Essential Skincare Ingredients to Avoid and Embrace for Rosacea Care

What Skincare Ingredients To Avoid If You Have Rosacea?

Having rosacea is certainly no walk in the park.

With various factors that contribute to a flare-up of red, uneven and bumpy texture, rosacea is a skin concern which has no impact on your health, but a great one on your self-confidence.

We have taken some time to look into some of the skincare ingredients that are best to avoid when suffering from rosacea, so let’s dive in.

What ingredients to avoid when suffering from rosacea?

There are a few ingredients to avoid when suffering from rosacea;

Alcohol, Fragrance, Menthol, Witch Hazel, Eucalyptus

These are some of the ingredients that can have an effect on your skin when you have rosacea.

It may seem confusing due to the fact some of them are considered natural or derived from natural sources, here is a closer look into why it’s best to avoid these ingredients.

Alcohol

Using skincare containing alcohol may have some benefits for those who have an oily or blemish-prone skin type, the same can’t be said for those who suffer from rosacea or have sensitive skin.

The effects of the alcohol include skin becoming tight, uncomfortable and very dry, with damage caused to the outer layers of the skin making it unable to naturally replenish itself.

With these effects, there are a huge number of problems that can accelerate making the skin appear dull, inflamed and showing various signs of ageing with fine lines and wrinkles.

Unfortunately for many of you alcohol isn’t just a concern in your skincare products, even consuming it, particularly wine will lead to rosacea flare-ups.

Fragrance

We are all guilty of giving skincare products a quick sniff, even if the label claims to be fragrance-free.

You wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to use products that have a pleasant odour and thankfully, many natural ingredients formulated into products have a great scent.

It is the synthetic fragrance added to mixtures to create an overall scent for the product or to hide any unpleasant-smelling ingredients used that can create a number of concerns for rosacea sufferers.

Finding out whether a formula has any fragrance can be a tricky task as there are a lot of different names and types used throughout the beauty industry.

The best approach would be to find a skincare product you would like to try and research it in more detail using various websites or forums of others who suffer from rosacea.

You can also seek help from a dermatologist or GP for further advice.

Menthol

You will regularly find menthol in products that have been formulated for blemish-prone and oily skin types as it’s clean, slight tingling sensation is favoured.

However, menthol is alcohol and as we have previously discussed, alcohol for sensitive skin types with rosacea is a no go and can trigger a flare-up and facial redness.

Witch Hazel

Yes, witch hazel is a natural ingredient and you’re probably wondering if it’s made its way onto this list by accident.

Though it is praised highly for its astringent and antioxidant properties during its distillation process it is mixed with alcohol, therefore, making it highly reactive for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.

Though some short-term skin concerns can be effectively treated with the help of witch hazel, you may find that this could lead to a number of issues in the long-term.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is packed with antibacterial properties and can help soothe and treat skin with great ease, there is an important factor to remember, and that is eucalyptus is a very potent,

fragranced oil and should be avoided by anyone who suffers from rosacea to prevent any redness.

There you have some common skincare ingredients that are best to be avoided when suffering from rosacea.

Though it may feel quite complicated to figure out whether your products have these reactive ingredients in them or not, we suggest keeping note of the products you use daily.

Perhaps make notes of the steps in your routine and if you find yourself having a reaction refer to your notes to help you come to a conclusion on which product could be causing the flare-up.

What 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 will benefit your skin by keeping it soothed, calmed and free from redness.

Azelaic Acid

Though it is one of the lesser-known acids, azelaic is a remarkable ingredient and very effective at calming and soothing redness, be it from breakouts, such as spots, or rosacea.

Burning can be a result of using azelaic acid, but it is known to very rarely cause dryness and itching to the skin making it an ingredient that will benefit those with a sensitive skin type and prone to rosacea.

It is always best to ask for your GP about a product before using it if you are unsure or apprehensive. Check out our post about all about azelaic acid and what it does for the skin over on the blog.

Cosmeceuticals

These products are found over the counter and contain a few biologically active ingredients that have the ability to treat and manage your rosacea.

Green tea and niacinamide are two of the most common used to help relieve the discomfort caused by rosacea.

There is a post about the skincare benefits of niacinamide over on the blog should you wish to find out more.

What should I wash my face with if I have rosacea?

The key to washing your face if you have rosacea is to keep things gentle, from the pressure you use to the ingredients in your skincare products.

By maintaining a well-balanced and correct routine you will find:

Your skin remains comfortable for longer periods of time

You will find a boost to your skin’s overall health

You will find a reduction in rosacea flare-ups

Here are some simple steps to remember to keep your routine looking after your skin properly,

Cleanse your face twice a day

But remember to keep it gentle! Avoid products with the ingredients mentioned above and that also include foaming agents such as SLS.

Cleansing balms and milk used with warm water and your fingers are the best at keeping the skin fully cleansed and happy.

Moisturise everyday

By keeping on top of your moisturising not only are you preventing your skin from becoming dry, but you will also ensure your skin’s protective barrier remains fully functioning

and able to combat any free radicals or other skin-damaging molecules that come into combat with your face every day causing signs of ageing, breakouts and flare-ups.

Use an SPF every day

Rosacea flare-ups will not be helped by giving the SPF a miss, even if the day looks a little overcast, skin harming UV rays are able to penetrate through and come into contact with your skin.

To prevent any further damage it is best to apply an SPF of 30 and above every day.

Always test your products

You will get a better understanding of whether your skin will react from a product if you always ensure you perform a test before applying it all over the skin.

You can opt for a patch test, with a small amount applied to the inner arm and left for 24 hours when this time has passed and there are no signs of any reaction you can then use the product on your face.

So, there is some more information on which ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea and some advice on how to look after any flare-ups you could be currently suffering from.

As we have already mentioned before, if you have any concerns with your skin or introducing a new product into your routine finding a dermatologist to assist you will be for the best idea

and after they examine your skin, they will help identify your skin’s needs.

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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