How to Treat Rosacea: Skin Care Tips

I spent years feeling embarrassed by my red cheeks. I couldn’t understand why many of my classmates had perfectly even skin tones, while mine burned bright red. In middle school, I finally took the initiative to find answers for my condition and that’s when my dermatologist told me about rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by redness, visible blood vessels and even small bumps along the face, but there are expert-backed tips that can help individuals manage the condition and mask its effects. Below, I break down what rosacea is and then provide five skin care tips for improving and reducing the look of rosacea. 

Read more: Does Your Skin Have Sun Damage? We Asked Experts if You Can Reverse It

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition primarily affecting the face that causes permanent redness and visible blood vessels on the face or sometimes on other areas of the body. Rosacea is extremely common, affecting more than 14 million people in the US alone. Rosacea can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or ethnicity, but it’s more commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults, fair-skinned people and women in menopause.

Rosacea is chronic and not curable, it is highly treatable and can be well-managed with over-the-counter products, treatments, medications or surgeries. It’s important to speak with a dermatologist about an official diagnosis and treatment plans since the condition may worsen over time if left untreated. 

Where does rosacea appear?

Rosacea can appear across the body but is mainly found around these areas:

• Face, especially the nose, chin, cheeks, forehead and eyes
• Ears
• Chest
• Neck
• Scalp

What are signs of rosacea?

Usually, rosacea is diagnosed if you develop a chronic rash, permanent redness and other symptoms on the face area.

Other signs of rosacea may include: 

• Redness, especially on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
• Facial inflammation and swelling, known as edema
• Small blood vessels that look like red lines on the skin 
• A permanent flush 
• Non-tender pustules 
• Bumps and pimples
• Burning or stinging sensations 
• Itching, tightness or dryness

What can worsen rosacea?

Over time, certain lifestyle behaviors, treatments or topical solutions may help cover up the redness and make it less noticeable or completely unnoticeable. 

There are certain risk factors that can trigger, worsen the look or exacerbate symptoms of rosacea, such as:

• Extended exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet light)
• Extremely hot temperatures 
• Freezing temperatures
• Wind
• Hot baths
• High cardio/strenuous physical activity 
• Stress
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Spicy food
• Hot food and beverages

Tips to improve and reduce the look of rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition, which means your symptoms can fluctuate unexpectedly. In the case of a flare-up, here are a few methods to treat it or cover it up:

1. Choose the right skin care products

You likely wash your face twice a day, and that’s exactly what your dermatologist wants you to do. Having rosacea poses an extra obstacle since your skin is more sensitive. When developing a daily skin care routine, it’ll be important to incorporate rosacea-friendly products. 

It’s best practice to avoid products, like toners and astringents, with harsh ingredients, including:

• Alcohol
• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid
• Camphor
• Fragrance
• Menthol
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (often found in shampoos and toothpaste)
• Urea

Here’s what to use to help calm and soothe inflamed skin, or prevent irritation:

• Fragrance-free topical products
• Gentle cleansers
• A daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher 
• Products with soothing ingredients like niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera, bitter wood, tormentil and licorice root extract 
• Sensitive skin and non-comedogenic products 

Remember, it’s important to test any new products on a patch of skin on your hand or arm first, and introduce them gradually to see how your skin reacts. If you experience any irritation or worsening of your rosacea symptoms, stop using immediately. 

2. Use medication

Oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat redness, inflammation, bumps and pimples caused by rosacea. Here are some of the most common OTC treatments for rosacea:

• Antibiotics like doxycycline (oral)
• Brimonidine (topical gel)
• Topical creams or gels containing azelaic acid, ivermectin or metronidazole
• Acne medications like isotretinoin (oral)

These medications may require a prescription from your healthcare provider. If you use insurance, your copay could be as little as free to $7, but medications would cost upwards of $120 without insurance. There are basic over-the-counter products, like the ones mentioned in the previous section, that could treat rosacea and will only cost you between $5-$50 on average, depending on the product you purchase. 

3. Laser treatment

In more severe cases, your dermatologist or healthcare provider may use lasers to remove visible blood vessels and limit the amount of redness on your skin.

There are different types of laser treatments, such as pulsed dye lasers, CO2 lasers and erbium YAG lasers, but in general, lasers work by converting light energy into heat energy to selectively target and penetrate blood vessels while keeping the surrounding skin safe. Ablative lasers, like CO2 lasers, can reshape areas of your face that have been scarred or enlarged by rosacea-inflamed tissue.

These treatments can be very effective. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, lasers used to treat visible blood vessels have excellent results as 50% to 75% of those who have undergone treatment see a noticeable reduction in their symptoms after one to three treatments. Light therapies come at a hefty price and could cost you between $500–$700. 

4. Clean your skin the right way

Preventing rosacea flares up isn’t just about avoiding certain skin care products. It also has to do with how you clean your skin. Here are a few dermatologist-approved tips for cleaning your skin when you have rosacea:

• Cleanse face twice a day, every day
• If you’re using medication to treat rosacea, apply your medication first, then apply a rosacea-friendly moisturizer.
• Don’t use a washcloth or facial sponge to clean your skin. Just use your fingertips 
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging skin
• Stop any exfoliating
• Pat your face gently with a clean, cotton towel after washing

5. Utilize green-tinted makeup 

For minor cases, a green-tinted concealer or cream can camouflage redness or visible blood vessels on your face. Thanks to color theory, this works. Green and red are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite on the color wheel and cancel each other out when mixed. When green makeup is applied to the red skin, the green will absorb the red, neutralizing any red pigments. Certain products, like the L’Oréal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer, have thousands of reviews touting their effectiveness at masking signs of rosacea. 

Some makeup can irritate sensitive skin, so always do a skin test before applying the product to your face and neck. Dermatologists also recommend water-based or powder makeup for those with more sensitive or irritated skin. 

Incorporating these tips into your skin care routine can help you manage and better care for your rosacea-prone skin. Before trying any of these tips or products, it’s best to consult your dermatologist since every skin type is different and your provider will know your skin best.

For more, explore these 10 sunscreen myths to stop believing this summer and whether Tretinoin or Retinol is best for your skin.