Skin Care for Rosacea

Whichever method of treatment or combination therapy you and your physician decide on, it is important to take steps in your regular skin-care routine to ensure it is as gentle as possible. For those with rosacea, reducing any risk of irritation or sensitizing reactions will help reduce the risk of flare-ups and exacerbations. Fragrance- and irritant-free products are paramount but avoiding topical scrubs, washcloths, at-home facial peels, products containing alcohol, hot water, or steam rooms can also be significant. Generally speaking, it is best for those with rosacea to stick with the basics:
Gentle, non-drying water-soluble cleanser (absolutely no bar soap or bar cleansers)
Sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher containing the active ingredients of titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide (other sunscreen agents can prove irritating). Those with rosacea and oily skin may find using a foundation and pressed powder with sunscreen is a great alternative.
Moisturizer formulated with antioxidants and barrier-protecting ingredients (to improve skin function).
Salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliant.**
Until your rosacea is under control, you may want to avoid all sources of flare-ups, including strenuous exercise, cooking over a hot stove, spending too much time outdoors when the weather is summer-hot or winter-cold, alcohol consumption, or anything that causes your skin to feel hot and redden. Many patients find it helpful to keep a diary of their rosacea triggers, and that includes noting what causes their flare-ups or reactions to skin care and cosmetics used. As much as possible, try to minimize sources of stress; you may want to consider alternative methods of stress control, including meditation and controlled, focused breathing. Talk to your dermatologist about which over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen) may be suitable for calming flare-ups.Ingredients to AvoidWhile it is almost impossible to list all of the ingredients that can potentially trigger reactions for those with rosacea, the following is a good general list to consider. Keep in mind that not everyone reacts the same to any of these elements:
Acetone
Alcohol or SD alcohol followed by a number (Ingredients like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are standard, benign, waxlike cosmetic thickening agents and are completely nonirritating.)
Ammonia
Arnica
Ascorbic acid
Balm mint
Balsam
Bentonite
Benzalkonium chloride
Bergamot
Camphor
Chamomile
Cinnamon
Citrus juices and oils (such as grapefruit or orange)
Clove
Clover blossom
Cocoa butter
Coriander
Cornstarch
Eucalyptus
Fennel
Fennel oil
Fir needle
Fragrances of any kind
Geranium
Horsetail
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Lime
Marjoram
Melissa
Menthol
Mint
Oak bark
Papaya
Peppermint
Phenol
Sandalwood oil
SD alcohol, ethanol alcohol or isopropyl alcohol
Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate
TEA-lauryl sulfate
Thyme
Wintergreen
Witch hazel
Ylang-ylang

The Rosacea Review, an online newsletter of the National Rosacea Society, at www.rosacea.org/rr/, is an excellent source for detailed and ongoing information concerning treatment and research for rosacea. *As effective as an oral antibiotic can be when you begin taking it, after a period of time bacteria can become immune to the antibiotic, causing symptoms to return. Most of the research about antibiotic bacteria-resistance is based on research regarding other uses such as acne and infections. Whether or not this is a concern for rosacea should be discussed with your physician. **BHA is an interesting option for rosacea, not only does it exfoliate skin and improve pore function, it has anti-inflammatory action (due to its relationship to aspirin—acetyl salicylic acid), which may help reduce the facial redness caused by the papules and pustules that can accompany rosacea. BHA also has antimicrobial properties that can reduce the presence of the microbe thought to be causing the problem. Just like any other rosacea therapy, salicylic acid won't work for everyone (indeed, some rosacea patients find it intolerable)