What works best?

It is important that individuals with rosacea treat their skin gently when washing it. Experimenting with a few different products may be required until one finds the products that work best for his or her individual condition.¹

Here are some general guidelines¹:

• When washing, use a soap-free, alcohol-free cleanser recommended by a dermatologist
• Avoid rough washcloths, loofahs, brushes, or sponges; after washing, blot skin dry with a soft cotton towel
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight on the face; use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily
• Select fragrance-free products—they have less potential for irritating the skin
• Use makeup to hide blemishes and cover redness.
• Avoid powders, which can make dry flaky skin look worse

Avoiding flare-ups

There is a variety of potential triggers that may induce flare-ups of rosacea. For each individual, these triggers may be different, and it takes trial and error to see what may aggravate or induce a flare-up. Environmental factors that may induce flare-ups include wind, exercise, sun, and extreme temperatures. See the next section for a list of food and beverages that may be problematic for some people.

Food and beverages to avoid

Foods that may aggravate rosacea^1,2:

• Liver
• Yogurt
• Sour cream
• Cheese (except cottage cheese)
• Chocolate
• Vanilla
• Soy sauce
• Yeast extract (bread is OK)
• Vinegar
• Eggplant
• Avocados
• Spinach
• Broad-leaf beans and pods, including peas and lima and navy beans
• Citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins, and figs
• Spicy and thermally hot foods
• Foods high in histamine such as cheeses; fermented foods and beverages such as wines, beer, vermouths, ciders and vinegars; some Asian foods; processed beef and pork; and canned fish products such as anchovies, tuna, herring, mackerel, and sardines

Beverages that may aggravate rosacea^1,2:

• Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka, or champagne
• Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea

Stress relief

Although stress can be a significant rosacea trigger, it can also be effectively managed. In fact, a survey of rosacea patients affected by stress revealed that most patients who used stress management techniques had successfully reduced their flare-ups.

Here are a few important stress reduction techniques worth trying¹:

• Take care of your whole self—eat healthy, exercise moderately, and get the right amount of sleep
• Cut down on caffeine
• Try deep-breathing exercises—inhale and count to 10, then exhale and count to 10; repeat this exercise several times
• Use visualization techniques—sit in a quiet place, close your eyes, and visualize a beautiful vacation spot or favorite pleasurable activity or painting to reduce stress; hold the image for several minutes to feel its peacefulness and beauty
• Stretch out and relax all your muscles—relax muscles starting at the top of the head and work down to the toes