Rosacea Awareness Month: How an Effective Skincare Routine Could Calm Your Skin

Everything You Need to Know About Rosacea: The Signs, the Symptoms, the Triggers

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects around 1 in 10 of us in the UK. It is a complex condition that has no known cure, but it can be managed. Spotting the signs early can prevent Rosacea from worsening. Look out for:

• Persistent redness.

• Bumps and breakouts.

• Visible blood vessels.

• Enlarged pores.

• The skin reacts quickly to stimuli such as weather, heavily seasoned food or red wine.

Less common symptoms may include:

• Eye irritation/inflammation.

• Dry skin with flaking.

• Thickened, rough and red skin.

• Swelling and large inflammations.

Whilst the causes of rosacea are still unknown, certain triggers can make the condition worse. These triggers include:

• Spicy foods

• Hot food and drinks

• Hot showers

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

• Stress

• Sun exposure

Whether you’re experiencing mild rosacea or more severe symptoms, it's essential to identify and avoid your triggers whenever possible. Whilst there are ways for you to manage your symptoms at home, it’s always best to seek expert advice for your skin concerns. We’d recommend booking a complimentary virtual consultation with our Skinstation skincare team, who can work with you to help you understand your skin and the care it needs.

Essential Skin-Care Tips for People with Rosacea

If you have rosacea, taking good care of your skin is critical. The right skincare routine can help reduce redness, inflammation and other symptoms associated with this condition. Here are three essential skincare tips for people with rosacea:

Know Your Triggers

As we mentioned earlier, identifying your triggers is essential for managing your rosacea flare-ups. Keep a journal of your diet, activities and any products that come in contact with your skin. By doing so, you can identify what makes your rosacea flare up and take the necessary steps to avoid those triggers.

Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Using a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin is an important step in managing rosacea. Avoid harsh scrubs and exfoliants that can irritate your skin. Instead, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to clean your face. Look for products specifically formulated for sensitive skin, like the Obagi Gentle Cleanser.

Why Moisturisation Could Keep Your Skin Rosacea-Free

Moisturisation is essential for people with rosacea because it helps repair your skin's natural moisture barrier and reduces symptoms like redness and inflammation. Choose a gentle moisturiser designed for sensitive skin that contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. The IS Clinical Sheald Recovery Balm is an excellent option for people with rosacea, as it contains a unique blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants that can soothe and hydrate your skin while strengthening your skin's natural protective barrier.

The Ultimate Rosacea Skincare Routine

If you have rosacea, you need a skincare routine that is gentle, soothing, and effective. Here's a simple, five-step routine that can help calm your skin:

Step 1: Cleanse

Use a calming cleanser, like the Obagi Gentle Cleanser, to clean your face twice a day. Avoid using hot water, which can irritate your skin.

Step 2: Tone

After cleansing, use a soothing toner, such as the SUZANOBAGIMD™ Balancing Toner. This product contains nourishing ingredients like witch hazel, antioxidants and aloe, which can help calm and soothe skin with reduced redness and sensitivity.

Step 3: Treat

Apply a serum that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin C to help to reduce redness, inflammation and other symptoms associated with rosacea. Try the cult-favourite Obagi Professional-C Serum (in either the 10 or 15% strengths of L-ascorbic acid). This form of vitamin C is essential for the cross-linking of new collagen molecules and preventing trans-epidermal water loss, ensuring your skin remains plump and hydrated.

Step 4: Moisturise

Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser like Obagi Hydrate. This cult favourite moisturiser is formulated with Obagi's Hydromanil. Derived from tara seeds, it allows the skin to retain water and gradually delivers moisture throughout the day by continually releasing active compounds. Obagi Hydrate’s specialist formulation has been proven to protect your skin against dehydration for up to 8 hours.

Step 5: Protect

Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even on cloudy days. Sun exposure can worsen rosacea symptoms, so protecting your skin is important. Look for sunscreens formulated for sensitive skin, like the Obagi Sun Shield Tint. Available in Cool and Warm tones and suitable for all skin types, Sun Shield Tint will offer all of the key broad-spectrum protection your skin needs whilst also balancing out redness and evening your skin tone - perfect for Rosacea-prone skin! 

By following this simple skincare routine, you can help manage your rosacea symptoms and keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Remember to be patient and consistent, as it may take several weeks or months to see significant improvements in your skin. 

For more information, or for tailored skincare advice, book your complimentary virtual consultation with Skinstation here.