How to care for skin with rosacea

Learn how to care for skin with rosacea and which everyday measures may help reduce flare-ups and keep the condition under better control.

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the central part of the face, particularly the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose, although other areas may also be involved.

Common clinical presentations include erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and papulopustular rosacea. These can cause persistent or recurrent facial redness, inflammatory lesions resembling acne and visible dilated blood vessels, known as telangiectasia. Rosacea is more frequently diagnosed in women, although it also affects men.

Its exact causes are not fully understood and, although rosacea is a chronic condition, our dermatologists specialising in rosacea treatment have a range of therapeutic options available to help control symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

There are also several everyday measures that can help patients care for rosacea-prone skin.

Basic advice for caring for skin with rosacea

Some of the most important recommendations include the following:

Gentle cleansing

A gentle daily cleansing routine is particularly important. Products such as cleansing milks, micellar waters or mild cream cleansers may be well tolerated, particularly when they are formulated for sensitive skin. Products containing alcohol, strong fragrances or potentially irritating ingredients should generally be avoided if they trigger symptoms. Cleansers that require rinsing are not necessarily unsuitable for rosacea, but harsh soaps or strongly foaming formulations may increase dryness or irritation in some patients.

The face should be washed with lukewarm rather than very hot water and dried gently by patting rather than rubbing. After cleansing, an appropriate moisturiser can help support the skin barrier. Daily photoprotection is also essential, as solar radiation is one of the most common triggers of rosacea flare-ups.

Suitable skincare products

Skincare should be selected according to individual tolerance and ideally formulated for sensitive or reactive skin. Depending on the patient’s symptoms and their dermatologist’s advice, products containing soothing, barrier-supporting or anti-redness ingredients may also be useful. Fragranced products and formulations that repeatedly cause burning, stinging or redness should be avoided.

Regular moisturising

Rosacea-prone skin often has impaired barrier function and increased transepidermal water loss, which can make it more susceptible to dryness, tightness and irritation. Regular use of a suitable moisturiser can therefore help improve comfort and support the skin barrier. Cold weather, wind and sudden changes in temperature can trigger symptoms in some patients, so additional use of emollient or barrier-supporting products may be helpful in these conditions.

What should you avoid if you have rosacea?

Rosacea triggers vary from person to person. Commonly reported triggers include alcohol, spicy food, very hot food or drinks, heat, cold, emotional stress and sun exposure. Smoking is harmful to general and skin health and is best avoided, although it should not be assumed to trigger rosacea in every patient in the same way. Potentially irritating skincare procedures or active ingredients, such as strong exfoliation, high-strength retinoids or some acids, may aggravate symptoms in certain patients. They are not universally contraindicated, but their use should be individualised and guided by a dermatologist where necessary. Mechanical cleansing brushes and aggressive exfoliation may also be poorly tolerated because friction can increase irritation.

Wearing make-up with rosacea

People with rosacea can usually wear make-up if the products are well tolerated. High-coverage foundations and concealers can help reduce the visible appearance of redness and telangiectasia. Green-tinted primers or correctors may also help neutralise redness before foundation is applied.

Some make-up products include sun protection, although they should not automatically be relied upon as the sole source of photoprotection unless an adequate amount can be applied evenly. For many patients, using a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen remains the most reliable approach.

Removing make-up gently at the end of the day is particularly important. Micellar water, cleansing milk or other mild cleansers may be suitable, depending on individual tolerance.

The key is to avoid excessive rubbing or repeated cleansing that irritates the skin. Products containing alcohol or fragrance may be poorly tolerated by some patients and should be avoided if they trigger symptoms.

We invite you to share this article about caring for skin with rosacea with family and friends who may find it useful.