Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects females and it is even more common for those with fair skin and are above 30 years old. If you notice that the skin on your face is regularly getting red, flushes and ultra-sensitive, it is a sign to seek help from a professional.
A slow, gentle approach is key to getting Rosacea under control and these are 6 important considerations when building a rosacea-friendly skincare routine.
Symptoms of Rosacea
Some common symptoms include:
- Sensitive skin that reacts quickly to the sun, skincare products or even water
- Feelings of dryness on the nose and cheeks, and even flakiness
- Redness on the face
- Burning skin
- Acne
- Visible blood vessels on the surface of their skin
It is ultra vital to seek professional help. Your skin is part of the body and a professional can diagnose any problems and recommend the best course of action.
The Best Skincare Tips for Rosacea
Know Your Triggers
Understanding what triggers your skin is key to preventing flare-ups and improve symptoms. Triggers vary from person to person but some common ones include:
- Stress
- The climate - heat, cold or even the wind
- Pollution and sunlight
- Skincare that may not be compatible with the skin
- Certain foods like dairy, spicy food and chocolate
These triggers help you understand what you can do to prevent and control rosacea - but it may be insufficient if the flare-up has already occurred, or avoidance is simply not enough.
Cleanse Your Skin Gently
Whether you have sensitive skin or not - always treat your skin gently. Over-cleansing can irritate even normal skin because your skin's natural oils are stripped away and your skin is left without its protective film. This can damage the skin barrier and lead to sensitive skin.
When treating rosacea, cleansing gently, thoroughly and correctly is even more important. Keep your skin clean by cleansing twice a day with water and a gentle cleanser. Avoid cleansers with harsh exfoliating ingredients and apply gently.
Our favourite cleanser that is gentle and suitable for even sensitive skin:
On contact with water, this gel transforms into a refreshing foam that effectively removes all impurities. It removes makeup and the impurities of the day gently (pollutants, dirt, sun filters, etc.) to reveal fresh, revitalized skin at the end of a long day. Perfect for those who prefer refreshing foam textures.
It contains Vitamins A and E (encapsulated in cellulose beads) to improve cell regeneration.
Keeping the Skin Hydrated and Repair the Skin Barrier
Sensitive skin and many skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, in general, is often caused by extreme dryness. Just as our bodies suffer when we do not drink enough water, our skin can present the lack of hydration in the form of sensitivity.
It is thus extremely important to focus on your skin's hydration and protecting the skin's barrier. This is done by using not just hydrating skin care products, but products that can repair the skin's barrier, preserve the skin's pH and reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Some key things to look out for in moisturisers that treat sensitive skin and rosacea include non-comedogenic products that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and panthenon.
Our favourite sensitive skin moisturiser:
160 Crème SENSI'REPAIR, with its creamy texture, moisturizes, soothes and nourishes the skin to ensure optimal comfort. A combination of innovative active ingredients that include Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E destress and soothes the skin while maintaining its hydration.
Day after day, the skin of the face is soothed, de-stressed and more comfortable. Rebalanced and protected, it becomes more resistant and less sensitive to stress and the environment.
Protecting Your Skin with a Good Sunscreen
Whether you have rosacea or not... this is a non-negotiable! Using sun protection protects the skin from cellular damage and signs of premature ageing - always protect the skin with a good sunscreen. This is even more important for those with rosacea because UV rays can trigger and exacerbate irritation and inflammation.
- Find a good suncreen with at least SPF50: InThis ensures adequate protection against the harsh sunlight. This is even more important in Singapore, where the sun is relentless. Also remember to reapply your suncreen!
- 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.
Our Favourite Sunscreen that is Gentle and Non-greasy
391 Multi-Protection Sunscreen
A perfecting shield from UV rays that is rich in actives and protects skin against even blue light and pollution. A perfect makeup base for even, radiant skin. Shake, then apply as the last step of your skincare ritual.
To preserve the beauty and youthfulness of skin lastingly, Maria Galland Paris has created 391 UNI’PERFECT Multi-Protection Fluid SPF 50+, the perfect “final touch” to your skincare ritual. Its intelligent actives combine all-round protection and a skin-perfecting effect. Skin is protected by the Photo-ProtectMG complex, dark spots are reduced by vitamin B3 and the complexion is evened by extract of white peony.
Avoid Skin Care Products with Ingredients That Can Trigger Your Skin
Your skin is greatly weakened when you have rosacea. It is thus important to avoid skin care products that contain harsh ingredients that can easily irritate and inflame the skin. Some products to avoid include medical-grade skin care products or exfoliating toners as they can worsen the skin's condition.
- Sea buckthorn oil: It nourishes and protects skin that is sensitive and easily prone to irritation.
- Niacinamide: With niacinamide, the cells that make up the layers of the skin have the sufficient building blocks to produce NAD(H) and NADP(H), allowing them to do their jobs optimally. It also helps to modulate the overactive immune response associated with rosacea.
- Hyaluronic acid: One of the primary benefits of hyaluronic acid is its ability to hydrate the skin. This is particularly important for people with rosacea, as dry skin can exacerbate symptoms. Hyaluronic acid helps to lock in moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and preventing dryness.
- Panthenol: Extremely soothing for the skin and keeps it happy and healthy.
Seeking Professional Help
This is key to diagnosing and treating your skin correctly and effectively. The worse case scenario of self-diagnosis is causing your skin to become sensitive when it was not in the first place. Reactive skin can happen due to the use of unsuitable skin care products and is easily treated by stopping usage. However, diagnosing it incorrectly and continuing the use of those products can eventually lead to sensitive skin and underlying coniditions like rosacea.
Professionals will be able to 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.
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. Reach out to our professionals at +6563370060 to book an appointment to see how we can help you today!