Understand Rosacea, the cause & how to treat it.
What is Rosacea?
According to Dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto "Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects the face. It is characterised by redness which usually comes and goes, but it can over time become permanent. Other characteristic features include frequent blushing or flushing, spots that can look like acne and enlarged, visible blood vessels".
Those who suffer also report high skin sensitivity and in some cases develop a thickening of the skin usually on the nose.
London based Dermatologist Dr Kluk identifies four different types of Rosacea.
Erythemato-telangiectactic Rosacea (redness, flushing and dilated blood vessels)
Papulopustular Rosacea (acne-like breakouts)
Phymatous Rosacea (skin swelling and thickening of the nose)
Ocular Rosacea (gritty eyes and swollen lids).
"It often begins with a tendency to flush or blush more easily," says Dr Kluk. "With time, sufferers may develop permanent redness of the nose and cheeks along with a multitude of other unpleasant symptoms, such as pimples, skin dryness and scaling, burning and stinging, and sensitivity to multiple skincare products."
What is the cause of Rosacea?
Dr Mahto reports that "Rosacea remains poorly understood. We still do not know the exact cause, although there are several hypothesized factors, including hyper-reactive blood vessels that dilate more easily than they should. Other possibilities include an abnormal immune response in the skin."
Known triggers are sun exposure, wind, extreme temperature change, stress, strenuous exercise, hot drinks, spicy food, cheese, alcohol and some skincare products.
How to treat Rosacea
Unfortunately there is no cure, Rosacea is a chronic disease that goes through cycles of remission. Treatment comes in the form of topical creams and gels containing azelaic acid, ivermectin, brimonidine and metronidazole as well as oral medication and laser and light treatment.
Rosacea can be controlled and calmed by skincare, especially formulated for sensitive and reactive skin. The best known skincare brands for sensitive and reactive skin are
It is also absolutely crucial that you wear a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of 30, daily through every season (come rain or shine) as any UV exposure can drive the condition.
Recommended Products
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 30ml £4.24
Found in grains, Azelaic Acid is produced naturally by yeast that lives on normal skin. It brightens the skin tone while visibly improving the evenness of skin texture and reducing the look of blemishes and rosacea. It is a multi-functional support ingredient for all skin types and also acts as an effective antioxidant. This formula offers a very high 10% concentration of high-purity Azelaic Acid in a lightweight cream-gel system.
Azeclear Azelaic Acid Serum A15 30ml £24.99
A plant-based serum formulated with 15% azelaic acid to target acne, blemishes, dark spots and rosacea.
Found in wheat, rye and barley, azelaic acid is a nature-identical antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation. Clinical studies show that azelaic acid gels can minimise the appearance of swelling and visible blood vessels caused by rosacea (more info).
Azelaic acid has a different kind of action to alpha and beta hydroxy acids, so you can use it alongside AHA and BHA products. Keeping in mind that these are powerful actives, we recommend that any new acids should be introduced gradually into your skin regimen.
Makeup
Makeup can do a very good job of camouflaging Rosacea. It's best to use mineral based makeup and use a green tinted skin corrector underneath your foundation to cancel out redness. Some of my favorite products are listed below.
SPF
Skin Correctors
Foundation
I'd love to know what your tried and tested go to products are?
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