In this post, we will discuss Rosacea, common symptoms, and the best Rosacea Treatment.
“Are you wearing blush ?” I am sure every Rosacea sufferer has been asked this. Where it can be cute to have rosy cheeks. Dealing with rosacea can be a nightmare.
Dry, flakey sore skin with irrational flareups all mixed in with a love- hate relationship with skincare products is just the start. Not to mention having to constantly avoid spicy foods and embarrasing situations. It is not uncommon for chronic skin conditions to even lead to depression and anxiety.
Having come across hundreads of cases of Rosacea, I will break down the most important things you need to know about rosacea, including the most common symptoms, likely triggers, potential underlying causes, and the best rosacea treatment as well as the more uncommon types of Rosacea.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition which can occur on the face and affects all skin types. It can show up as persistent redness, visible blood vessels and sometimes with pus filled acne like spots.
It is one of the most common skin conditions and can be easily misdiagnosed for
What Are The Symptoms Of Rosacea?
There are four main symptoms of rosacea. These can be persistent flushing of the face mainly around the nose and cheeks, visible blood vessels or thread veins, red spots which can contain puss and thickening of the skin, which can also appear as bumps.
Suffers of rosacea can present with different combinations of symptoms.
Less common symptoms typically can include pimples around or on the nose, inflammation, and swelling of the eye and eyelid area. Some individuals can also find swelling of the face and eyelids, stinging, itching, and a burning sensation on the skin. These can commonly be mistaken for acne, eczema, or an allergic reaction
Rosacea is also more common in women but the symptoms in men tend to be more severe. Men are more likely to be affected by severe redness or the nos and thickening of the skin here. Rosacea also tends to be a lot more common in fairer skin tones. It develops later in life and is most common between the ages of 30 and 50.
What Makes Rosacea Worse?
Rosacea can be made worse by some very common factors, figuring out what these are for you and avoiding them can help to manage the condition.
Common triggers for Rosacea include:
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Cheese
- Caffeine
- Hot drinks
- Aerobic exercise like running
- Sun exposure
- Exposure to UV light
Other triggers can include feeling stressed, some Rosacea sufferers can recall becoming very blushed when put on the spot for example when being picked on by a teacher. Extremes of temperature such as extreme cold or hot can also trigger Rosacea.
Finding the right skincare can be very tricky when you have Rosacea. Rosacea makes the skin more sensitive to topical products and can lead to irritation. Common culprits in skincare can include Alcohol, AHA’s ( glycolic acid, lactic acid), fragranced products and products containing Sodium lauryl Sulfate.
Anyone experiencing Rosacea can often benefit from using gentle and mild (oil-free and non-comedogenic) facial cleansers and moisturizers, and regular SPF.
What Is The Best Rosacea Treatment?
1. Azelaic Acid For Rosacea
Azelaic Acid has proven to be very helpful in mild to moderate rosacea that has acne like bumps. It has anti-bacterial properties that can reduce acne like flare ups in rosacea.
For more on this powerful and under-rated ingredient check out THE 7 BEST AZELAIC ACID SERUMS FOR ACNE
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
This wonderful product from The Ordinary contains azelaic acid at a concentration of 10%. This product is light and easily absorbed by the skin. Additionally, it’s non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t clog your pores or make rosacea flare up.
Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
This award-winning booster from Paula’s Choice contains azelaic acid at a concentration of 10%. Additionally, it contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which are both excellent ingredients for keeping the skin hydrated. This product is light and easily absorbed by the skin.
Niaciamide For Rosacea
Niacinamide is vitamin b3, it is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient and is often used first line in Rosacea.The good news is that it has been found to be very effective at just 4% which is available without a prescription. It can also be used in combination with azelaic acid for better results or where there is rosacea with acne like bumps.
Niacinamide has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce redness seen in rosacea but also in acne, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. It helps to calm down redness, irritation and inflammation.
For more on Niacinamide check out WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE? | 11 BEST NIACINAMIDE PRODUCTS FOR FLAWLESS SKIN
Is There A Cure For Rosacea?
The causes of Rosacea are not fully understood, environmental factors play a role and genetics can also impact it. Having a family history of the condition and those of Scandinavian descent are thought to be more prone.
Women are also more likely but it presents as more severe in men.
There is no known cure for rosacea but there are effective treatments that can help to minimise the symptoms. This may include needing an prescription for antibiotics and topical medications
Some people also find laser treatment to be an effective solution to calm down redness and flushing.
What Can I Use For Rosacea In Pregnancy?
Hormononal changes during pregnancy can lead to Rosacea flare ups. Where some ingredients are not suitable and will only be prescribed if deemed very necessary, niacinamide and azelaic have often been used in pregnancy. It is always best to speak to your doctor or pharmacist when starting any new treatment in pregnancy.
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