Having rosacea is definitely not a walk in the park. Rosacea is a skin condition that has a variety of factors that can lead to flare-ups of redness, bumps, and bumps. While it has no impact on your health, it can have a big impact on your self-confidence.
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We took the time to look at some of the ingredients in skincare products that are best to avoid if you have rosacea, so let’s dive in.
Which ingredients should you avoid if you have rosacea?
There are some ingredients you should avoid if you have rosacea:
- Alcohol
- Perfume
- Menthol
- Witch hazel
- Eucalyptus
These ingredients can affect your skin if you have rosacea. This may seem confusing, as some of them are considered natural or come from natural sources. Here’s a closer look at why it’s best to avoid these ingredients.
Alcohol
Using skincare products that contain alcohol may have some benefits for people with oily or blemish-prone skin, but this is not the case for people with rosacea or sensitive skin. The effects of alcohol include skin becoming tight, uncomfortable, and very dry, with the outer layer of the skin damaged and unable to regenerate naturally. These effects can accelerate a variety of issues, making the skin appear dull and inflamed, and showing various signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, for many people, alcohol isn’t just a problem in skincare products, drinking alcohol, especially wine, can also cause rosacea flare-ups.
Fragrance
We often take a quick sniff at skincare products, even if the label says they are fragrance-free. You won’t be offended if you want to use products with a pleasant smell, and fortunately, many natural ingredients used in products have great fragrances. It is synthetic fragrances that are added to the mix to give the product an overall scent or to hide bad smelling ingredients that can cause many problems for rosacea sufferers.
Determining whether a formula contains fragrance can be a tricky task, as there are many different names and types used throughout the beauty industry. The best thing to do is to choose a skincare product you want to try and research it in more detail from other rosacea sufferers on various websites or forums. You can also ask a dermatologist or GP for advice.
Menthol
You’ll often find menthol in products designed for acne-prone and oily skin types, as its clean, slightly tingling feel is preferred. However, menthol is alcohol, and as we’ve already discussed, alcohol is a no-no for sensitive skin types with rosacea and can trigger rashes and facial redness.
Witch Hazel
Yes, witch hazel is a natural ingredient and you might be wondering if it made it onto this list by accident. Although it’s highly praised for its astringent and antioxidant properties, it’s mixed with alcohol during the distillation process, making it very sensitive for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. While using witch hazel can be effective in treating some short-term skin issues, it can cause a host of problems in the long run.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is rich in antimicrobial properties and can easily soothe and heal the skin. However, there’s one important factor to keep in mind: eucalyptus is a very potent fragrance oil that anyone with rosacea should avoid to prevent redness.
These are some of the common ingredients in skincare products that are best avoided if you suffer from rosacea. Although it can be quite complicated to determine if your products contain these reactive ingredients, we recommend that you pay attention to the products you use on a daily basis. You may want to jot down your daily steps and if you have a reaction, refer to your notes to find out which products may have caused an outbreak.
Which ingredients are good for rosacea?
Whether your rosacea is mild or severe, it is always a good idea to use skincare products that contain ingredients that soothe the skin and keep it from getting red.
Azelaic acid
Although a lesser-known acid, azelaic acid is a phenomenal ingredient that is very effective for calming and soothing redness, whether it is from spots or breakouts such as rosacea. Using azelaic acid can cause a burning sensation, but it is known to rarely cause dry skin and itching, so it is a beneficial ingredient for people with sensitive skin and those prone to rosacea. If you are unsure or concerned, it is best to consult your GP before using any product. Read our article on azelaic acid and its effects on the skin in the blog.
Cosmeceuticals
These products are available over the counter and contain some bioactive ingredients that can treat and control rosacea. Green tea and niacinamide are two of the most commonly used remedies for soothing the discomfort caused by rosacea. If you would like to learn more, there is a post on the blog about the benefits of niacinamide for skin care.
What should I use to wash my face if I have rosacea?
The key to washing your face for rosacea is to be gentle, from the pressure you use to the ingredients in your skincare. By following a balanced and correct routine, you will notice:
Your skin will be more comfortable for longer
You will notice that the overall health of your skin will improve
You will notice fewer rosacea flare-ups
Here are some simple steps to help you maintain your routine and take care of your skin properly:
Wash your face twice a day
But remember to be gentle! Avoid products with the ingredients listed above and those that also contain foaming agents like SLS. Applying cleansing balms and milks with warm water and your fingers is the best way to thoroughly cleanse and nourish your skin.
Moisturize daily
By moisturizing regularly, you not only prevent dry skin, but you also ensure that the skin's protective barrier remains fully functional and able to fight free radicals or other skin-damaging molecules that clash with your face every day, causing acne and breakouts.
Use SPF Every Day
Not using SPF will not prevent rosacea breakouts. Even if the weather looks a little cloudy, skin-damaging UV rays can penetrate and contact your skin. To prevent further damage, it's best to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day.
Always Test Your Products
You'll have a better idea of whether your skin will react to a product if you always test it before applying it all over your skin. You can do a patch test by applying a small amount to the inside of your arm and leaving it on for 24 hours. Once this time has passed and there are no signs of a reaction, you can use the product on your face.
Below is more information on what ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea, as well as advice on what to do if you currently have any rosacea. As mentioned above, if you have skin issues or are using new products in your daily routine, it's best to consult a dermatologist, who can help you determine your skin's needs after examining your skin.
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