Gentle Skincare Routine to Calm and Protect Rosacea-Prone Skin

Skincare for Rosacea Is a Game-Changer: 6 Steps to Achieve Calm, Protected Skin

If you’ve recently noticed that the skin on your face keeps getting red and flushed and is feeling ultra-sensitive, there’s a chance you could be dealing with an inflammatory skin condition called rosacea. If you are, don’t be alarmed: This condition is common, and while you can’t completely cure it, you can keep it under control by avoiding things that irritate your skin, taking medication when necessary, and adjusting your skincare routine. To get you up to speed on the latter, we asked two board-certified dermatologists for their top tips on skincare for rosacea, and they emphasized taking a gentle, hydrating approach. Read on to learn the six most important considerations when building a rosacea-friendly skincare routine, from which products to use to when to involve a derm.

Meet the Experts

Purvisha Patel, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates in Memphis and Visha Skincare.

Deeptej Singh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sandia Dermatology.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Curious if rosacea is something you may be experiencing? When someone has this common skin condition, they might have symptoms like:

Sensitive skin

Dry nose and cheeks

Flushing or blushing

Redness on their face

Burning skin

Acne

Visible blood vessels on the surface of their skin

Of course, many of these symptoms may be due to other causes, so your best bet for knowing for sure whether you have rosacea is to get your dermatologist’s opinion. Still, many of the top skincare tips for rosacea involve a gentle, pared-back approach, so it’s usually safe to give them a try whether or not you have a diagnosis.

The Best Skincare Tips for Rosacea

of 06

Know Your Triggers

To establish a skincare routine that won’t further aggravate rosacea-prone skin, start by understanding your triggers, or the factors that cause your symptoms to flare up. These triggers can vary from person to person, but some of the most common include stress, heat, cold, wind, alcohol, pollution, sunlight, select skincare and haircare products, and foods like dairy, chocolate, and spicy food.1 When exposed to these triggers, your skin may become irritated and inflamed, so if you know what typically causes your rosacea to flare, you’ll want to do your best to avoid them.

While avoiding triggers can be helpful, keep in mind that this method isn’t exactly foolproof. “For some patients, controlling rosacea is possible through diligent trigger avoidance,” says board-certified dermatologist Deeptej Singh, MD. “However, others may find that avoiding triggers alone is not sufficient to manage their condition.”

of 06

Practice Gentle Cleansing

When you’re dealing with rosacea, gentle cleansing is a non-negotiable—mainly because your skin is inflamed and you don’t want to do anything that will irritate it even more. “Over-cleansing can lead to irritation,” Singh says. “It’s often more about removing cosmetic products applied to the skin than addressing an inherent need for cleaning.”

Board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, suggests cleansing twice a day using lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, emphasizing that those with rosacea should avoid scrubbing. Singh says that how often to cleanse your skin can vary depending on your skin and symptoms—so make sure to check in with your derm and to regularly assess how your skin is feeling. “Rosacea differs in type and severity among individuals, and a person’s tolerance for cleansing can change over time,” he tells us. Below are some tips on choosing a gentle cleanser:

Choose a gentle formula: Look for cleansers and soaps that say they are gentle or suitable for sensitive skin, such as Cetaphil or Cerave face wash.

Look for niacinamide: Cleansers that contain niacinamide can be helpful for some people with rosacea. This ingredient has the potential to reduce inflammation and help protect the skin from environmental stressors.

Consider certain synthetic ingredients: Cleansers made of synthetic detergent (rather than soap) can be helpful in reducing rosacea symptoms for some because they may be less irritating. This may sound counterintuitive, but the acidic pH of these types of cleansers could align better with your skin’s natural acidity.

of 06

Focus on Hydration and Barrier Repair

Moisturizing is really important for people with rosacea, as it has several potential benefits including barrier repair, maintaining the skin’s microbiome, and preserving the pH balance. “Moisturizing the skin helps decrease inflammation and can help with the itching and discomfort from rosacea,” Patel explains. “It [also] repairs the barrier so the nerves are not exposed to air.”

Looking for a moisturizer that’s safe for your rosacea-prone skin? The dermatologists we spoke with recommend trying a product that’s non-comedogenic, pH-balanced, and contains ceramides, which help protect and repair the skin. Products with hyaluronic acid or azelaic acid can also be helpful.

of 06

Use a Good SPF

Though sun protection is absolutely essential for everyone, this especially goes for those with rosacea because UV light can be a trigger and exacerbate irritation and inflammation. “By applying sunscreen, you can avoid rosacea becoming inflamed,” Patel says.

As you search for a rosacea-friendly SPF—especially if this is one of your known rosacea triggers—we have a couple tips:

Look for a product that contains SPF 30 or higher: In order to avoid irritation from sunlight, you’ll need adequate protection. It’s best to opt for formulas with SPF 30 or higher, plus be sure to reapply throughout the day.

Opt for mineral formulas: Try to use a physical sunscreen that contains titanium or zinc oxide. Often, these are less likely to contribute to inflammation than chemical sunscreen products.

of 06

Avoid Irritating Products

When you have rosacea, your skin barrier can be compromised, and cosmetics and skincare products that contain harsh ingredients can easily irritate and inflame your skin. For example, “people with rosacea, eczema or a medical skin condition should not use medical-grade skincare products or exfoliating toners, as they could make the condition worse,” Patel says. Instead, she recommends looking for the following ingredients:

Sea buckthorn oil: This can be helpful in healing inflamed skin.

Niacinamide: As mentioned, this ingredient contains soothing and antibacterial/antimicrobial properties, which can be majorly helpful for those with rosacea or otherwise irritated skin.

Hyaluronic acid: This hydrator can help restore moisture without trapping it in.

of 06

Ask Your Dermatologist

Just like when you’re dealing with any other skin condition—especially if you haven’t been diagnosed yet—it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist for any questions and concerns about rosacea. They can assess your symptoms and use their expertise to come up with a treatment plan tailored specifically for you. This step is especially important because the best rosacea treatment isn’t going to be the same for everyone.

Of course, it’s also important to see a doctor to make sure the condition you suspect is actually rosacea. “It’s essential to recognize that not every redness on the face is rosacea,” Singh says. “If treatments are ineffective, it may indicate a need to reevaluate the diagnosis.”

The Final Takeaway

Rosacea can be frustrating and uncomfortable, but the good news is that if you can figure out your triggers and opt for a gentle, simplified routine, it’s possible to minimize some of the irritation. While you’ll want to consult a dermatologist to confirm if you have the condition and see if they have tips on the best routine for you, skincare for rosacea is generally designed to hydrate, protect, and reduce flare-ups, so most of the above steps have the potential to help with a range of sensitivities.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected