10 tips to get rid of rosacea

The beautiful days are back and so is the desire to go out. The sun’s rays warm the skin but you feel it changing and see some redness then pimples or lumps appear. Don’t wait any longer, you may be subject to rosacea. We will give you all our advice to best manage these flare-ups and support you towards a elimination of rosacea.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin disease that mainly affects fair and mature skin. It is often women aged 30 to 60 who see red or pink lesions appear on the center of their face: these are blood vessels that dilate following an external aggression. Men are less affected by this phenomenon, while in children it can manifest as ocular rosacea combined with ophthalmological symptoms. Be careful, it is not because white skin is mostly affected that black skin is absolutely not. Indeed, due to the pigmentation of black skin, redness is difficult to observe and rosacea is often mistaken for acne. However, the remedies used are not the same. About 5% of the French population is affected by rosacea, in Switzerland it is said to be several hundred thousand people (Source Revmed.ch)

There are several forms of rosacea, and depending on the severity or type you suffer from, it can manifest as:

• Flushes: redness on the face, whether they remain or disappear quickly.
• Couperose
• Pimples (In the form of papulopustular rosacea)
• Ocular rosacea
• Phymas (thickening of the skin at the level of the sebaceous glands, more common on the nose, known as rhinophyma)

What are the types of rosacea?

Rosacea can be divided into 4:

Defined as the first symptom of rosacea, these are small rednesses that appear and disappear quickly on the face. It can also be a permanent redness on the nose, cheeks, or forehead. These rednesses can make the skin dry, tight, or even develop a tingling or burning sensation. These rednesses can also be accompanied by the appearance of small vessels, this is called telangiectasias or couperose. Red lines will remain visible when the skin redness subsides. 

Pimples take over the face, they can be hard or filled with pus. Telangiectasias, also called couperose can intensify and the redness on the face is very marked.

This form of rosacea is the most pronounced, it is the enlargement of the sebaceous glands of the nose and a more marked dilation of the skin pores. It can make the skin rough and bumpy. Phymatous rosacea mainly affects men over 50 years old, however there is no miracle solution to eliminate it, only surgery can be performed. 

As its name implies, it is the eyes that are affected by this form of rosacea. This results in eyelid irritation, red and dry eyes, increased sensitivity to light. Frequent conjunctivitis can also be a sign.

You need to be vigilant and consult if you have doubts. Since ocular rosacea can be a warning sign of future skin lesions but especially trigger a loss of vision if not followed by qualified professionals.

Rosacea can be diagnosed by your dermatologist even if you do not present all these symptoms.

The origins of rosacea 

As indicated above, rosacea is mainly contracted by people with fair skin. Redness will appear on the complexion and here are the main reasons:

• heat or cold: significant temperature variations that will surprise the skin which will defend itself against this aggression and therefore redden.
• excessive exposure to UV: fair skin often prone to sunburn will see a greater impact appear on their skin as soon as protection is insufficient.

Although the reasons are mostly related to the external environment, actions can also cause the skin to react quickly. 

• the consumption of spicy products: necessarily in the presence of a food releasing heat and those inside the body itself, the latter can only react!
• Alcohol consumption also causes facial redness that may not fade if it is too excessive
• Rapid temperature changes during a shower are also a sensitizing factor for the skin. It reacts if it is too hot but also too cold.
• An active sign of infection or illness, fever also triggers redness of the facial skin
• Heredity can also play a role in the development of rosacea.
• Demodex folliculorum, a tiny mite the size of a seed living on our epidermis, is an important vector in the development of rosacea. Why? This giant of the microscopic world feeds on excess sebum from the skin. This can be seen as a good point, it’s true, however, due to the absence of a digestive system, the mite dies quickly after feeding and ends its life in the sebaceous glands near hair follicles. These bacteria also perish and release inflammatory proteins causing an immune response that manifests as couperose.

Finally, the use of certain cosmetics in facial care also impacts your skin’s reaction. For example, sudden redness and skin eruptions after using a cosmetic product? It’swas that it was not suitable for your sensitive skin. It probably contained alcohol, irritating products like perfume, or chemicals which are products to avoid to eliminate rosacea. 

How to treat rosacea?

Unfortunately, there is no miracle solution to make rosacea disappear. To best treat it, it must be diagnosed quickly for better management. However, to reduce its appearance and the discomfort it causes, there are some tips you can implement daily. 

Things to avoid and good habits to adopt to reduce rosacea 

Diet: Simple little things that will make a big difference:

1. Spicy food: yes, we love little salsa nights with friends but be careful not to spice up your plate too much, keep some mild foods that won’t raise your temperature too much.

2. Also reduce your alcohol consumption which also promotes the dilation of blood vessels on the surface of your face

3. Omegas and vitamins will be your friends: add to your menus foods rich in trace elements such as fish, fresh vegetables and fruits, or even almonds.

4. Certain foods can have a real impact on the skin. By eliminating some of them, you may see a significant improvement not only in the quality of your skin but in your entire body. It is recommended to consult a dietitian or a naturopath who will support you in this new approach

Lifestyle: It is not necessary to disrupt it but just to integrate new activities or restrict others

5. Favor sun exposure with a sun protection and this even in winter : to facilitate application, especially in winter, you can include a moisturizing cream with a minimum SPF 30 against UVA and UVB in your routine. Yes, a tanned complexion is beautiful, and you can continue to tan even while protecting your skin daily. Also remember to hydrate your skin after all exposures and not only with care products but also by drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day. 

6. Avoid and eliminate as much as possible skin disruptors from your foundation, care, and shower routine. Favor natural products without alcohol, fragrance, menthol, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and focus on skin cleansing in as few steps as possible to reduce aggressions to your skin.

7. For cleansing and makeup removal, you can use oily products like oils or balms followed by a gentle cleanser. Use a separate towel to limit movement, the appearance, and activity of new germs on your skin.

8. To soothe redness and sensations of heat, you can incorporate oils or treatments containing them into your routine, notably: hemp oil, safflower oil, or tamanu oil. Of course, we also advise you to turn to cosmetics specially developed for redness.

9. In the shower, avoid using water that is too hot or too cold to reduce sudden temperature changes that are too harsh for the skin. 

Stress management

10. It is essential not to blame yourself if rosacea persists; as a reminder, the cause is often 40% genetic. It is also important to consult professionals in the field for appropriate support. Don’t isolate yourself, talk about it; there are surgical options to reduce or eliminate redness, but it will gradually return after some time. Activities such as yoga can help you relax and externalize the side effects rosacea may cause. Moreover, choosing a gentle activity allows you to slow down your pace and focus on what suits you best. Take time for yourself!

OlieNeela supports you towards a more natural routine to reduce the negative impact of processed cosmetics on your skin. Feel free to check out our products made in Switzerland to create your adapted routine. 

Olie Neela, with a lot of love xoxo