Dealing with a Red Face

Rosacea is a skin condition that mainly affects the face and if you are fair-skinned and have blue eyes you may be more prone to the flare ups associated with it. It usually presents as bouts of flushing, but these episodes can last longer and become more frequent over time. While redness is one symptom, stinging, burning and visible blood vessels on the skin’s surface are also evidence of rosacea. Apparently rosacea affects one (1) in ten (10).

This is where things get a little more complicated because, in truth, the specific causes aren’t known. However, as it’s a condition that flares up between periods of dormancy it is possible to identify triggers, some of which are;

Changes in temperature
Alcohol
Spices and spicy foods
Working out
Stress
Sun exposure

Annoyingly there is no cure for rosacea, but more and more brands are bringing out products to help minimise its redness and there’s more information than ever about the lifestyle choices, such as eliminating or avoiding certain foods, that can help you to keep the condition under control. Certain skincare ingredients, despite their good intentions, can aggravate rosacea-prone skin. Alcohol, retinoids and strong fragrances should be patch-tested first as a matter of caution.

So it is a case of managing your symptoms when it comes to treating rosacea, but the good news is that there are a lot of products that are now designed to deal with it. Choosing the right products is just as important as limiting other lifestyle triggers such as food and alcohol. Brands like La Roche Posay and Avene are particularly catered to highly sensitive and rosacea-prone skins. In severe cases you should discuss with your GP and they could possibly prescribe a treatment. If you’re sysmptoms are;

Redness – you should use a Daily moisturizer that caters for skin prone to redness and is designed for everyday use, such as La Roche Posay Rosaliac UV Rich (contains SPF 15 to ensure your complexion stays protected and contain’s green pigment to immediately counter the redness and red tones in your skin) and Avene Antirougeurs Jour Redness Relief Moisturizing Protecting Cream (soothes and hydrates).
Stinging – you should use a Face mist. Mists are great if you are having a moment, so if you feel the warmth of redness flaring up, spritz Skyn Iceland Arctic Face Mist(contains glacial water and anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe and calm, and the vitamin-rich mist also sets makeup) and Avene Thermal Water Spray (contains Low minerals and rich in silica).
Burning – you should use a calming cleanser that fights free radicals while also toning and calming your skin, such as REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel (contains ultra-calming aloe vera for added soothing).
Visible blood vessels – you should use a Roscea Treatment such as Dermalex Rosacea Cream (creates a protective film on the skin helping to restore a thick and hydrated epidermis).