If you have sensitive skin or tend to flush easily, a little redness likely isn't anything new. Redness is a symptom of many skin issues, including acne and sunburn. It's also a key characteristic of rosacea, a lifelong skin condition that can worsen over time if you don't address it. So, in addition to consulting your Dermatologist, it's important to implement a personalized skin care routine for rosacea.
Understanding Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition, affecting more than 14 million people in the United States. Anyone can develop it, but it's most common in women and people with fair skin.
Symptoms
Rosacea can show up differently from person to person, particularly in people with darker skin tones. The tell-tale sign is flushing or facial redness, but rosacea can also include the following symptoms:
- Acne-like bumps
- Visible blood vessels
- Eye irritation
- Burning, stinging, or swelling
- Dry, rough skin
- Rash-like patches
- Thick, enlarged skin
Causes
While rosacea is common and the symptoms are well understood, the exact cause of rosacea remains unknown. Some research suggests it may be an autoimmune response, while other research links it to early exposure to infections and microbes. Whatever the cause, rosacea likely develops from both genetic and environmental factors.
What Is Good for Rosacea?
Skin care is never a one-size-fits-all solution. That's especially true if you have a skin condition.
As for rosacea, certain triggers can cause flare-ups, so it's important to know what is good for rosacea and what to avoid—internally and externally. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), common rosacea triggers include sunlight, stress, alcohol, and spicy food. Topical triggers, like skin, hair, and makeup products, can also aggravate rosacea symptoms.
The right skin care routine for rosacea can make a noticeable difference. Adopting a rosacea-friendly regimen can reduce flare-ups, increase your other treatments' effectiveness, and support overall skin health.
How to Build a Skin Care Routine for Rosacea
Since rosacea symptoms and triggers can vary, building a rosacea-friendly skin care routine might take a little trial and error. Ultimately, it's worth making small adjustments here and there until you see improvements. Here's where to start.
- Avoid Irritating Skin Care Products
If you have rosacea, chances are you also have sensitive skin. Certain topical products can trigger symptoms, so step one is identifying ingredients that aggravate your symptoms.
The AAD recommends avoiding products with these ingredients:
- Alcohol
- Camphor
- Glycolic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Menthol
- Sodium Laurel Sulfate
- Urea
The National Rosacea Society also recommends steering clear of formulas with Witch Hazel, Peppermint Oil, and Eucalyptus Oil. Tread lightly with potentially irritating products like astringents, harsh toners, and physical exfoliators.
- Find Rosacea-Friendly Products
So, how do you spot a rosacea-friendly skin care product? For starters, look for labels like "fragrance-free," "hypoallergenic," and "allergy-tested." Products formulated without common allergens and irritants tend to be more tolerable, but remember that rosacea is personal. When trying a new product or ingredient, always perform a patch test first. This will help you identify your specific triggers and fine-tune your routine.
Try products formulated with Azelaic Acid, Dicarboxylic, or Niacinamide, which may help improve rosacea symptoms.
PCA SKIN’s Dual Action Redness Relief works to improve skin’s barrier function while reducing skin sensitivity and redness via restorative treatment ingredients including niacinamide, ceramide, and other protective agents. - Cleanse Twice Daily
If you have delicate skin, you may fear that frequent cleansing will only make things worse. But daily cleansing is strongly encouraged for people with rosacea. In fact, the AAD's general recommendation is to wash your face at least twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
Keep in mind that a gentle technique is just as important as a gentle formula. Apply your cleanser to damp skin using just your fingertips. Work the cleanser into your skin in a circular motion. Finally, rinse with lukewarm water, making sure to cleanse away all of the suds so there's no leftover residue that could lead to irritation.
- Moisturize Every Day
With rosacea, less is more. You don't need a long list of products. In fact, Dermatologists and Estheticians often recommend simple routines for people with rosacea—but you do need a moisturizer. Like cleansing, moisturizing is a nonnegotiable step.
Consistent moisturizing can alleviate some of the discomfort and irritation associated with rosacea. It also helps trap water and support skin barrier function, resulting in a softer, healthier complexion. Try PCA SKIN ReBalance moisturizer to soothe sensitivity and get your daily dose of Niacinamide, which hydrates, calms, and protects your skin. - Practice Proper Sun Protection
One of the biggest culprits of rosacea flare-ups is sunlight. Everyone should adopt the habit of daily broad-spectrum sunscreen for healthy skin, but this simple practice can also reduce sunlight-induced triggers for people with rosacea.
When looking for a sunscreen for rosacea, stick to mineral formulas, which tend to be gentler. Make sure it's also broad-spectrum and SPF 30 or higher. Formulated with 100 percent mineral ingredients, PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 is an excellent choice for sensitive skin. Plus, it's hydrating, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, and encourages an even complexion.
Feeling Comfortable in Your Skin
There's no cure for rosacea, but there is hope. You can manage flare-ups with the right care, including a tailored skin care routine for rosacea and a skin care professional's careful guidance. Give your skin the best of science-backed skin care and watch it transform.
Author:
Lacey Muinos
Lacey Muinos is a health, wellness, and beauty writer who specializes in skin and sun care. She has interviewed dozens of board-certified dermatologists to spread accurate and credible information relating to skin health, and her work has appeared on Healthline, Verywell Health, EltaMD, Health.com, and others. Prior to content writing, Lacey worked at a local skin care company in Southern California. She's been learning and writing about skin care ever since.