According to the National Rosacea Society (rosacea.org), April is designated as Rosacea Awareness Month. It’s their goal to educate the public on the impact of this chronic and widespread facial disorder that is estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

So, what does rosacea have to do with RemeVerse? As a skincare company, it’s our goal to help people of all ages enjoy healthier, happier, more hydrated skin. While we can’t help cure Rosacea, we can help our customers struggling with this disorder understand triggers and help calm their skin. We aim to formulate products good for all skin types, but especially those with the most sensitive of skin. 

Whether you have rosacea or know someone who does, we hope this blog post helps provide some tips for seeing calmer, clearer skin!

First, what is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects the face, particularly the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. It is more common in women than in men, and usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is also associated with a weakened skin barrier, which makes the skin more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.

Symptoms of Rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea can vary from person to person, but typically include:

  • Persistent facial redness
  • Visible blood vessels on the face
  • Swollen, red bumps or pimples
  • Burning or stinging sensations on the face
  • Dry, rough, or scaly skin
  • Thickening of the skin on the nose (rhinophyma)

How to Help Relieve Symptoms and Flare-ups of Rosacea

  1. Protect Your Skin from Sun Exposure

Sun exposure can trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms. To protect your skin from the sun, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and cover your face with a hat or scarf.

  1. Avoid Triggers (see next section below for a study by National Rosacea Society!)

Certain triggers can cause flare-ups of rosacea symptoms. Common triggers include alcohol, spicy foods, hot beverages, and extreme temperatures. Avoiding these triggers can help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

  1. Keep Your Skin Care Routine Simple

Using too many products on your skin can irritate it and worsen rosacea symptoms. Use gentle, fragrance-free skin care products, and avoid sulfates and harsh scrubs. Note: RemeVerse Day, Night, Advanced Cremes, plus Hand & Body Treatment are all very rosacea-friendly, containing no fragrance, dyes, sulfates or parabens. Plus they are calming creams, also a soothing choice!

  1. Seek Professional Treatment

If you are experiencing persistent or severe rosacea symptoms, seek professional treatment from a dermatologist. They can help diagnose your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Common Triggers of Rosacea

While the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, there have been studies to determine common triggers in patients. Tracking triggers that affect your skin can be helpful in minimizing flare-ups. Keeping a journal can be really helpful!

According to a National Rosacea Society survey of more than 1,000 rosacea sufferers, the following are the 20 most common triggers for rosacea:

  1. Sun Exposure – 81% triggered
  2. Emotional Stress – 79% triggered
  3. Hot Weather – 75% triggered
  4. Wind – 57% triggered
  5. Heavy Exercise – 56% triggered
  6. Alcohol Consumption – 52% triggered
  7. Hot Baths – 51% triggered
  8. Cold weather – 46% triggered
  9. Spicy Foods – 45% triggered
  10. Humidity – 44% triggered
  11. Indoor Heat – 41% triggered
  12. Skin-Care Products – 41% triggered
  13. Heated Beverages – 36% triggered
  14. Certain Cosmetics – 27% triggered
  15. Medications – 15% triggered
  16. Medical Conditions – 15% triggered
  17. Certain Fruits – 15% triggered
  18. Marinated Meats – 10% triggered
  19. Certain Vegetables – 9% triggered
  20. Dairy Products – 8% triggered     

What about your Skin Care Products? 

Consistent, gentle skin care and effective use of cosmetics can make a visible difference in managing rosacea and improving the look of your skin. The key is to use products and techniques that minimize irritation.

Look for products that are noted as appropriate for sensitive skin and avoid any products that sting, burn or cause irritation. In an NRS survey, many patients cited the following ingredients as triggers for irritation: alcohol (66 percent), witch hazel (30 percent), fragrance (30 percent), menthol (21 percent), peppermint (14 percent) and eucalyptus oil (13 percent). Other practices for avoiding flare-ups from skin-care products include:

Choose fragrance-free products whenever possible.

Test new products first. Before using a product on your face, try it on a patch of skin in a peripheral area, such as the neck. If you have a reaction, avoid the product and note the ingredients.

Keep it simple. The more ingredients and products you apply to your skin, the higher the likelihood that an ingredient or product may aggravate it.

Additionally, many skin care, hair care and makeup can cause flareups. For many people, this is due to a few key ingredients used by manufacturers in these products. According to U.S Dermatology Partners, the ingredients you should look for and avoid in your skin care products include:

  • Alcohol
  • Hydro-alcoholic compounds
  • Acetone
  • Witch hazel
  • Camphor
  • Peppermint oil
  • Fragrance
  • Glycolic acid
  • Lactic acid
  • Menthol
  • Urea
  • Sodium laurel sulfate (check shampoos and toothpastes – you won’t find these in RemeVerse Cleansers or Shampoos!)

In most cases, creams are easier on the skin than lotions and gels, and you should avoid using astringents or toners. Check for the following ingredients that calm the skin to help reduce your risk for flareups:

  • Green tea extract (found in all RemeVerse Cremes & Moisturizers)
  • Argan oil
  • Niacinamide
  • Linoleic oils
  • Chamomile (found in many RemeVerse products!)
  • Aloe (found in many RemeVerse products!)
  • Resveratrol

In conclusion, rosacea is a chronic skin condition that can be frustrating to manage, but there are steps that people can take to help relieve its symptoms and flare-ups. Protecting your skin from sun exposure, avoiding triggers, keeping your skin care routine simple, using topical treatments, considering oral medications, and seeking professional treatment can all help manage rosacea and improve the appearance and health of your skin. 

For questions on RemeVerse skincare products, ingredients or guidance on which products are best for your skin, contact us here or call 615-647-0090 and we’ll be happy to help!

Sources and other great articles on Rosacea:

US Dermatology Partners

Rosacea Awareness Month

Coping With Rosacea