Some days, the skin just behaves itself. Others, cheeks become red after showering, the face becomes hot after going out or that same familiar moisturiser burns the face. Redness, blood vessels, dryness and acne-like spots appear on the face and disappear.
Should the above happen to you, you might have a condition called rosacea. It is an inflammation of the skin which makes the face extra sensitive to environmental and skincare product exposure. Symptoms vary among sufferers, and not all flare-ups of redness mean rosacea.
Managing a flare-up of rosacea starts with learning about the irritants of your skin and creating a regime that does not cause any extra irritation.
At The Good Hygiene Company (TGHC) we treat sensitive skin gently and respect its barrier. However, when it comes to skin prone to rosacea, even so-called mild and natural products should be considered individually.
Why Does Rosacea-Prone Skin React So Easily?
Rosacea isn’t just occasional redness of the face. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, which frequently affects cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. In different people, rosacea symptoms can include persistent redness, flushing, dilated blood vessels, burning and stinging, dryness and inflammatory lesions.
It is necessary to consider the role of the skin barrier in this case. Studies show that the dysfunction of the skin barrier can cause irritation, stinging, and dryness, which are characteristic features of rosacea. Therefore, proper moisturizers and cleansers can help to relieve skin irritation in addition to treatment. (1)
That is why a regimen, which is good for other people, may not be suitable for you. Perfumed products, exfoliating acids, irritating cleansers, and even changes in temperature can irritate sensitive skin.
The idea isn’t to toughen the rosacea-prone skin. The idea is to minimize the irritation factors.
Start by Understanding What Triggers Your Flare-Ups
The triggers of rosacea are not necessarily the same for all individuals. For example, one individual might blush after taking a hot bath while the other will blush because of sun exposure or after eating spicy food or having a stressful day.
Some common triggers of rosacea include:
- Sun exposure: Ultraviolet light can exacerbate the redness and cause flare ups.
- Heat and temperature changes: Hot baths, hot weather, saunas and rapid changes between warm and cold temperatures could be a reason for blushing.
- Some types of foods and drinks: Spicy foods, alcoholic and hot beverages can cause some symptoms.
- Exercise: Overheating exercises can be a reason for blushing.
- Skin care products: Fragrances, harsh cleansing agents, exfoliants and other irritants.
- Stress: Stress can lead to blushing for some people.
- All these are potential triggers of rosacea, but it does not mean that you have to eliminate all these from your life. You have to find your triggers and adjust your behavior accordingly.(2)
Try keeping a simple skin diary for two to three weeks. Record when redness, burning or bumps appear, along with the weather, products you used, activities and any suspected food triggers. Patterns may emerge that are difficult to spot from memory alone.
Build a Rosacea Skincare Routine Around Less Irritation
When your skin reacts easily, adding another active ingredient may not be the answer. A consistent routine with a few well-tolerated products can make everyday skincare easier to manage.
Morning: safeguarding your skin for the day ahead
1. Cleansing but not stripping your skin
Wash your face using a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Gently massage it into your skin using your fingertips, rinse off and gently pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Do not use hot water, cleansing brushes, rough cloths and aggressive scrubbing actions. You should rethink the use of your cleanser if your skin feels irritated after washing.
2. Moisturising to enhance the skin barrier function
Using a moisturiser will help you even when you have oily skin. Choose a moisturiser that will feel comfortable on your skin, prevent drying out and does not irritate your skin or cause redness.
Ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can help, provided they are used in the right formulations. Clinical reviews have shown that the right moisturisers and cleansers can help enhance the effectiveness of treatments.
3. Apply sunscreen every day
It is very important to use sun protection products if you have rosacea prone skin. It is recommended to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that has SPF 30 or more. In case regular sunscreens make your skin irritated, you can try a mineral one without fragrances, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
When going outside, use umbrellas, hats and other clothes for sun protection. Sunscreen must be used every day, even during vacations.(3)
Evening: remove the day's buildup without overdoing it
During the nighttime, carefully cleanse yourself of your sun block, any makeup you may have used throughout the day, sweat, and any environmental elements.
If your dermatologist has prescribed you any rosacea treatment, follow the application instructions. Use your moisturizer as instructed, and avoid using many different new products on top of each other.
If your face often stings after you have cleansed it, keep it simple during the nighttime.
Can Botanical Skincare Help Soothe Rosacea-Prone Skin?
Plants can be used in products that are looking for something less irritating and more gentle. But being natural does not always mean being non-irritating especially if skin is irritated or reactive already.
Some of plant components might have moisturizing or emollient properties depending on how they are formulated. Other components of plants such as some essential oils and perfumed components of plants might irritate skin.
Such information should be taken into consideration when using products for skin prone to rosacea. Instead of picking up products just because they have plant oils or other plant components.
Where TGHC Soothing Serum fits into a gentle routine
TGHC Soothing Serum is among the products that form a skincare regimen which is based on careful and thoughtful care of the skin. This jojoba oil serum can be chosen by those who need an oil-based moisturiser, provided the serum is suitable for them.
Jojoba oil is an emollient used for softening of the skin and preventing moisture loss. However, there is no evidence to support the fact that jojoba oil or TGHC Soothing Serum can help to treat rosacea, prevent its outbreak and decrease rosacea-related inflammation.
When dealing with rosacea on the sensitive skin, try TGHC Soothing Serum carefully. First, apply some on a small part of the skin to see if burning, itching, swelling or redness occurs. If it does – stop using it.
In case your skin suffers from a flare-up right now, do not use any products except those that you tolerate and consult your dermatologist.
Everyday Habits That Can Make Your Skin Feel More Comfortable
However, your products for the treatment of rosacea are not all that counts. Simple modifications of everyday habits can also help to handle the condition.
- Shower in lukewarm water: Excessively hot shower water may cause flushing. Use warm water and do not stay in it for too long.
- Cool down after working out: Exercise in a cool place and do not overheat as much as possible.
- Be careful about hot beverages and spicy foods: You do not have to give up on them. Try to detect whether they are the reason for your flushing.
- Do not over-exfoliate yourself: Scrubs, acidic agents, and other treatments may irritate reactive skin.
- Select the right makeup: In case the use of cosmetics causes burning or makes your face red, try to find another option for its removal.
- Do not modify your entire daily care routine at once: Change one cosmetic product at a time.
What Should You Avoid When Trying to Soothe Rosacea?
In case the redness doesn’t go away, it might be easy to use scrubs or many soothing products. However, such actions would only increase the irritation of the skin.
Do not use:
- Scrubs, cleansing brushes or rough washcloths.
Aggressive exfoliating acids, in particular when your skin gets irritated. - Fragranced products, menthol or any other product that burns or stings.
- Hot water and constant switching between hot and cold.
- Home remedies like lemon juice or essential oils undiluted.
- Any product which repeatedly causes you redness, itching or irritation, regardless of whether it is called natural or safe for the sensitive skin.
Even though avoiding irritants means that not everything from these lists could irritate you, it still depends on your skin’s reaction and a dermatologist could help you identify harmful products.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Though a mild skincare regime might be helpful, it cannot serve as an alternative to medical treatment when rosacea necessitates it.
It may be necessary to visit a dermatologist if you suffer from facial redness, flushing episodes, acne-like bumps, broken capillaries, and burning/stinging sensation. There are many skin disorders that share similar signs, and, therefore, it is necessary to get a proper diagnosis.
A dermatologist will prescribe topical creams/medications, pills, or even procedures according to your condition. Skincare can help in the course of medical treatment, but it shouldn't be used as a replacement.
Special attention should be paid to eye symptoms. If you start experiencing redness, irritation, grittiness, light sensitivity, and eye pain, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Conclusion
It is more about figuring out what you skin can actually tolerate than just trying out the latest miracle cream that will solve all your problems.
The TGHC Soothing Serum can be used to moisturize, but only if the formula does not trigger any of the symptoms you have because the serum will not cure the condition.
If you continue experiencing redness, burning, or bumps, it is time to consult a dermatologist first. Otherwise, you are wasting both time and money.
References
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Evidence of Barrier Deficiency in Rosacea and the Importance of Integrating OTC Skincare Products into Treatment Regimens - 2021 Apr - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33852244/
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Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment - Apr 2024 - https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/treatment/diagnosis-treat
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7 rosacea skin care tips dermatologists recommend - Apr 2024 - https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/triggers/tips
