Skin Care for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin
April is Rosacea Awareness Month. Individuals diagnosed with this chronic skin condition understand its unique characteristics. However, many individuals are unaware that some skin conditions they may be experiencing could actually be rosacea, a skin condition that affects some 16 million Americans.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes facial flushing or blushing. It is often mistaken for acne or a naturally ruddy complexion. Anyone can develop rosacea, but it occurs most frequently in middle-aged white women.
The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but certain things are known to trigger rosacea flares, such as hot or spicy food, alcoholic beverages like red wine, extreme temperatures, sun and wind, exercise, emotions, and certain drugs that cause widening of the blood vessels. Using the wrong types of skin products can also cause rosacea to flare up.
While there is no cure for rosacea, you can manage it by avoiding triggers, using medications prescribed by a dermatologist, making lifestyle changes, and fine-tuning your skincare regimen.
What are the best skincare products for rosacea?
If you have rosacea or sensitive skin, one of the most important things you can do to prevent flare-ups and control the symptoms is to treat your skin gently. This means using fragrance-free skincare products that are specially formulated for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. These products typically do not contain common skin irritants like alcohol, menthol, urea, and camphor. Rather, they contain soothing and calming ingredients that gently cleanse, repair, moisturize, exfoliate, and protect your skin.
Here are some tried and tested skincare products recommended by our board-certified dermatologists at Village Dermatology for people with rosacea.
Best Skin Cleansers for Rosacea
The Gentle Foaming Cleanser from Revision Skincare is a soap-free cleanser that is ideally formulated for people with rosacea or sensitive skin. It is a velvety foam cleanser that contains calming ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and allantoin that help to hydrate your skin and soothe rosacea. Its unique amino acid surfactant gently removes dirt and makeup, leaving your skin feeling clean, soft, and nourished.
The Epionce Milky Lotion Cleanser is another excellent skin cleanser for rosacea and sensitive skin. It contains date fruit and apple extracts that strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier. Another ingredient, zinc, helps to soothe inflammation and reduce redness caused by rosacea. This cleanser is ideal for dry skin and sensitive skin because it gently cleanses your skin of impurities without stripping it of natural moisture.
Best Skin Repair Product for Rosacea
Dermatologists recommend using products that help to repair the skin barrier in people with rosacea. The TNS Recovery Complex by Skin Medica contains a patented blend called tissue nutrient solution (TNS), which has over 380 cytokines, antioxidants, soluble collagen, matrix proteins, and growth factors to support skin repair. This is a physiologically balanced blend of naturally secreted substances present in high concentrations to give your skin the boost it needs.
Regular application of this skin repair product can help soothe irritated skin if you have rosacea. It can also help strengthen your skin’s defense against environmental factors like the sun, wind, and extreme temperature, which are known triggers for rosacea flares.
Besides being a valuable addition to your rosacea skincare routine, this repair product will also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin tone, and skin texture.
Best Moisturizer for Rosacea
The key to finding the best moisturizer for rosacea or sensitive skin is finding a product that delivers moisture without causing irritation or flushing. The Renewal Facial Cream by Epionce has a rich, hydrating formula with superior moisturizing properties and fits the bill.
If you suffer from rosacea, this calming moisturizing cream will help to keep your skin soft and supple. It will also improve skin clarity and radiance, leading to a visible improvement in the appearance of your skin. Regular use of this moisturizer can help to hydrate your skin and build a skin barrier that can potentially protect against exposure to environmental irritants and rosacea triggers.
Best Exfoliant for Rosacea
The Renewal Retinol .25 from Alastin is a hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic skin exfoliant that contains retinol. It is designed to diminish the appearance of fine lines, and wrinkles improve skin tone and smooth skin texture.
It is worth noting that while many retinol-containing skin products can cause redness, irritation, and peeling, this product contains retinol encapsulated in a solid lipid that protects your skin from these damaging effects. Dermatologists say this is the key to using retinol products on sensitive skin. Moreover, it contains calming ingredients like oat extract and silver mushroom that make it the for rosacea and sensitive skin.
Other potent ingredients in this skincare product for rosacea and sensitive skin boost collagen production, support hydration, and have antioxidant effects.
Best Skin Protection for Rosacea
The EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is formulated to protect and soothe sensitive skin that is prone to rosacea and acne. Ingredients in this skincare product include niacinamide (vitamin B3) and hyaluronic acid that hydrate your skin, reduce inflammation and redness, and improve the appearance of dry, damaged skin by restoring suppleness. The vitamin E in this product has antioxidant properties and reduces free radical damage and the visible signs of aging.
This lightweight and silky skin protector comes in tinted and untinted formulas. It can be worn with or without makeup and is perfect for daily use. The natural mineral compounds in this product provide sun protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Choosing the Best Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin and Rosacea
When dealing with flushed, irritated skin, your skincare routine assumes even greater importance than usual. Yet, trying new skincare products can be a nightmarish experience when you have super sensitive skin, especially because many products contain ingredients that can make your rosacea worse.
Our list of the best skincare products for rosacea and sensitive skin is dermatologist-approved. These products can help address common rosacea concerns like redness, dryness, and irritation. Use these products as part of a comprehensive skincare regimen for your skin and see the difference.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our skincare team in the Skin for Life Boutique!