Rosacea Explained: Causes, Treatments, and Expert Solutions
At Noaem Skin Brighton, we’re seeing rosacea affect more clients than ever before. This April – Rosacea Awareness Month – we’re shining a spotlight on this often misunderstood skin condition that causes facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps.
Many people suffering from rosacea either don’t recognize their symptoms or mistake them for other skin issues, leading to inappropriate treatments that worsen the condition. With proper diagnosis and care, this inflammatory skin condition can be effectively managed, helping to restore both your skin’s health and your confidence.
If persistent facial redness has been bothering you, this comprehensive guide will help you understand rosacea, identify triggers, and discover the most effective solutions—both at home and with professional help.
Rosacea: Understanding the Red Flag Your Skin Is Raising
The main symptom of rosacea is pinkness or redness of the skin – commonly in the centre of the face i.e. the nose and cheeks. The name actually comes from the Latin word “rosāceus” meaning “made of roses”.
Rosacea is often confused with acne leading to use of the wrong skincare products which can further exacerbate the condition.
At Noaem Skin, we have been approached by people for whom Rosacea has worsened over time but predominantly due to the fact that they had been given incorrect advice on products to use and had been undergoing wholly inappropriate treatments for rosacea skin types. The impact on self-confidence is huge and therefore this is a very emotive subject for sufferers and also for us as practitioners with medical backgrounds.
Because redness of the skin is seen by many as a cosmetic concern or just sensitivity, it is common for people to dismiss it as such and not seek medical help. This should not be the case.
If you or anyone you know suffers from redness of the skin, read on to find out everything you need to know about how to deal with this condition and make sure you send the link to anyone that needs it.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that affects the face – this is thought to be because of the sensitivity of the skin in the area and also the high concentration of blood vessels.
It causes visual symptoms of redness that comes and goes but it can become more permanent over time. Flushing of the skin is common (those that are prone to blushing easily!) as are visible blood vessels (think red thread veins) and also pimples or ‘spots’ that can look like acne – hence the confusion mentioned above. In fact, in the past, the condition was referred to as ‘acne rosacea’ however this term is no longer used as it is not related to acne.
In some extreme cases, if left untreated, the skin can begin to thicken commonly on the nose. The symptoms of rosacea vary greatly from person to person and the severity of the condition too.
What causes Rosacea?
Unfortunately, the cause of rosacea is not entirely clear. It is however thought to involve genetics, environmental factors, gut health and also stress. There are known triggers for rosacea in those affected which include alcohol, spicy food, cold and harsh weather, hot drinks, exercise and UV exposure. As mentioned earlier, using the wrong type of skincare products also exacerbates the condition.
Who is likely to suffer from Rosacea?
Rosacea commonly presents between 30 – 60 years of age in people of European descent. It can run in families and can also be seen in darker types however this is not very common. Women tend to be affected more than men and they tend to cover it with make up.
What could you try at home to help?
Although we have mentioned the importance of seeking medical help with Rosacea and not feeling that you are ‘bothering the GP’ (we hear this a lot), there are some steps you can take at home to help. Let’s break these down:
Trigger Diary: We know that there are certain triggers for Rosacea, so keeping a diary of when flare ups occur can be useful to help avoid them in future. Note down what you have eaten, drank, applied to your skin and also the weather that day. Hopefully a pattern will emerge that will help to identify your triggers.
Skincare Products: Using the right skincare products is essential. Here is a breakdown of what to look for:
1. Keep it simple: Use a gentle cleanser with tepid water and no exfoliating ingredients (no wash cloth either). We are fans of CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. A simple moisturiser (not too heavy) is ideal and a sunscreen is very important due to UV light being a potential trigger. Stick to mineral-based sunscreens as these are better for sensitive skin.
2. Avoid Fragranced Products: Fragrance brings no benefit to a skincare product, only potential irritation. Be particularly careful about products labelled as ‘natural’ or ‘clean’ as these can often include essential oils which do not belong on facial skin in our opinion!
3. Avoid Strong Active Ingredients: Retinoids and acids are a no-no. We often see people who confuse their rosacea with acne and use products containing salicylic acid which causes much irritation to rosacea skin types.
4.Green Make Up: We now see many make up brands bringing out green make up products which help to diffuse the intensity of redness in the skin. These are fine to use however, we would advise sticking to good quality brands as they will likely be kinder on the skin.
Address your Gut Health: It is possible that gut health impacts Rosacea, so supplements could help. We are huge fans of Symprove – it has some great evidence behind it – and we recommend this to our clients not only for Rosacea but many other skin issues as well as general wellbeing.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have tried all of the above with little to no effect, or your Rosacea is worsening, it is time to seek some help. Your GP Practice Nurse or Practice Pharmacist can prescribe treatment including topical products which reduce inflammation or tablets or capsules which are generally antibiotics. They will follow NICE guidelines and escalate your treatment if or as needed.
Another option is to see a dermatologist privately who can treat with medication but also with laser treatment.
Iki’s Take On Rosacea
As a clinical pharmacist working within the NHS, I often prescribed Rosacea treatment. However, having opened Noaem Skin 6 years ago, I have come to realise the number of people that don’t know they have Rosacea, those that don’t think they should ‘bother the GP’ and also those that will just put up with it.
I have seen cases where I have been so utterly saddened by the experience of the person sitting in front of me. What may seem a cosmetic concern to some is completely destroying the self-esteem of others. Be kind.
My advice would be to remember that we can improve this condition, whether it is by home skincare use, using topical medication or capsules or even by seeing a dermatologist where necessary.
Please do not follow advice from social media – very few of these people are qualified to give skincare advice. Also, do not see a beautician – this is a medical condition and needs to be treated appropriately.
If we can be of any help, please do get in touch. It may be that we merely point you in the right direction rather than look after you ourselves but we are more than happy to do that. You are not alone.
Find out more about Rosacea at The National Rosacea Society and follow us on Instagram for more information.