When you have rosacea, you need to take special care of your skin. People with rosacea have skin that is easily irritated by cleansers, creams, and makeup. Using the right products can help keep you looking and feeling your best. I have some helpful skin-care tips that can help.
What is Rosacea?
Frequent flushing, redness, red bumps, and dilated blood vessels around the nose and cheeks are hallmarks of rosacea, a chronic skin condition. Rosacea may also result in a red, bulbous nose (known as rhinophyma) or a burning or gritty sensation in your eyes (known as ocular rosacea).
No specific test is used to diagnosis rosacea. Instead, your doctor relies on the history of your symptoms and an examination of your skin. You may have tests to rule out other conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema or lupus. These conditions can sometimes cause signs and symptoms similar to those of rosacea.
Who gets rosacea?
Rosacea is common. According to the U.S. government, more than 14 million people are living with it. Most people who get rosacea are:
- Between 30 and 50 years of age
- Fair-skinned, and often have blonde hair and blue eyes
- From Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry
- Likely to have someone in their family tree with rosacea or severe acne
- Likely to have had lots of acne — or acne cysts and/or nodules
Women are a bit more likely than men to get rosacea. Women, however, are not as likely as men to get severe rosacea. Some people are more likely to get rosacea, but anyone can get this skin disease. People of all colors and even children can get rosacea.
Learn Your Triggers
Each person with rosacea has different triggers, or things that make it worse. Common triggers for rosacea include becoming overheated, having cold wind blowing on your face, and eating spicy foods. These may — or may not — cause your rosacea to flare.
Triggers can also include some ingredients in skin care products, such as cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup. For many people with rosacea, learning which skin products work involves trial and error.
Try a new product on a small area of skin for a few weeks first. You will want to make sure it doesn’t cause redness, burning, or stinging. If a product irritates your skin, don’t use it.
Avoid Products That Dry Skin
Check out labels on skin care products, and watch out for ingredients that can dry out your skin. These include:
- Alcohol
- Witch hazel
- Menthol
- Camphor
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus oil
- Fragrances
- Propylene glycol
Keep It Simple
In general, look for products with mild ingredients and no added fragrance. The more ingredients in a product, the more likely it will irritate your skin. If you’re not sure about a product, ask to try a sample. Or check with your dermatologist.
Use The Right Serum
The right serum can help soothe the skin. Lumière de Vie Illuminating Fading Fluid is a powerful formula that instantly illuminates the skin, while it minimizes the appearance of dark spots and reduces the appearance of redness. Transform the skin with a powerful hydrating complex that leaves the skin soft and provides optimal hydration. Potent properties reduce the appearance of aging and refine tone. Restore radiance for a flawless complexion.
Moisturize
A good moisturizer can help ease redness and irritation. Choosing the right kind is key. Lumière de Vie® Super Crème is incredible. It reduces the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. This triple action formula is designed to brighten, hydrate, and prevent. Scientifically formulated with tranexamic acid, Super Crème transforms dull and uneven skin to enhance its natural radiance.
Use Sunscreen Every Day
Sunlight on the skin is a trigger for many people with rosacea. Using sunscreen every day can help, but many ingredients in it can irritate the skin. This means you have to be smart about which sunscreen you use. We suggest Cellular Laboratories® De-Aging Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+.
Use Warm Water
When taking a shower or washing your face, use warm water instead of hot. Hot water can dry out your skin, and heat is a common trigger for people with rosacea.
Choose Makeup Carefully
Makeup can help hide signs of rosacea. But many types of makeup can leave your skin dry and irritated. Mineral-based makeup is a good choice for people with rosacea. It doesn’t contain preservatives or other additives that can irritate the skin. Consider Custom Blend Foundation, it’s the best formula I’ve found for those that struggle with rosacea.
A foundation that has silicone will help protect your skin. And some makeup comes tinted with a green or yellow base to help hide redness. As with other skin care products, look for makeup with just a few simple ingredients.
Aside from the tips above, one other thing about dealing with rosacea is to treat your skin better and not to let the skin condition get the best of you. It’s definitely not the end of the world. At worst, you’ve got really rosy skin that’s annoyingly sensitive and easily irritated. Yes, it’s annoying, but here’s the upside: You can only use certain products when you have rosacea, which takes the anxiety and guesswork out of finding a new skin care regimen.