Most Common Rosacea Triggers
Emotional stress, hot or cold weather, wind, alcohol, spicy foods, heated beverages, and heavy exercise can all trigger symptoms of rosacea, but do you know the most common trigger? Sun exposure! Just by protecting your red, sensitive skin, you can help to alleviate your symptoms. April is National Rosacea Awareness Month, which means now is the time to educate your loved ones who may be experiencing this misunderstood skin condition, without even knowing it. In a survey done by the National Rosacea Society, they found that 95 percent of rosacea patients had little or no knowledge of rosacea’s signs or symptoms before their diagnosis, and 90% said it had lowered their self-esteem.
Do You Have Rosacea?
Common signs of rosacea are facial burning, stinging and itching. Some may also experience swelling of the face from fluid buildup, which can cause the cheeks to appear “baggy.” There also is no particular skin type affected by rosacea. You can experience excessively dry, flaky skin, oily skin or everything in between. Rosacea can present itself in different ways for different people, so it’s best to consult your physician if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. You can search our professional partners here.
What’s the Difference Between Acne and Rosacea?
It is very common for rosacea sufferers to confuse their symptoms with acne. Aggressive acne treatments can exacerbate rosacea symptoms, so it’s vital to distinguish between the two skin conditions.
"Acne Vulgaris is associated with plugging of the ducts of the oil glands, resulting in blackheads and pimples on the face and sometimes the back, shoulders or chest. Rosacea seems to be linked to the vascular network of the central facial skin and causes redness, bumps, pimples and other symptoms that rarely go beyond the face." – Rosacea.org
How Can You Protect Your Skin?
Wear sunscreen year-round and always reapply every two hours! “You’ve got to be sure that sunscreen becomes your best friend. And in fact, if you are someone that has rosacea, we don’t want you leaving your house at all without sunscreen. Keep it next to your toothpaste,” says Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD.
The National Rosacea Society recommends a non-chemical sunscreen, such as a convenient mineral formulation, that contains zinc or titanium dioxide and offers UVA/UVB protection. Colorescience® Sunforgettable Brush-on Sunscreen SPF 50 is the ideal solution for all Rosacea sufferers. It fits the requirements of The National Rosacea Society and is portable, meaning you can take it with you anywhere to reapply during the day. The gentle mineral formula won’t cause redness and irritation to the skin. “It doesn’t irritate my skin like a lot of sunscreens out on the market,” says Marie, Colorescience® customer.
How Can You Conceal Redness and Breakouts?
The worst thing you can do for red, sensitive skin is to apply cosmetics with irritating ingredients. Fragrances, oils and harsh chemicals can inflame the skin only making the skin redder and more irritated. Luckily, Colorescience® formulates skin-loving ingredients that illuminate and brighten the skin. Our new Mineral Corrector Palette SPF 20 includes color correcting shades to help lighten and correct red tones, plus the addition of SPF 20 chemical-free, broad spectrum sun protection to further shield the skin. “Absolutely love the coverage of this product! It covers blemishes and imperfections without irritating my skin. It also blends so well it doesn’t look like you put a corrector on your face,” says Mary, Colorescience® customer.
(Left photo - bare skin, right photo - with Calming Perfector + Pressed Foundation)
Our Calming Perfector SPF 20 instantly neutralizes red tones with a universal golden-nude tint and rejuvenates the skin with Cucumber and Cactus Extracts. It also includes broad spectrum SPF 20 sunscreen for an additional layer of protection against flare ups and damage. “This primer is wonderful for my rosacea. It definitely helps with the appearance of redness. I sometimes wear it alone because of its calming effect,” says Marie, Colorescience® customer.
Rosacea affects more than 16 million Americans, but no one should suffer in silence. Now that you know the symptoms and that sun protection is essential, make it a priority this month and every month to educate your loved ones on this common, yet very frustrating skin condition.