Understanding Rosacea: Causes, Treatments, and Skincare Recommendations
What Causes Rosacea?
If you’re dealing with rosacea, you’re not alone—and I know how frustrating and confusing it can be. The truth is, we don’t know exactly what causes rosacea, but we do have a good understanding of what can contribute to it. In many cases, it runs in families, so genetics may play a role.
Rosacea is often the result of your immune system overreacting to certain triggers, which leads to the inflammation and redness you’re seeing. There’s also a type of microscopic skin mite called Demodex that tends to be more present in people with rosacea, and while everyone has these mites, higher levels may be a factor in flare-ups.
What’s really important to understand is that rosacea is very sensitive to external triggers. Things like sun exposure, hot or cold weather, spicy foods, alcohol, and even stress can all lead to a flare. These triggers cause your blood vessels to dilate more easily, which is why your skin might flush or feel warm and irritated.
How We Treat Rosacea
While there’s no “one-size-fits-all” cure for rosacea, the good news is that there are several very effective ways to manage it—and together, we’ll find what works best for you.
For many people, we start with gentle topical medications to calm the skin. Ingredients like metronidazole or azelaic acid help reduce redness and inflammation. If your skin is especially reactive, we might also consider a treatment like ivermectin, which addresses both inflammation and those pesky skin mites we mentioned.
If your rosacea is more advanced or if you're experiencing breakouts and inflammation that don't respond to topicals alone, we might look at oral options like low-dose doxycycline. It’s commonly used not just as an antibiotic but for its ability to reduce inflammation in the skin.
You can help manage your symptoms by incorporating an SPF of 30 or more into your routine daily, even if it is cloudy. You can also keep track of your diet to see if you can discover if your flare-ups are linked to your diet. Always use gentle skincare products and avoid products with alcohol, menthol, or fragrances.
Rosacea care is always personalized. When you book your complimentary skincare consultation at Habit with one of our skin experts, we’ll also discuss what triggers may affect your skin and work on a skincare routine that strengthens your barrier and avoids irritation. With the proper support, you can get your symptoms under control and feel confident in your skin again. We can also refer you to our NP of Dermatology, Jacqueline, to discuss prescribing something if we feel that is necessary to treat your skin. While we offer a custom skincare plan as part of our consultation, we have listed our most popular products used by our rosacea clients below.
Skincare Recommendations to help with Rosacea:
Incorporating gentle, non-irritating skincare products can help manage rosacea symptoms. Here are some recommendations:
SkinBetter Science
Alto Defense Serum: Provides antioxidant protection to reduce inflammation.
Hydration Boosting Cream: Offers deep hydration without clogging pores.
iS Clinical
Pro-Heal Serum Advance+: Combines antioxidants and vitamins to soothe irritated skin.
Shield Recovery Balm: Designed to reduce redness and discomfort.
GlyMed Plus
Gentle Facial Wash: A mild cleanser that maintains skin's natural balance.
Rosacea Relief: Formulated specifically to calm and reduce rosacea symptoms.
Face Reality
Ultra Gentle Cleanser: Cleanses without stripping moisture.
HydraCalm Mask: Soothes and hydrates sensitive skin.
Ready to stop struggling with your skin? Book your consultation now and let's make your skin something that you no longer feel frustrated with. Good skin starts here.