Being in the treatment room for as long as I have, time and time again clients have confusion between rosacea and reactive skin. Redness does not always mean rosacea; however, rosacea is quite common. Rosacea is a chronic skin disease which is quite misunderstood and tricky to treat. There are four different types, so proper diagnose is important. Its underlying trigger is inflammation. Rosacea presents itself in a myriad of ways which often can look like other conditions like acne, sensitivity, eczema, dermatitis, etc. With these types of complications, it is important to know the signs, find the right professional to work with and figure out how to rebuild and strengthen the skin’s delicate skin barrier.
It’s important to understand what to look for since many people see pinkness in their skin and diagnose themselves with having rosacea.
Here is what to look for:
· Persistent redness that does not go away
· Skin thickening, primarily on the nose, which then leads to larger pores
· Flushing or blushing that feels warm or causes a burning sensation
· Bumps and pimples that are often small, pus-filled and irritated
· Visible blood vessels which are prominent
· Reactive skin
Common triggers to look for:
· Soaps that contain detergents
· Benzoyl Peroxide
· Synthetic fragrances
· Alcohol
· Retinoids
· Spicy food
· Extreme temperatures
· Red wine
· Sun and stress
· Sluggish circulatory system which leads to gut issues and trickles on from there
So how do we rebuild rosacea skin?
Let’s begin with ingredients that time and again prove to be an effective approach in repairing this condition and why.
Seabuckthorn Oil: This anti-inflammatory oil contains palmitoleic acid which helps with inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration.
Flower Extracts: Chamomile, Edelweiss, Purple Coneflower and Cornflower are all great for reducing inflammation, antimicrobial, soothing, nourishing, wound healing and all strengthen blood vessels and the capillary wall.
Retinaldehyde: A form of vitamin A which promotes cellular turnover and strengthens the skin. Not to be confused with retinol or retin a which can be irritating for rosacea prone skin.
Mandelic Acid: This acid is antibacterial, antiseptic, increases oxygen, and cell turnover and does a beautiful job in aiding in the healing of the skin.
Physical Sunscreen: It’s important to choose a physical rather than a chemical sunscreen for rosacea. The ingredients you are looking for are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. That’s all folks!
Niacinamide: An antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging ingredient. This form of vitamin B3 helps treat acne and rosacea by improving the skin barrier function and increasing the production of ceramides.
Rosacea can be frustrating and leave people who are experiencing severe symptoms quite low and helpless. However, proper diagnosis is critical to rebuilding and repairing rosacea. So take a deep breath and know there are options out there to help! Working together with your professional to lay out a road map for supporting your skin is always the best place to start.
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