Best Products + Skincare Routine for Rosacea

You might be relieved to hear that rosacea is a common skin disease! I have it myself! It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people, but the redness can begin to spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. For some it can affect the the ears, chest, and back with swollen eyelids, red eyes and acne-like breakouts.

Early treatment of rosacea is very important as it continues to progressively worsen over time. Unfortunately, there is not a one size fits all regimen for those with rosacea. There are many different treatment options, so our first recommendation would be to take our Skin Quiz to help you in selecting a regimen. Remember, sun exposure is one of rosacea’s biggest triggers! Wearing sunscreen everyday no matter what season is important for everyone, but especially so if you struggle with rosacea.

See below for a calming rosacea daily skincare regimen —

Morning:

1. Cleanse: Try a milky calming cleanser.

2. Tone: We recommend a mild, alcohol-free toner, like this one!

3. Serums:

   • Antioxidants (always apply first): Vitamin C *Note: If you have irritated skin (from your rosacea) try C+ Correcting Complex 30% as l-ascorbic acid serums can be irritating initially.

     • Vitamin C serum is beneficial for all skin types, especially those with rosacea. Click here for the full post on the benefits of vitamin c serums!

     • Redness reducer: Overachiever!

     • *Flare ups: We love this hydrating serum to reduce redness (great for inflamed skin, even acne flare ups). This would be applied after the serums but before SPF. Click here for the full post on how to layer skincare products!

4. Eye Cream

5. Hydrate/SPF: This moisturizer/SPF combo is is my favorite for those with rosacea/acne prone. Click here for Sun Protection 101!

Evening:

1. Cleanse: milky calming cleanser.

2. Tone

3. Vitamin C Serum

4. Overachiever, can be used as a retinoid alternative if you are nursing or pregnant. We do not recommend using it in the same nightly routine as the RetinAL Skin Therapy.

5. *Retinoid (Usage Tips below!)

6. Eye Cream

7. Hydrate: This moisturizer is a great option and can be used in the morning as well prior to SPF if additional moisturizer is desired.

Once or twice a week incorporating a hydrating mask can be helpful to prevent flare ups and keep the skin as healthy as possible! I generally starts my rosacea patients on one new product at a time to not overwhelm the

Other potential rosacea triggers to watch out for can include both diet and environment —

Foods:

• Liver

• Yogurt

• Sour cream

• Cheese (except cottage cheese)

• Chocolate

• Vanilla

• Soy sauce

• Yeast extract (bread is OK)

• Vinegar

• Eggplant

• Avocados

• Spinach

• Broad-leaf beans and pods,
  including lima, navy or pea

• Citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas,
  red plums, raisins or figs

• Spicy and thermally hot foods

• Foods high in histamine

Weather

• Sun

• Strong winds

• Cold

• Humidity

Drugs

• Vasodilators

• Topical steroids

  Temperature-related:

  • Saunas

  • Hot baths

  • Simple overheating

  • Excessively warm environments

Content adapted from the National Rosacea Society and American Academy of Dermatology