Rosacea Awareness Month

Before the month gets away from me, I wanted to talk about Rosacea. April is Rosacea Awareness Month, and if you’ve been following along (thank you!), you know that I have a minor case. My brother and I both suffer from it and I consider myself lucky because I have been able to manage it on my own, thus far. My brother has gone through treatments and struggled with it a bit more than I have. It’s a condition that can really take a toll on ones’ self-esteem. I’m constantly asked why my face is so red, but luckily I’m past the embarrassment - I think as you get older you’re just generally less embarrassed about things. If you think you have Rosacea, I definitely advise you consult with your doctor before beginning any treatments or products. I myself have actually never consulted a dermatologist because it’s never gotten to be too serious, but have several near-confirmations from estheticians and my general care physician. Either way, I wanted to share what has worked for me most recently for managing and improving my Rosacea Flare-Ups.

1. I try to avoid salicylic acid in general, and only use it when I’m feeling an oncoming breakout. SA can be extremely drying, harsh and can irritate Rosacea, so I only own it for when I urgently need it and try to stick to gentle products. Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is a great option for cleansing without irritation, I also love First Aid Beauty’s Face Cleanser, which I talk about quite a bit. Most recently, I’ve used Manuka Honey to cleanse my face several times a week. Manuka Honey is a great antibacterial and I have seen a different in my skin’s tone, and less redness since including in my regimen. Check Amazon or Whole Foods for a number of options and always go with 15+ Active, or higher. I'm currently using this one, from Y.S. Eco Bee Farms.
2. First Aid Beauty’s Anti-Redness Serum is packed with caffeine, which helps shrink blood vessels and improves redness. This was my first FAB product, and the reason I even looked into the line. I use this before special occasions, or as part of my evening skincare regimen. It helps clear my face right up and with a gentle morning skincare routine, I don't have to worry about irritating my skin all over again.
3. My skincare approach is definitely not an all-natural one, but I do love essential oils. Pure Tamanu Oil is known for its ability to promote skin renewal, and Tea Tree Oil’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help calm redness. I use these two frequently to calm redness.
4. Heat is a key contributor to Rosacea flare-ups, and I live in Texas, so I’m basically out of luck. But when I do go for an outdoor jog, I try to wear caps. I also try to apply heat less often to my hair by blowdrying only a couple times a week and always pointing the hair dryer away from my face. It also helps that Andres and I keep our apartment at a comfortable 68 degrees. We’re polar bears, but anything higher and I feel like I'm essentially being cooked.
5. Rosacea and many other skin conditions are worsened by inflammation, so anti-inflammatory foods are important. I don’t have the best diet, but I do drink Ginger Tea religiously. Other good anti-inflammatory foods include berries, cucumbers, and foods with a high percentage of water.
6. Lastly, and perhaps the most difficult to avoid are alcoholic beverages, especially red wine. Those and spicy foods, can also induce flare-ups. Avoiding spicy foods is particularly difficult for me, because I add spice to food the way I add salt, but I try to make up for this in other areas of my skincare.

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