Try these nine helpful skin-care tips.
1. Learn Your Triggers
Each person with rosacea has different triggers, or things that make their rosacea worse. This can include some ingredients in skin care products, such as cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup.
For many people with rosacea, learning which skin products work involves trial and error.
“I recommend trying a new product on a small area of skin for a few weeks first,” says Elizabeth S. Martin, MD. She is a dermatologist in private practice in Hoover, AL. “You want to make sure it doesn’t cause redness, burning, or stinging. If a product irritates your skin, don’t use it.”
2. Avoid Products That Dry Skin
Check out labels on skin care products, and watch out for ingredients that can dry out your skin. These include:
- Alcohol
- Witch hazel
- Menthol
- Camphor
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus oil
- Fragrances
- Propylene glycol
3. Keep It Simple
In general, look for products with mild ingredients and no added fragrance. The more ingredients in a product, the more likely it will irritate your skin. If you’re not sure about a product, ask to try a sample. Or check with your dermatologist.
“I have my patients bring in all the skin products they use, so we can go over which ones to avoid,” says Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD. He’s a clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
