Ever faced the unexpected flush on your skin, the annoying redness, or those sneaky bumps? Yep, sounds like you're in the rosacea club, bestie! Get ready, because we're about to spill all on crafting a skincare routine that not only calms your sensitive skin but also lets you flaunt your flawsome complexion with confidence. Let’s have a heart-to-heart about all things rosacea!
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face. It makes itself known with redness, visible blood vessels, and, in some cases, acne-like bumps, which you can usually spot on your cheeks, nose, and a bit on the forehead and chin. Often mistaken for acne, rosacea tends to affect adults, and it may be triggered or exacerbated by factors such as sunlight, heat, spicy foods, alcohol, or stress.
While we can't wave a magic wand to cure rosacea, there's a lot we can do to make life more comfortable if you’re dealing with it. By teaming up treatments, making a few lifestyle modifications, and crafting a personalised skincare routine, you can take some steps to ease the symptoms.
What are the main causes of rosacea?
Rosacea doesn't like to reveal all its secrets, but we've managed to uncover a few factors that seem to play a role in its appearance. It's like a mixtape of genetics, environmental factors, and your skin's unique personality. While the exact causes are not fully understood, here are some key contributors:
Genetics
Your family tree might have some influence on whether you get rosacea. If your parents or grandparents had it, there's a chance you might have it too.
Blood Vessel Issues
Your blood vessels might dilate more than they should, leading to that rosy complexion.
Demodex Mites
These tiny mites that naturally reside on your nose and cheeks might trigger an inflammatory response, contributing to rosacea symptoms such as redness and irritation.
Environmental Triggers
Environmental factors like sunlight, wind, hot beverages, and spicy foods can exacerbate rosacea symptoms by inducing blood vessel dilation and skin irritation.
Emotional Factors
When you’re riding the emotional rollercoaster, this could affect your skin too. Stress, anxiety and hormonal changes have been linked to rosacea flare-ups and may team up to give you that rosy flush.
Immune System Response
The immune system's role in rosacea is complex. Inflammation and redness might be a result of an immune response that has gone off track.
How do I get rid of rosacea?
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to completely eliminating rosacea, there are effective strategies and treatments to manage its symptoms and minimise flare-ups. Here's how to navigate your journey with rosacea:
Reach out to a dermatologist:
They'll figure out exactly which type of rosacea you're dealing with and create a personalised treatment plan to fit your needs.
Identify triggers:
It's time to play detective and keep an eye on what's happening with your skin and what might be worsening your rosacea. Things like being in the sun too long, drinking hot drinks, going wild with spicy foods, partying with alcohol, and even feeling stressed can all be culprits. Steering clear of these triggers could be your secret weapon in taming those flare-ups, so it’s worth a bit of trial and error to see what works for you.
Try a gentle skincare routine:
Opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers suitable for sensitive skin. Avoid those harsh scrubs and any abrasive products that could aggravate your rosacea.
Protect skin from the sun:
Using sun protection is crucial for managing rosacea. We all know we need to shield our skin from harmful UV rays, but this is particularly important for those of us with this condition. So opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Your skin will thank you!
Best skincare regime for rosacea-prone skin
Step 1: Gently cleanse your face
If you have rosacea, you should choose a mild, non-abrasive cleanser, such as our gentle cleanser. Opt for fragrance-free formulations that don't disrupt the delicate balance of your skin. Make sure to apply the cleanser gently in a circular motion, and to avoid any further irritation, thoroughly remove the cleanser with lukewarm (not hot) water.
Click here to learn more about how to properly cleanse your face!
Step 2: Apply soothing serums
When selecting a serum for rosacea-prone skin, it’s important to look for serums with calming ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin and ceramides. These ingredients are like a soothing hug for your skin, calming down redness and irritation and giving you a smoother, more even complexion. Our rebound serum is a perfect option if you have rosacea-prone skin! It is a barrier support serum that visibly reduces redness and calms damaged and angry skin. It also contains key ingredients included at the right concentration all in one serum, so you don't have to buy five different bottles to meet your hydration and barrier support needs.
Step 3: Apply your moisturiser
Moisturiser is your skin's BFF, and especially when dealing with rosacea. This condition often comes with dryness and sensitivity, and a good moisturiser acts like a shield, locking in hydration and creating a barrier against potential irritants. Our thirst trap moisturiser is a lightweight yet hydrating daily moisturiser that slows the rate of water loss from the skin, and features a blend of glycerin, pentavitin, sodium PCA, and genencare for effective hydration.
Step 4: Apply sun protection
The UV rays from the sun can be a trigger for rosacea flare-ups and worsen the condition, causing increased redness and inflammation. Sunscreen acts as a shield, helping to prevent these reactions and protect your skin from further damage. Opt for a rosacea-friendly sunscreen that is zinc oxide based, fragrance-free, SPF 30 or higher, and has broad-spectrum protection. Our skin shady 50+ is an oil-free, broad-spectrum 50+ SPF that protects against UVA and UVB. It also nourishes and moisturises your skin with glycerin and Vitamin E to give your skin that extra hydration it needs!
How do I make a skincare routine for rosacea?
Creating a skincare routine for rosacea is all about finding the right balance and soothing your sensitive skin. As well as following the routine recommended above, we also suggest the following:
Patch test new products:
Introduce new products one at a time and patch-test them to ensure they don't trigger adverse reactions.
Listen to your skin:
Pay close attention to your skin's response to each product. If you notice your skin is getting red, itchy, or burning, it’s a no-go.
Reach out to a dermatologist:
Seeking guidance from a dermatologist is crucial for effectively managing rosacea-prone skin. They're the experts who can offer customised advice and recommend products that align perfectly with your skin's needs.
Serums or moisturiser for Rosacea?
You may wonder whether you should use a serum, a moisturiser, or both when dealing with rosacea-prone skin. Serums are like the smooth talkers of the skincare world. They're lightweight and packed with a bunch of powerful, concentrated ingredients to help target your skin concerns. If you have rosacea, seek out serums containing soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or peptides. These can provide your highly sensitive skin with gentle care and help calm down the redness and irritation associated with rosacea.
After serums, you should then apply a moisturiser - moisturisers are like dependable friends who've got your back. They provide a protective barrier, locking in moisture and preventing water loss. Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser with ceramides, glycerin, or squalane. These ingredients can help keep your skin hydrated and less prone to flare-ups.
Here's the secret: team them up! After cleansing, start with a soothing serum to address specific concerns. Then seal the deal with a nourishing moisturiser to keep your skin happy and balanced. Remember, it's not about choosing one over the other but finding the perfect harmony between the two to create a rosacea-friendly routine that suits your skin's needs.
Hyaluronic Acid and Rosacea: A Compatible Duo?
Adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine can be an absolute game changer if you have rosacea-prone skin. Imagine it as a moisture magnet - it pulls in hydration and locks it in, which is just what your skin needs. Since rosacea-prone skin often suffers from dryness and sensitivity, incorporating hyaluronic acid can help alleviate these concerns. However, always ensure you're using a product with minimal additional ingredients to avoid potential triggers. Your skin will thank you for this hydrating boost!
So, besties, navigating a rosacea-friendly skincare routine is a journey, and patience and understanding are your greatest allies. By embracing gentle yet effective products and closely monitoring your skin's feedback, you can bid farewell to those pesky rosacea symptoms and say hello to a healthier, more radiant complexion!
Click here to learn more about rosacea and our recommended rosacea-friendly skincare products!
