Caring for Rosacea-prone Skin
Tip 1: Choose suitable products
According to surveys by the National Rosacea Society, patients reported that the following ingredients may trigger rosacea: alcohol (66 percent), witch hazel (30 percent), fragrance (30 percent), menthol (21 percent), peppermint (14 percent) and eucalyptus oil (13 percent). Astringents and exfoliating agents may also be too harsh for skin with rosacea.
Before using a product on your face, test it by using it on skin in a peripheral area, such as the neck or behind the ear. If you have a reaction, avoid the product and note the ingredients. Rosacea irritants may vary from person to person, so your own skin’s reaction should be your guide.
Tip 2: Cleansing
Gentle cleansing is essential for skin with rosacea. Twice-daily cleansing washes away dirt, excess oil, bacteria and residue from skin-care and makeup. It’s the first step in any skin care routine to soothe and treat your skin.
Try ZO® Medical Foamacleanse™ Gentle Foaming Cleanser to remove all traces of makeup and oil without drying out your skin.
This can be followed by gentle exfoliation with Offects® Exfoliating Polish (maximum frequency of once a day, when required). Offects® TE-Pads can be used twice daily after cleansing to reduce sebum and remove dead skin cells while soothing irritated skin.
Tip 3: Moisturise and Repair
Moisturizer is a key for preventing the burning, stinging, itching and irritation often associated with rosacea, as well as building a strong moisture barrier to help keep out impurities and irritants that may aggravate sensitive skin. Rosacea often involves a defective moisture barrier in the facial skin as well as greater than normal transepidermal water loss, both of which may contribute to the skin’s irritability and susceptibility to inflammation.
Ossential™ Daily Power Defense is lightweight lotion that helps to support the skin’s natural mechanism to repair damage and protect against future skin damage.
Tip 4: Treat
If you have been prescribed with topical medication for rosacea, you should apply it as directed by your doctor. For milder cases, ZO has developed Rozatrol™ Normalizing Serum, a daily treatment serum for red, sensitized, rosacea-prone skin. As individual symptoms of rosacea vary, your dermatologist would be the best person to tailor treatment specifically for your condition.
Tip 5: Sun Protection
Sun protection is essential, as the sun is one of the top triggers for rosacea flares. Apply sun block generously to the face and neck and reapply every 1-2 hours. This protocol recommended by Dr Zein Obagi helps to improve issues associated with rosacea-affected skin, such as oiliness, enlarged pores, papules and pustles, rough texture and uneven skin tone. With a suitable skin care regimen, rosacea can be reversed and controlled.