Rosacea: What Is Rosacea, How To Treat It And The Best Skin Products To Use At Home
The Best Products And Expert Advice To Treat Rosacea
Rosy Cherrington— The Huffington Post UK
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Rosacea is a common but often poorly understood skin condition, which can really affect your confidence.
Symptoms often begin with a mild flushing in the cheeks, but can lead to persistent, long-term facial redness and an uncomfortable, itchy rash.
If you're suffering from rosacea, you're not alone. The NHS estimates that up to one in 10 people may have it and, luckily, there are plenty of treatment options available.
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Rosacea sufferers can also develop papules (round red bumps) and pustules (pus-filled swellings) which look similar to acne.
In a survey of skin specialists by private healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com, one in 10 said they had seen rosacea cases that had previously been misdiagnosed as the condition.
The research also showed that rosacea treatments have seen a huge growth in demand recently, with enquires in the past year up 92 per cent from the year before.
The rise was attributed to an increase in pollution, stress and poor diet, and women in their thirties were found to be most likely to develop the condition.
Speaking to HuffPost UK Style, Dr Alexis Granite, a dermatologist at London's Cadogan Clinic, revealed the top treatment options.
She explained: "Treatment typically includes topical medications that help to reduce inflammation and redness of the skin. Oral antibiotics can be helpful as well, especially in the papulopustular form of rosacea.
"Lifestyle changes including limiting potential triggers such as sun and wind exposure, spicy foods, hot drinks, and alcohol are an important mainstay of treatment for rosacea patients.
"There is some newer evidence that probiotic supplementation may be beneficial in managing rosacea as well."
Recommended to HuffPost UK Style by dermatologists, facialists and rosacea sufferers.
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Rosacea sufferers should stick to an extremely gentle cleanser. Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser (£27.20) helps to combat sensitivity and is completely free from artificial fragrance or colour.
Give skin a bi-weekly treat with Aurelia Cell Revitalise Rose Mask (£65). This balancing treatment is supercharged with probiotics and works wonderfully to reduce inflammation.
Hailed as a hero product for rosacea, Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Creme (£41) is a must-try for treating redness. The delicate formula soothes, moisturises and increases skin's defences against pollution, thanks to its powerful antioxidant ingredients.
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Before applying makeup, try a specialised primer like Smashbox Colour Correcting Primer in Adjust (£25). The green pigment counteracts redness in the skin, as it's the opposing shade on the colour spectrum.
Sunlight can aggravate rosacea so ensure your foundation contains a good SPF. Vichy Dermablend Corrective Stick (£15) provides impeccable coverage, SPF 30 and is formulated for even the most sensitive of skin.
We have chosen not to include a photo of the condition, as rosacea can look very different from case to case. If you are worried you may be affected, see the British Association of Dermatologists' fact sheet for more information.
Facts About Rosacea
It’s Common(01 of11)
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Rosacea can (and does) affect anyone, explains Dr. Jill Waibel of the Miami Dermatologist and Laser Institute. It most often affects those who are between 30 and 50 years old, fair skinned, blonde, and blue eyed, and there could also be a genetic component that makes it more likely to occur in some people. It is not typically associated with skin of colour, but can occur. It’s more common for women to have rosacea than men, Dr. Waibel said — but women are less likely to have severe rosacea. (credit:shvili via Getty Images)
There Are Four Types(02 of11)
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There are four different forms of rosacea, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association. Mild or erythematotelangiectatic rosacea involves flushing or redness of the facial skin, which can come and go, and sometimes also results in swelling, burning, roughness, and some visible blood vessels. Moderate or papulopustular rosacea is marked by persistent redness and acne-like bumps along with burning and stinging, while severe or phymatous rosacea involves those symptoms as well as rhinophyma, rosacea affecting the skin on the nose. And ocular rosacea can affect the eyes and eyelids in addition to the symptoms of other types of the condition. (credit:Alliance via Getty Images)
Redness Isn’t The Only Symptom(03 of11)
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The red skin tone that one associates with rosacea is its most visible symptom, but it’s not the only one. Sensitive skin that experiences burning or stinging sensations is one of those symptoms, Dr. Waibel said. Skin can become rough, swollen, and scaly when irritated. People with severe rosacea often experience breakouts similar to acne, with tiny pus-filled pimples or bumps, and and their skin texture is thick, raised, and oily. (credit:coloroftime via Getty Images)
You Can Prevent Flare Ups(04 of11)
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Unfortunately, there is no known cure for rosacea. However, there are ways to prevent rosacea flare ups, Dr. Waibel said, that involve avoiding the things that trigger them. The CDA has a trigger tracking worksheet that can help you find your own particular triggers.
Some Triggers Are Environmental(05 of11)
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Environmental triggers for rosacea include weather extremes like particularly hot or cold weather, Dr. Waibel said. Exposure or sun and wind are also triggers for some people. These triggers can be hard to avoid, she acknowledged, particularly depending on where in the world you live and how much time your lifestyle and job require you to be outside. (credit:Tiburon Studios via Getty Images)
Other Triggers Are Related To Lifestyle(06 of11)
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You may have more control over lifestyle triggers that can aggravate rosacea. Spicy foods are a trigger for some people, Dr. Waibel said, and alcohol consumption can also make flare ups more likely. Heavy exercise is another possible lifestyle trigger, and certain skin-care products can irritate skin that is already sensitive. Pay attention to what you were doing in advance of a flare up to get a good idea of what your personal triggers are, so you can minimize or avoid them. (credit:John Fedele via Getty Images)
You Can Relieve Symptoms(07 of11)
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While the best protection is to avoid rosacea flare ups, Dr. Waibel advised, you do have options for relieving the symptoms of the condition and reducing side effects like skin irritation. Moisturizers can soothe irritated or burning skin, she said, and there are some that contain ingredients with skin-soothing and redness-reducing properties. Look for non-drying products free of alcohol and astringents, the CDA recommends, and use a mild cleanser and avoid scrubbing or rubbing your skin. (credit:Brand New Images via Getty Images)
Don’t Forget Sun Protection(08 of11)
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Along with all the other reasons to protect your skin from the possible harm that comes from UV exposure, it’s important for people with rosacea to wear sunscreen because sunlight is a common trigger, Dr. Waibel advised. The CDA recommends using SPF 30 or higher every day. (credit:Nikki Bidgood via Getty Images)
Watch For Rhinophyma(09 of11)
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A rare condition related to rosacea is rhinophyma — this is when the skin on the nose becomes thick, swollen, and bumpy. This occurs most often when rosacea is left untreated, which is one more reason why it’s important to avoid triggers and treat the symptoms of the condition. (credit:Ingram Publishing via Getty Images)
Dermatologists Can Help(10 of11)
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A dermatologist could help you relieve the symptoms of your rosacea and avoid future flare ups. There are topical creams that can help, Dr. Waibel advised, and others find success with low-dose antibiotics and medications like Accutane. (Keep in mind that the use of Accutane is heavily restricted and not for everyone.) Dr. Waibel has seen success treating patients in her clinic with lasers, specifically the Pulse Dye Laser. "The Pulse Dye Laser, commonly referred to as PDL, targets red blood vessels and causes them to decrease over time with several treatments,” she said. (credit:NinaMalyna via Getty Images)
Watch Your Mood(11 of11)
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Nearly three-quarters of rosacea patients report low self-esteem, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association. The same number have also felt that the visible symptoms of the condition affects their careers. Successfully controlling the symptoms of the condition leads to improvements in the mental and emotional well-being of patients, the CDA reported, which is another reason to seek help for rosacea. And if the condition has affected your own self esteem or mental or emotional health, talk to your doctor about counselling options. (credit:Cameron Whitman via Getty Images)