Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and irritation on the face. Rosacea often looks like someone is blushing or breaking out with a rash or acne. Most of the time, people who suffer from rosacea have extremely sensitive skin that can be easily irritated by the sun, alcohol, spicy food, cleansers, creams, and certain types of makeup.
There is no test to determine whether or not you have rosacea, but your doctor can make the diagnosis based on the history of your symptoms and an examination of your skin. Left untreated, rosacea can worsen over time. It can be frustrating to deal with, even painful, but the good news is that there are several measures you can take to help keep your skin calm and redness-free (or reduced). If you are struggling with rosacea and need help making up with your skin, continue reading.
Some Symptoms of Rosacea:
Red cheeks/nose
Stinging or burning sensation
Large pores
Dry, swollen, irritated eyes
Visible blood vessels
Tips to manage rosacea
Make sure to moisturize
Rosacea can make your skin extremely dry, so moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Ensuring that your skin has enough moisture can reduce irritation and soothe the skin. If your daily cream just isn’t cutting it, try amping it up with a hyaluronic acid serum, which will hold on to moisture and make your cream more effective.
Protect your skin from the sun
Sun exposure can worsen the effects of rosacea and is often the cause of flare-ups. In order to protect your skin, apply sunscreen daily. If you are going to be in the sun for long periods of time, consider wearing a hat for extra protection.
Look for rosacea friendly skin products
Read the ingredients list when shopping for new skincare products. When looking for the right products that won’t irritate your skin, avoid ingredients like alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and urea. When you buy a new skin-care product, it’s a good idea to patch test the product on your skin before fully committing to it to ensure it’s not going to cause a reaction.
Be good to your skin
Remember to be gentle with your skin! Anything that irritates your skin will only make the appearance of rosacea worse. Don’t scrub or rub your face! Avoid physical and chemical exfoliators and masks that dry you out (clay masks are a no-no).
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of medication
If your rosacea becomes worse or more difficult to manage, talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking medication to alleviate the symptoms. Working with the professional help of a dermatologist is the best way to manage rosacea.