If you live with rosacea, self-care is very important. There’s no cure for this chronic skin condition that causes red (or purple, in darker skin tones) inflamed skin on the face. Treatment for rosacea may include anti-inflammatory medications.
Self-care with rosacea can involve finding over-the-counter treatments that work for you, creating a skin care routine, avoiding triggers, and coping with the emotional impact of the skin condition.
Continue reading to learn more about rosacea self-care, including what skin care routine can help, and how to look after your emotional health during a rosacea flare.
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Rosacea Self-Care for Daily Maintenance
If you have rosacea, your skin is probably very sensitive to skincare products, foods and drinks, and sunlight. It can also be sensitive to emotional stress. Being proactive about your skin care routine and overall health may be helpful.
Here’s how to create a rosacea self-care routine:
Get to Know Your Triggers
Triggers for rosacea can include many ingredients, foods, and drinks. Some common triggers are:
- Sunlight and heat
- Spicy food
- Alcohol (especially wine)
- Medications
- Cold
- Skin care products, like cleansers and moisturizers
- Makeup
- Exercise
- Stress and anxiety
Keeping a journal of your symptoms can help you determine what your triggers are that bring on a flare and cause your rosacea symptoms to get worse. Then, you can avoid them where possible.
Wear Sunscreen
Sunlight is a major trigger for rosacea. Because of that, people with rosacea should wear a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 every day to avoid sun damage to their face that can trigger rosacea.
It’s important to apply sunscreen even in cooler weather. A moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher can be very beneficial in treating dry skin as well as protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays. If you’re going to be out in the sun, add a wide-brimmed hat for even more protection.
Some sunscreens might irritate your skin. Try choosing one that is fragrance free and has these ingredients:
- Mineral sunscreen, including zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
- Silicone, which may be listed as dimethicone or cyclomethicone
Say No to Harsh Ingredients
Using gentle products is crucial if you have rosacea. Dermatologists recommend that people with rosacea avoid products that contain:
- Alcohol
- Camphor
- Fragrance
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Menthol
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Urea
People with rosacea should never use an astringent or toner since these products can irritate the skin. In most cases, avoid soap, opting for a gentle cleanser instead.
Choose the Right Ingredients
Select products that are gentle on the skin, such as those with the following properties:
- Won’t clog pores (look for words like "noncomedogenic")
- Are made for sensitive skin
- Are a cream, rather than a gel or lotion
Wash Your Face Twice Per Day
If you have rosacea, wash your face with a gentle cleaner twice each day. This will remove dirt and oil that can irritate your skin. Massage a gentle cleanser onto your skin using your fingertips, then rinse it off with warm water.
Moisturize After Washing
After you wash your face, apply your rosacea cream, if you have one. Then, moisturize, whether you’re using medication or not. This is important for all skin types with rosacea, not just dry skin. In fact, applying moisturizer can reduce the feeling of oily skin and irritation.
Use Makeup, If You Wish
Makeup can help hide the blemishes from rosacea. Some people choose to wear makeup for that reason, although if you don’t want to that’s fine too.
If you do choose to wear concealer, find one that is water-based or a powder, since these are less likely to irritate your skin.
Manage Your Stress
Stress can cause rosacea to flare, and having rosacea can be stressful. Find stress management techniques that work for you, including mindfulness, exercise, or just relaxing with a good book.
Work With Your Dermatologist
There are prescription medications that can be used to treat rosacea, including topical cream, and laser, and light treatments. If you have this condition, find a dermatologist. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of medications.
Caring for Mental Health During Rosacea Flares
Living with rosacea can be difficult, especially when you experience a flare. It’s never helpful to hear the advice “don’t stress,” but try to remember that stress can make rosacea worse. Instead of worrying about what you can’t control, focus on what you can control, such as your skin care routine. Remember that gentle care can go a long way in making you look and feel better soon.
In addition, research shows that people with rosacea are more likely than the general population to experience anxiety and depression. Treating mental illnesses can actually help with symptoms of rosacea.
It’s also important to get enough sleep if you have rosacea, especially when you’re having a flare. Sleep disturbances can make symptoms worse, and people with rosacea often have trouble sleeping. Create a sleep hygiene routine that works for you, and talk with your healthcare provider about any persistent trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
Rosacea Prescription Alternatives
Treating rosacea is often more about what you don’t put on your skin than what you do. Avoiding harsh chemicals, fragrances, and anything else that irritates your skin will help a lot. So will using gentle cleansers and moisturizers that don’t have fragrance or pore-clogging ingredients.
Still, there are some over-the-counter treatments for rosacea with ingredients that can help, including sulfur, retinol, and sodium sulfacetamide. (All of these are also available in prescription products). Since skin with rosacea is so sensitive, you should talk to your dermatologist before you start taking any of these products, even if they are readily available over the counter.
Using Prescriptions to Complement Rosacea Self-Care
Prescription medicines for rosacea can also help. You should use these in addition to your self-care routine. The prescription medications used to treat rosacea include topical creams and gels that address redness, and oral medications that address bumps and breakouts.
As always, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider about the treatment options that are best for you. Remember, prescription medications are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to treating rosacea, and self-care is still important even if you use medications too.
Summary
Rosacea self-care is very important for minimizing symptoms and living well with this condition. Taking care of yourself with rosacea involves taking care of your skin, but also your overall health. Minimizing stress, treating any mental health conditions, and getting enough sleep can all help control rosacea symptoms.
Create a gentle skin care routine that involves cleansing twice each day, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen every day. Avoid your triggers—which might be food, alcohol, or certain ingredients—and learn how to help yourself feel confident, even when you have symptoms.
