Rosacea is a common, long-term skin condition that mainly affects the sebaceous areas of the face. It is most common in women with fairer skin, but can also occur in men – with men being more prone to more severe symptoms.
Symptoms of Rosacea
The first signs of rosacea are often episodes of ‘flushing’, but as the condition progresses the symptoms can worsen and may include:
- Tenderness, burning, stinging, itching, pain
- Permanent redness
- Dry, rough skin
- Spots (papules and pustules)
- Visible blood vessels
- Facial swelling
What causes rosacea?
Rosacea is a so-called relapsing condition, meaning that patients may have periods when symptoms become much worse than at other times. It’s not really known what causes it, but the NHS states that common triggers include:
- Alcohol
- Spicy food
- Dairy / Cheese
- Caffeine
- Hot drinks
- Aerobic exercise, for example running
Scientists studying rosacea have also found some other important clues:
- It may be hereditary
- It may be caused by the immune system overreacting to a bacteria called Bacillus oleronius. This is associated with microscopic Demodex mites that are a natural part of the human microbiome
- The intestinal bacteria, H pylori, is common in people with rosacea
- People with rosacea may have too much cathelicidin (a protein that normally protects the skin from infection) and their body may process it differently than others, causing redness and inflammation.
Treating Rosacea
Rosacea can be controlled to some extent with long-term treatment, and there are many proactive choices you can make to help overcome this skin complaint. Remember that your skin often reflects what is happening internally. With that in mind, here are our top 5 tips to help you help your body restore its own balance and harmony.
Increase proper nutrition
Skin care and nutrition go hand in hand, because the food you consume can have huge and varied effects on your skin, so try:
- Avoid fatty junk/processed foods – increase fresh vegetables, especially green, raw, lightly steamed or stir-fried vegetables to build your blood and increase nutrient intake.
- Help flush out toxins by helping your kidneys – drink 8 large glasses of water (2 liters) daily, including fennel, nettle and peppermint tea.
- Cut out white sugar and keep natural sugars to a minimum – sugar promotes bacterial growth on the skin and the proliferation of Candida albicans in the intestines. Try a probiotic supplement if you have slow digestion/bloating, or have recently been on antibiotics.
- Increase the number of zinc-rich foods that help improve immunity and skin condition – including shellfish, poultry (especially turkey) and brown rice.
- Increase sulfur-rich foods – good for skin renewal and repair – including onions, garlic and eggs.
Check for sensitivities and intolerances
If you have low energy, poor digestion or other health problems, consider allergy testing – through a doctor’s referral or by a kinesiologist – to determine if you are reacting to food allergies. Although Rosacea is not directly a symptom of a food allergy, the diet you eat can certainly influence the extent to which you suffer from it.
Prevent the pores from becoming clogged due to excessive sebum production
People with rosacea usually have larger sebaceous glands that produce more sebum than normal. Try to exfoliate regularly with a gentle exfoliant to prevent pores from becoming clogged and infected.
Make your own scrub by combining one teaspoon of finely ground Dead Sea Salt with one tablespoon of ground oatmeal, plus 1 tablespoon of Ultra Fine French Green Clay. Mix into a paste with water or our Rose Hydrolat and add 2 drops of Tea Tree and 3 drops of Geranium essential oil. Mix well and apply to the face with gentle rotating movements – wash off with cold water to help close the pores.
You can also help tighten pores by using a facial toner with natural antibacterial agents. To make your own mixture, mix 100 ml Rose Hydrolate, 20 ml Witch Hazel Hydrolate and 5 drops Tea Tree, 5 drops Geranium, 4 drops Cypress and 2 drops Rose. Gently wipe the T-zone or other affected areas with a cotton pad. Always perform a skin patch test first.
Lifestyle Turbocharging: Reduce inflammation gently and naturally
- Quit smoking if you can – this will further increase toxin overload and deplete your body of zinc and vitamin C – both essential for good skin and immunity.
- Exercise regularly to stimulate your circulation, which will improve oxygen supply to skin cells and further stimulate renewal and repair mechanisms.
- Don’t go too long without eating as you may be more likely to reach for chocolate or fatty foods. Nibble on healthy snacks like seeds and nuts – one Brazil nut contains all the selenium you need in one day!
Stimulate healthy skin regeneration
Use natural, “clean” skin care products – free from synthetic petrochemical derivatives and artificial fragrances and dyes.
Try making your own with Base Formula’s fragrance-free bases and adding essential oils as desired. For a light DIY moisturizing lotion (best to keep it light) mix 50 ml of organic moisturizing lotion with 1 drop of Neroli essential oil, 1 drop of rose, 3 drops of Cypress, 2 drops of frankincense and 5 drops of lavender. These oils help neutralize bacteria, close skin pores and stimulate healthy skin cell turnover. Always test on sensitive skin first.
Tamanu seed oil is also thought to be helpful in soothing the symptoms of rosacea, thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and regenerative effects. The oil is best used diluted for application to larger areas, so try adding a few drops to the moisturizing mixture above. Again, test for any sensitivities first and avoid if you have a nut allergy.
In addition to the above, you should also wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day. Try to avoid heat, sunlight and humid conditions and cover your face in cold weather.
Because stress can be a contributing factor to skin conditions such as Rosacea, you may also be interested in the following blogs:
Sharon Lovett
Marketing manager