Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder characterized by redness and/or bumps, similar to acne. It’s not possible to cure this skin condition with just one specific rosacea treatment, but you can make certain changes to your lifestyle by making changes to your diet, limiting sun exposure, and being careful of what products you use on your skin. Being careful about what you apply to your skin is extremely important, since certain ingredients tend to increase skin sensitivity, triggering a rosacea flare up. Let's first understand exactly what this condition is...
What is rosacea? The basics...

Rosacea is a facial skin condition that typically affects the area around your cheeks, resulting in a tendancy to flushes and blushes. Rosacea can lead to discolouration, swelling, thickened skin, visible blood vessels, and changes in the texture of your skin.
People with rosacea often find it difficult to build a skincare routine, since this skin condition makes your skin more sensitive to several commonly present ingredients.
But to manage rosacea, you need to get started with building an effective skincare routine. You can keep your routine simple. Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser 1-2 times a day, and follow it up with a moisturiser, and sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Taking care of your skin
When dealing with rosacea, it’s important to avoid certain ingredients in your skincare products. This will ensure that your skin doesn’t react or turn red, only worsening the condition. Here are the five common skincare ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea.
01. Alcohol
Since rosacea-prone skin typically has a weaker protective barrier, it’s important to use gentle, non-irritating ingredients and alcohol isn’t one of them. Alcohol-based skincare products could dry out your skin and damage your skin’s surface, leading to skin irritation and redness. This could worsen your rosacea.
02. Witch hazel
Even though witch hazel is a natural ingredient with incredible antioxidant and astringent properties, it can be a little too harsh for rosacea-prone skin. A very common ingredient found in toners, especially for oily skin, it can cause a lot of irritation and sensitivity for those who are prone to rosacea. This is because witch hazel is usually mixed with alcohol or ethanol during the distillation process, making it a major skin irritant.
03. Glycolic acid
There is no denying the fact that glycolic acid is one of the best ingredients out there to revive dull and damaged skin, but the exfoliating properties of this ingredient are often too harsh for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. If using a glycolic acid-based product can cause a tingling sensation for those with normal skin types, you can only imagine how it will react on itchy, red and inflamed rosacea-prone skin.
04. Fragrance
Who does not like smelling like a floral bouquet after their daily skincare regimen? But if you have rosacea-prone skin, then it is best to use fragrance-free products as far as possible. Most cosmetic brands use a lot of chemicals in order to achieve the right fragrance, a lot of which could aggravate skin sensitivity and cause irritation. Therefore, always read your labels thoroughly to look for mentions of either fragrance or perfume and avoid these products.
05. Menthol
Skincare products with menthol or peppermint may feel extremely cooling on the skin, but in reality are harmful to people with rosacea. That common tingling feeling is very harsh for easily-inflamed rosacea-prone skin. If used regularly, it could damage your skin and leave behind nasty scars and blemishes.
Skincare tips to follow
The right skincare routine can make a huge difference in treating your rosacea. Following a rosacea-friendly routine has the following benefits:
Helps reduce rosacea flareups
Boosts your skin’s health
Makes your skin feel more comfortable
Cleanse your face gently twice a day
Using the wrong cleanser can aggravate your rosacea. People with rosacea often do not cleanse their skin enough, which is understandable if your skin is already itchy and irritated. Astringents and harsh cleansers can aggravate rosacea, so avoid washing your face with these. It is important to use a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free cleanser.
This Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser Face Wash is ideal for rosacea skin because it’s a gentle cleanser for reactive skin. Being pH-balanced and non-foaming, this cleanser helps calm and cool reactive, sensitised or overprocessed skin. It also helps calm and cool redness and discomfort, making it the most suitable for people with rosacea.

Keep moisturising to manage rosacea
Moisturizing your skin is essential if you have rosacea. Make sure you use moisturizer on a daily basis. When chosen correctly, moisturizers can reduce symptoms as well as lock out irritants. However, if you pick the wrong one, it can worsen the redness. Look for a moisturizer that's oil-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. It is better if there are fewer ingredients.
The Dermalogica Calm Water Gel Face Moisturiser is best suited for rosacea skin since it provides immediate hydration to dry, irritated skin. It is packed with Dual Hyaluronic Acid technology that works in different skin surface layers to increase and lock in moisture. It also helps to softens, soothe and calm your skin down, thereby locking in moisture and defending your skin against dryness.

Keep your skin protected from the sun all year round
Rosacea can be aggravated by the sun. In fact, it's a common culprit for rosacea flare-ups – even those with dark skin.
Using sunscreen can help prevent rosacea flare-ups. Protect your skin from the sun by applying sunscreen every day before you go outside. It is important to apply sunscreen even on cloudy days.
This Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 50 is the best for flare up-prone skin since it contains antioxidants that help improve skin smoothness and softness while defending against skin-ageing free radicals. It comes with a sophisticated, non-chalky formula with green tea and grape seed extracts to form an invisible shield against pollution and the elements.

FAQs regarding skincare tips for rosacea
What are the causes of rosacea?
There are no known rosacea causes. It can be caused by defects in the nervous system, immune system, or vascular system. Rosacea runs in families and is more common in people with fair skin, who blush easily. The symptoms usually appear between the ages of 30 and 60 in adults. Rosacea is more common in women's cheeks and chins, whereas rhinophyma is more prevalent in men. Men are more likely to suffer from rosacea than women.
What are the common rosacea symptoms?
Often, mild rosacea begins with redness. You may notice a flushing or sunburn on your face, especially on your cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. In addition, you may see red bumps filled with pus and small blood vessels. Some people experience redness, thickening, and swelling of the nose skin as well. An excess of tissue causes this condition, called rhinophyma. Also, rosacea can cause red or watery eyes. The white part of your eye and your eyelids may be irritated and inflamed. The condition is known as conjunctivitis.
What is the treatment for rosacea?
Rosacea is most commonly treated with medicine. Your doctor will recommend a medicine based on your symptoms. There are various forms of antibiotics available, including pills, gels, and creams. They are effective at treating acne and bumps. However, the redness of the skin is more difficult to treat.
It may be necessary to undergo surgery if rosacea is severe. Rhinophyma is most commonly treated with this procedure. A fine electric needle or laser surgery can also sometimes be used to remove enlarged blood vessels on your face.
Written by Kinnari Ashar on Sep 08, 2022