Rosacea is a finicky skin ailment to understand. If you have it, you know this. Due to its broad scope of triggers and symptoms, rosacea is a notoriously tricky skin concern to treat, and it takes some major experimenting to see what works. Fortunately, this ain't our first rodeo. Over the years, we have helped countless guests who suffer from rosacea find a skincare routine just right for them. We've also picked up tips and tricks along the way to help soothe irritated and inflamed skin and keep rosacea flare-ups at bay. Let's dig in. 

What IS Rosacea? 

Rosacea (roh-ZAY-sha) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes flushing and visible blood vessels in the face. While anyone can develop rosacea, (over three million Canadians and counting),  it is most often seen in fair-skinned women and is known to become ruddier and more persistent over time. In rare cases, rosacea can develop in areas beyond the face, like the neck and scalp. Ouch! If left untreated, rosacea can develop into pimples and bumps, and in extreme cases, inflamed tissue can cause the nose to swell in size. In addition, around 50 percent of patients suffering from rosacea will experience significant irritation in the eyes, a condition known as ocular rosacea. All this to say - rosacea is no joke, and while symptoms of rosacea may come and go, there is no known cure. But wait! There's good news! Symptoms can often be effectively controlled with a gentle skincare routine and a healthy diet. First, let's talk about four known rosacea triggers with an easy fix. 

Common Rosacea Triggers

Because rosacea can be challenging to treat topically, avoiding some of its most common triggers is a helpful place to start. The list is long and broad, so we'll look at the top four rosacea triggers. 

• Sun exposure - just a kiss of sun on rosacea-prone cheeks can lead to uncontrollable flushing and redness. A fragrance-free zinc oxide SPF is less likely to cause additional irritation and can be used daily.
• Spicy foods - although delicious, these tasty stimuli can heat up the skin and trigger painful rosacea flare-ups. Experiment with an elimination diet and gradually reintroduce these foods to see if they are flare-up offenders. Tip: add fish oil supplements and probiotics. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory, and probiotics maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the gut, reducing overall body inflammation.
• Alcohol - not only is alcohol a rosacea trigger, studies suggest regular alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing the skin condition in the first place. Some studies emphasize red wine as the worst alcoholic culprit; however, it is generally agreed that any alcohol will stimulate the dilation of the blood vessels, resulting in angry and irritated rosacea-prone skin. 
• Acute stress - Stress management is a critical factor in managing rosacea. We know that stress is responsible for a number of physical responses in the body, from hair loss, or fluctuation in weight, to acne breakouts. Rosacea flare-ups are no exception to stress triggers. Stress hormones activate an increase in oil production and the inflammation and dilation of blood vessels in the skin.  

Tip: because every case is different, keep a daily intake diary to help identify your personal rosacea triggers. 

Rosacea Myths

• Rosacea is a form of acne. Nope! Don’t use acne creams as a rosacea treatment. It will backfire!
• Rosacea is caused by high blood pressure. It’s a common misconception that high blood pressure produces facial flushing, but it's not the case. 
• Rosacea is the result of poor hygiene. Rosacea is not caused by a lack of cleanliness. In fact, over-washing rosacea-prone skin can make symptoms worse.

Topical Rosacea Treatment

Conventional beauty products are often packed with skin irritants and toxins that fuel rosacea outbreaks. The trick is to look for the gentlest products you can find. Of course, all products sold at The Green Kiss pass our strict buying guidelines, some ingredients we carry may still be too 'active' for rosacea-prone skin. Here's our fool-proof rosacea skincare routine to help you reach your glowy skin goals:

TONE 

Toners are an important step in your skincare routine, helpful for balancing the complexion after cleansing and boosting the delivery of your serums and creams. For those with rosacea, avoiding toners containing alcohol is a must. We love the Glow Jar Beauty Dewy Moisture Mist - an unscented, non-stripping, moisture-rich facial mist that nourishes and supports your skin's natural moisture barrier. This toner is made with aloe, green tea extract, seaweed extract, and glycerin to hydrate dry skin, soothe and calm skin inflammation and give you a hydrated glow. 

Another winner is the Fitglow Beauty Sea Ceramide Toning Mist. This toner is supercharged with sea nutrients and extra calming ceramides to rehydrate and restore skin for a calm, balanced and healthy complexion. Green carrot stem cells help to reduce redness and even out the complexion, making this an excellent choice for rosacea-prone skin.

PURIFY

It's essential to choose a mild and non-abrasive cleanser when treating rosacea. We suggest Indie Lee's Soothing Cleanser - a creamy gel cleanser from their 'sensitive skin' collection optimal for those with red skin undertones.

Another rosacea-friendly cleanser is Fitglow's Calm Cleansing Milk. This cleanser is specifically designed to soothe irritated and inflamed skin with its blend of organic cucumber, aloe and rose.

Tip: Apply your cleanser to dry skin, lather for 30 seconds, and rinse with lukewarm water. Dry skin by blotting with a thick cotton towel to avoid pulling. 

TREAT

If you're in the throes of a rosacea flare-up, you'll love the Fitglow Beauty's Redness Rescue Cream. This product was created specifically with rosacea in mind, as the founder struggled to find a clean, non-irritating solution to soothe and heal her own rosacea. The cream has a green tint, which equalizes redness right away, while its potent plant blend reduces redness over time by strengthening and protecting the skin! Gold star, Fitglow! 🌟 

Tip: Use on clean skin in the morning to neutralize redness without makeup, or use as a primer to calm skin before makeup application. 

Another favoured rosacea remedy is Vivas Organics Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Yes, 'acid' can be a scary word for those who suffer from inflamed skin, but not to worry - Viva has crafted this gentle and effective natural facial serum for all skin types. This beauty hydrates, plumps, and encourages collagen production without using active stimulants.

QUENCH 

We just can't speak highly enough of CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture. Its decadent formula immediately calms and nourishes chronically dry skin helping to revive and restore it over time. It's suitable for all skin types and gentle enough to soothe skin irritated from the effects of microdermabrasion, laser treatments, retinol use, chemical peels, excess sun exposure, chemotherapy, and, yes, rosacea. Check out its many 5-star reviews on its page. Here's one:  

"I absolutely love CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck and Scalp.
It did a great job calming my skin which was irritated due to Type 2 Rosacea.
I also use it on my scalp to soothe irritated spots and it's amazing for that as
well. I am very sensitive to chemicals and fragrances.
This product is perfect for me."

Another option for ultra-sensitive skin conditions and those sensitive to fragrance or essential oils is the Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream - Unscented. This multi-benefit moisturizer supports skin health by facilitating maximum cellular hydration and reinforcing the protective skin barrier. Aloe vera, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbal actives, and rich plant oils deliver potent nutrients to plump, soften, and repair the skin.

PROTECT

Direct sun exposure is a serious no-no for those who suffer from rosacea so make sure you apply a gentle, non-irritating sunscreen throughout the day, and don't forget your hat and sunnies. We love the Josh Rosebrook Nutrient Day Cream because it works double duty as a rich and firming moisturizer. It repairs, protects and treats with highly effective antioxidants, fatty acids, and phytonutrients. Another perk: it's unscented!

Want something with a little tint? Consonant Skincare The Perfect Sunscreen is an effective broad-spectrum, tinted, 100% natural mineral sunscreen made with uniquely micronized minerals that go on smoothly and leave no white cast behind. Tip: it comes in a handy travel size, perfect for on-the-go. 

CONCEAL

Once you've got your skincare and protection layer in place, there are some great options for additional rosacea coverage. Sappho Essential Foundation has yellow undertones to balance redness. This natural, silicone-free foundation has buildable light-medium coverage with a natural-looking finish. Another perk: it's infused with nourishing herbs and flower essences, phytonutrients, and antioxidants to give a radiant, healthy glow. 

Looking to neutralize redness, blemishes, and scarring? We love this colour-correcting formula from Fitglow. Its super-concentrated formula helps fight free radical damage, brightens the skin, and diminishes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Tip: we love pairing this corrector with the Fitglow Beauty Conceal+ concealer. Redness be gone! 

What's Next?

Along with advice from your dermatologist, a proper diet and clean skincare routine, you can help keep rosacea-prone skin calm and clear. Please reach out to your Green Kiss Educator for a custom rosacea skincare routine built just for you. Not sure which product to purchase? We offer 5 samples for $25 to our online shoppers. You can order them by emailing us at hello@thegreenkiss.com.