Rosacea can give anybody nightmares. That redness around the cheeks and nose, along with subtle to moderate inflammation, is certainly not a nice thing to have, right? Though there is no particular cure for this frustrating skin condition, several skin care techniques can help you immensely. In this post, we are going to share with you the must-know tips for taming rosacea flare-ups: (1)
Steer Clear Of The Triggers
The first and foremost thing you need to do is to identify your rosacea triggers and avoid them altogether. These substances or habits directly cause you rosacea or promote the flares anyway. Some of the rosacea triggers include too much heat, too much cold, spicy food, stress, astringents, harsh chemical-laden skin care products, alcohol, witch hazel, essential oils (peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, etc.), menthol, and so on. Neither all people have the same triggers, nor could all of the triggers be avoided. But, it is advised that you stay away from them as much as possible to minimize your symptoms.
Be Choosy About Cleansers
Your choice of facial cleansers can worsen your rosacea. Hence, you must pay special attention to the type of cleanser you use on your face. As rosacea-affected skin is susceptible, you should use a hypoallergenic cleanser with no fragrance. Ensure the product is also free of harsh chemical compounds, especially salicylic acid and retinoids, as these can irritate the skin even more.
Moisturize Generously
Rosacea-affected skin lacks enough moisture, and restoring it is the key to an effective skincare routine. Moisturizer can shield the skin from irritants and other harsh ingredients, significantly reducing redness. So, moisturize your skin as many times as possible throughout the day. However, make sure you opt for an excellent herbal moisturizer that is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, oil-free, and not loaded with chemical compounds.
Also Read – How to Get Rid of Facial Redness: Home Remedies and Useful Tips
Stay Protected From The Sun
Being one of the top triggers for rosacea, sun exposure should be minimized, and at the same time, proper sun safety should also be practiced. Most of the sunscreen lotions and sunblock creams contain harsh chemicals that affect sensitive skin to a great extent. Try to pick sun safety products (SPF 15 or more) that come with physical blockers like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, etc. Like your cleanser and moisturizer, sunscreens should also be hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Besides, limit your sun exposure, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, and wear a wide-brimmed hat whenever you go outside.
Skip Vigorous Skin Treatments
When caring for rosacea-affected skin, avoiding vigorous treatments that can irritate and aggravate the condition is paramount. No matter how rejuvenating or expensive the treatments (facials, scrubbing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc.) are, you will take a toll on your skin. Even when applying a cleanser or moisturizer to your skin, try to be very gentle, as too much rubbing can worsen things.
Find The Right Makeup
Rosacea and makeup never go hand in hand. The chemical compounds present in various makeup products can do a lot of harm to your skin while covering up your ruddy cheeks. If you still cannot do without makeup, ensure you find the right one for yourself. Always look for choices that are free of fragrances. It would be best to use powder or mineral-based makeup formulas instead of liquid ones, as the latter might clog the pores and worsen the skin condition.
Calm The Flares Down
Keep everything aside, one of the most significant parts of rosacea skin care is to soothe the skin irritation so that the symptoms don’t become prominent enough to make you feel uncomfortable. Placing ice packs on the face is the easiest way to calm the inflammation. Applying cold green tea extracts all over the face can also help reduce the flare-ups considerably.
A few More Points To Remember…
If you have a rosacea-prone skin and want to prevent further redness, here are some more tips for you:
- Check the temperature of anything you are applying to or putting on your skin, as extreme heat or cold might affect it to a large extent.
- Strictly avoid soaps or bars on your face to avoid further drying your skin.
- Women with oily / combination skin might opt for a gel/serum moisturizer with retinol to control oil production and inflammation.
- It is always good to avoid using rough washcloths, chemical-infused facial cleansing wipes, or harsh scrubbers on rosacea-prone skin.
- Don’t use makeup brushes or applicators too much. If possible, try limiting the number of skincare products for usage at a time.
Always consult your physician or an expert dermatologist before using any specific rosacea skincare products on your skin. They may also suggest some prescription medications for better treatment.