Which ingredients in skincare products should you avoid if you have rosacea?

Having rosacea is definitely not a walk in the park. Rosacea is a skin condition caused by a number of factors that causes redness, bumps, and lumps on the skin. While it has no impact on your health, it can have a big impact on your self-confidence.

We took the time to look at some of the ingredients in skincare products that are best to avoid if you have rosacea. So let’s take a deeper look.

Which ingredients should you avoid if you have rosacea?

There are some ingredients you should avoid if you have rosacea:

Alcohol

Perfume

Menthol

Witch hazel

Eucalyptus

These ingredients may affect your skin if you have rosacea. This may seem confusing because some of them are considered natural or come from natural sources. Here’s a closer look at why these ingredients are best avoided.

Alcohol

Using skincare products that contain alcohol may have some benefits for people with oily or blemish-prone skin, but this is not the case for people with rosacea or sensitive skin. The effects of alcohol include skin becoming tight, uncomfortable and very dry, with the outer layer of the skin damaged and unable to regenerate naturally. These effects can accelerate a variety of problems, making the skin appear dull and inflamed, and various signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles appear. Unfortunately, for many people, alcohol is not just a problem in skincare products, drinking alcohol, especially wine, can also cause rosacea flare-ups.

Fragrance

We often take a quick sniff at skincare products, even if the label says they are fragrance-free. If you want to use products with a pleasant smell, you won’t be offended, and fortunately, many natural ingredients used in products have great fragrances. It is synthetic fragrances that are added to the mix to give the product an overall smell or to hide bad smelling ingredients that can cause many problems for rosacea sufferers.

Determining whether a formula contains fragrance can be a tricky task, as there are many different names and types used throughout the beauty industry. The best thing to do is to choose a skincare product you want to try and do more detailed research from other rosacea sufferers on various websites or forums. You can also ask a dermatologist or GP for advice.

Menthol

You’ll often find menthol in products designed for acne-prone and oily skin types because its clean, slightly tingling feel is preferred. However, menthol is alcohol, and as we’ve already discussed, alcohol is a no-no for sensitive skin types with rosacea and can trigger rashes and facial redness.

Witch Hazel

Yes, witch hazel is a natural ingredient, and you might be wondering if it made it onto this list by accident. Although it’s highly praised for its astringent and antioxidant properties, it’s mixed with alcohol during the distillation process, making it very sensitive to sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. While using witch hazel can be effective in treating some short-term skin issues, it can cause a host of problems in the long run.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is rich in antibacterial properties that can easily soothe and heal the skin. However, there’s one important factor to keep in mind: eucalyptus is a very potent fragrance oil that anyone with rosacea should avoid to prevent redness.

So there you have it, some common skin care ingredients that are best avoided if you suffer from rosacea. Although it may seem rather complicated to figure out if your products contain these reactive ingredients, we recommend that you take note of the products you use every day. Perhaps jot down the steps in your daily routine and if you notice a reaction, look through your notes to find out which products may have caused a breakout.

Which ingredients are good for rosacea?

Whether your rosacea is mild or severe, it is always a good idea to use skincare products that contain ingredients that soothe the skin and keep it from getting red.

Azelaic acid

Although azelaic acid is a lesser-known acid, it is a phenomenal ingredient that is very effective for calming and soothing redness, whether it is from pimples or breakouts such as rosacea. Using azelaic acid can cause a burning sensation, but it is known to rarely cause dry skin and itching, so it is a beneficial ingredient for people with sensitive skin and those prone to rosacea. If you are unsure or concerned, you should ask your GP for advice on the product before using it. Read our article on azelaic acid and its effects on the skin in the blog.

Cosmeceuticals

These products are available over the counter and contain some bioactive ingredients that can treat and control rosacea. Green tea and niacinamide are two of the most commonly used remedies for relieving the discomfort caused by rosacea. If you want to learn more, there is a post on the blog about the benefits of niacinamide for skin care.

What face wash should I use if I have rosacea?

The key to face washing for rosacea is to be gentle, from the pressure you use to the ingredients in your skincare. By following a balanced and correct routine, you will notice:

Your skin will stay comfortable for longer

Your overall skin health will improve

Your rosacea flare-ups will be less frequent

Here are some simple steps to maintain a proper skin care routine:

Wash your face twice a day

But remember to be gentle! Avoid products with the ingredients listed above and those that also contain foaming agents like SLS. Cleansers and face washes, applied with warm water and fingers, are the best way to thoroughly cleanse and nourish your skin.

Daily Moisturizer

Applying a face cream regularly will not only prevent your skin from drying out, but it will also ensure that your skin’s protective barrier remains fully functioning and can fight any free radicals or other skin-damaging molecules that clash with your face on a daily basis and cause signs of aging, acne, and lead to breakouts.

Use SPF Daily

Not using SPF will not prevent rosacea breakouts. Even if the weather looks a little cloudy, skin-damaging UV rays can penetrate and contact your skin. To prevent further damage, it’s best to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day.

Always Test Your Products

You’ll have a better idea of whether your skin will react to a product if you always test it before applying it all over your skin. You can do a patch test by applying a small amount to the inside of your arm and leaving it on for 24 hours. Once this time has passed and there are no signs of a reaction, you can use the product on your face.

Below is more information on what ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea, as well as advice on what to do if you currently have any rosacea. As mentioned above, if you have skin issues or are using new products in your daily routine, it’s best to consult a dermatologist who can help you determine your skin’s needs after examining your skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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