When you have rosacea, you know that once you find a skincare routine that works, it’s hard to stray from it. Introducing new products can be tricky because they could either make the skin condition better or a lot worse. Finding the right products can feel difficult, if not impossible.
For those in the know, rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on the face. “It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people,” explains Kathleen S. Viscusi, MD, FAAD, FACMS, co-founder and partner at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta (DESSNA). “Each time we flush and blush, tiny capillaries are at risk and prone to breaking and leaking. This cyclical process of flushing and blushing damages the skin, leaving behind visible red spots and blood vessels after a flare has subsided. Rosacea can present as only the redness described above or a combination of redness and papules and pustules. And in as many as half (or more) of patients with cutaneous rosacea, it may also affect the eyes (ocular rosacea). Left untreated, ocular rosacea can cause long-term damage to the eyes. A dermatologist is essential to consult when managing this condition.”
The Cause of Rosacea
The cause of rosacea isn’t known, although genetics might play into it. “It can be exacerbated by environmental factors, certain foods, medications, and cosmetic products,” explains board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD. “Common triggers for rosacea include hot drinks, spicy foods, red wine, other alcoholic beverages, temperature extremes, sunlight, wind, emotions, exercise, and vasodilator drugs.”
And anyone can develop rosacea, adds Howard Sobel, MD, founder of Sobel Skin and attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. You can be more prone to it if you have family members with rosacea; are female with pale and sun-damaged skin; smoke; and are over the age of 30.
How to Treat Rosacea
Ingredients to Look For
Ingredients to Avoid
As for the ingredients to avoid, you’ll want to stay away from alcohol, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, witch hazel, camphor, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, and fragrances. This list of items can really exacerbate flare-ups, according to the dermatologists we spoke to.
The Best Skincare Products for Rosacea
Cleansers
Treatments and Serums
Moisturizers and Creams
Sunscreens
This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Source: WhoWhatWear
