Living with rosacea can be challenging, especially since redness and inflammation triggers can be inconsistent and vary across patients. “Foods and drinks are common culprits of rosacea flares, specifically spicy foods, hot drinks, and anything that contains caffeine and red wine,” says High Point, NC, dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD. But with a little work, you can keep your flare-ups under control. “Keeping a journal of what you eat and drink and when your rosacea flares can help you discover which foods and beverages may aggravate your rosacea,” suggests Dr. Draelos.
Read on for six additional easy-to-incorporate tips for managing your rosacea from Dr. Draelos:
1. Don’t overheat. Extremely hot temperatures often aggravate rosacea.
2. Protect your face from wind and cold. Covering your face with a scarf helps protect your skin. Just make sure that the material touching your face is not made of wool or a fabric that feels rough to the touch. These fabrics can irritate the skin.
3. Apply a sunscreen before going outside since sun exposure can cause rosacea to flare. Look for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (as these ingredients are the least irritating), have broad-spectrum protection and have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. A sunscreen that contains silicone also can help protect the skin and minimize stinging and redness. On the list of ingredients, silicone may be called dimethicone or cyclomethicone.
4. Take good care of your skin. Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, or massaging the face.
5. When using hair spray, make sure the spray does not get on your face.
6. Keep your skin care routine simple. Using too many products may irritate the skin.
“Since rosacea may be more easily treated when diagnosed early, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as you first start noticing changes in your skin,” says Dr. Draelos.
