Everyone experiences skin redness from time to time. As it has become a prevalent condition deemed harmless, not a lot of people pay much attention to it. If you frequently look like your face is blushing, accompanied by raised bumps, you probably have rosacea.
Essentially, rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by irritated skin, flushing, pimples, and eye problems. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, rosacea affects 16 million Americans. While skin professionals are still uncertain why and how rosacea happens, it seems clear that rosacea flare-ups are associated with heredity, an overactive immune system, environmental factors, or a combination of these.
Rosacea has no cure, but can be managed with the right practices and products. Here’s a great post to read about rosacea and how to address it. More importantly, here are four essential skincare tips to keep your rosacea at bay:
Determine Your Triggers
Many things coming into contact with the skin can trigger irritation, which is a case-to-case basis for everyone. The first step to reducing the chances of experiencing rosacea is to learn your triggers.
Consulting with a dermatologist is the best way to identify what triggers your rosacea. During your diagnosis, your skin will be subjected to common rosacea triggers. Once identified, address them by staying away from these triggers and providing maximum protection for your skin.
Triggers come in all forms— food, items, activities, temperatures, and even emotions. Rosacea triggers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Hot, humid, or cold weather
- Sunlight and wind
- Spicy food
- Hot foods and drinks
- Extreme physical activity
- Stress and anxiety
- Skin and hair care products
- Oral or topical medication
- Everyday items like rough fabrics, smartphone, sunglasses, and the like
Avoid Harsh Skincare Products
Skincare products can make or break rosacea-prone skin. When curating your skincare regimen, avoid products that tend to be a bit harsher to the skin, such as:
- Irritating ingredients, like alcohol and essential oils
- Heavily-fragranced products
- Products with too many ingredients
- Physical scrubs and exfoliators
- Acne treatment ingredients, including glycolic acid and retinol
As much as possible, keep your skincare stash full of gentle, rosacea skin-friendly goodies like azelaic acid. If you’re dealing with other skin issues like acne that requires you to use potentially irritating and drying products, combat them with soothing and moisturizing ingredients such as premium-grade shea butter.
If you regularly wear makeup, you should also be more wary of picking good quality cosmetics and tools. Cheap makeup can be more irritating to your skin, especially if the ingredients aren’t listed on the packaging. Also, keep your makeup brushes, sponges, and spoolies clean at all times to prevent skin irritation.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
The key to a healthy and happy rosacea-prone skin is the right level of moisturization. Numerous rosacea triggers come from the environment, like hot and cold temperatures, pollutants, and sunlight, which can be fought using a mild, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free moisturizer. Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, using moisturizer never hurts.
Here are ways how moisturizers can protect your skin from rosacea symptoms:
- They form a protective barrier against outside elements
- It traps water into your skin to keep it plump and hydrated
- Moisturizers penetrate deep into your skin to soothe and calm redness
- They combat potential dryness, roughness, and peeling
Wear Your SPF!
From a study conducted by the National Rosacea Society, sun exposure is the topmost trigger for rosacea. Wearing sun protection is a must for everyone, whether you have light or dark skin, clear or acne-prone skin, and young or ageing skin. With a skin condition like rosacea, you should never miss out on your daily SPF, particularly if you get a decent amount of sunlight exposure.
Pick sunscreens with physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are less irritating than chemical sunscreens that contain avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. An affordable, high-quality SPF 30 or 50 with PA+++ sunscreen is an excellent option.
Furthermore, make sure you apply your sunscreen generously and consistently, and reapply after significant sun exposure and sweating. Regardless of the level of SPF and PA protection and the amount you apply to your skin, you won’t get enough protection if you don’t reapply.
Takeaways
Thanks to the advancements in dermatology, people struggling with rosacea can manage their conditions better. While rosacea remains unfounded with a cure, your dermatologist can assist you in creating a personal skincare routine to avoid experiencing rosacea symptoms, such as the skincare tips discussed in this article. Doing these steps gently, appropriately, and consistently will make your skin happy and healthy.
