Your skin is a little rosy and you're a bit fed up with it. It flushes and blushes and sometimes feels bumpy in texture, you're at your wit's end and not much seems to make it better. Chances are you have rosacea.
What causes it?
Rosacea is a very common skin condition that has baffled specialists. There isn't any one specific cause that we can pinpoint and there is certainly no miracle cure. What we do know is that there are specific elements that bring about the flushing for many people. Alcohol, spicy foods, changes in temperature, sun exposure, some medications, emotional upsets and stress all tend to be the enemy of a skin prone to rosacea.
What does it look like?
The condition comes in many forms and ranges from very mild flushing, mainly over the nose and cheek area, to severe rhinophyma, which is a swelling of the connective tissue and sebaceous glands in the nose causing it to appear uneven and bulbous in extreme cases, men are more prone to this kind of rosacea.
It is often referred to as Acne rosacea due to the red, irritated and uneven appearance; however it is not actually a form of acne. Unlike Acne there are no blackheads, whiteheads or open pimples.
Rosacea may begin as mild but persistent flushing, if it worsens it may form papules (raised lumps) and erythema (dilated capillaries that appear very red). If it does get to a severe stage it may affect the eyes leaving them feel irritated, gritty and swollen. This may eventually lead to rhynophyma of the nose.
How do I deal with it?
There are various options for treatment depending on the severity. Lifestyle is a key factor and avoiding the known irritants is your first step. Step two is to look at times when the flushing is worse and are the more irritated periods at times of stress and what is happening in your lifestyle and in your diet. Take a look at a chart of acid and alkaline food groups and look at how many of the foods you're eating are acidic in nature.
Maintaining a healthy skin routine and diet are essential elements in creating balance within the skin and body in order to keep the skin and body calm and balanced. Having the ideal balance of corrective skin care products will also support the skin's health and will work to keep the inflammation down.
Naturopathy may be useful in looking at the body's internal balance, while homeopathy can be beneficial for some in looking at both physical and emotional harmony. Skin professionals will often look at specific corrective treatments to use within a skin program to rebalance the irritated skin.
Other relaxation therapies addressing lifestyle such as massage and yoga may be helpful for general calm and wellbeing (the skin glows when we're emotionally and physically in balance). A combination of the above options is often valuable in treating both body harmony and skin health.
Signs to look for:
• Red flushing over the cheeks and nose
• Skin sensitivity
• Acne-like bumps that are not acne
• Flakey skin, sometimes accompanied by oily skin
• Visible tiny blood vessels
Aggravating factors:
• UV exposure
• Emotional stress
• Body heat changes (exercise)
• Extreme temperature changes (saunas, heating, cooling)
• Digestive disorders
• Diet (alcohol, chocolate, acidic foods)
• Hormonal imbalance
• Skincare ingredients such as: alcohol, benzoyl peroxide, fragrance.
• Rough skin scrubs with angular pieces
Things to look for in skin care:
• Non-fragranced products
• Products specifically for rosacea and sensitized skin
• Calming serums specifically for rosacea and inflamed skin
• Ingredients such as: vitamin K, oat, niacinamide, cucumber, aloe vera, Bisabolol and Teprenone
• Mineral sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (without chemical SPF ingredients and mineral makeup)
Need more rosacea advice or skin recommendations? Contact Allison on the Adore Beauty Forum
