrance.

You know that we love muti-tasking products. Rovectin Cica Care Purifying Toner is a perfect product for acne-prone, sensitive skin or those with rosacea.

Dr Ceuracle Tea Tree Essence is bursting with 90% natural tea tree extract, this Korean beauty product minimises redness and irritation and improves the skin tone. Alternatively, Purito Unscented Centella Serum was designed for those with sensitive skin, they are completely free of fragrance or essential oils. 

In a sphere of sheet masks go for that extra dose of soothing, hydrating, nourishing, cooling and revitalising benefits to sensitive, easily irritated skin.

Benton Centella Redness Mask, Real BarrierCicarelief Cream Mask & Rovectin Skin Essentials Dr. Mask Cica is a soothing and anti-ageing facial mask for sensitive skin. They are the perfect SOS treatment or a regular part of your skin routine.

Real Barrier Cicarelief Cream features Calamine as its key ingredient, which is a well-known traditional calming agent that has anti-inflammatory properties. Tested on sensitive skin, Rovectin’s Skin Essentials Cica Care Balm gently heals and hydrates the skin’s deepest layers while reducing the appearance of dark spots and scars.

Healthy skin is beautiful skin, but the transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Remember we are here to assist you.