Rosacea is sometimes referred to as ‘adult acne’. Your face becomes flushed and red due to dilation of the small blood vessels close to the skin surface.
It is often accompanied with severe dryness and irritation around the chin, cheeks, nose and forehead.
You might also experience red spots and pustules which are dome-shaped rather than pointed (there are generally no blackheads, whiteheads or lumps).
If you suffer from rosacea your skin is likely to react to changes in temperature and ingredients such as fragrances, alcohol (ethanol/ethyl alcohol) and fruit acids used in skin care products.
You may also have problems with your digestion and certain foods such as spicy meals, coffee and oranges often trigger the condition. Rosacea can also be triggered by small amounts of alcohol – especially port and spirits.
What to avoid: foods
• Avoid steaming hot soup, coffee, spicy nachos and alcohol. Stay away from ‘hot’ spices such as white and black pepper, paprika, red pepper and cayenne. Some rosacea sufferers have reported a wide variety of foods that trigger flare-ups, examples are cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, vinegar, aubergines, avocados, spinach, broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in histamine or niacin.
What you can do: care for your skin
• Wear a natural sunscreen with an SPF15 year round. Under makeup you could use Green People's Day Solution SPF15 (male customers might prefer this comparable product, maybe without the makeup), or our mildest sun care suits facial use - No Scent Sun Lotion SPF15
• Keep your face cool. If possible, stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment on hot, humid days. If this is impossible, sip cold drinks or chew on ice cubes to lower facial temperature or spray yourself with Toning Facial Mist
• Combat extreme cold by covering your cheeks and nose with a scarf
• Use a gentle, natural moisturiser during cold weather to protect against the drying effects of cold and wind - No Scent 24-hour Cream is very popular
• Avoid hot water, hot tubs and saunas. They bring on flushing and aggravate
• Begin each day with a thorough and gentle facial cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser that is not grainy or abrasive and spread it with your fingertips. Rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove all dirt and soap, and use a thick cotton towel to gently blot the face dry - Organic Base No Scent Cleanser would work well.
• Never pull, tug, scratch or treat your face harshly. Avoid any rough washcloths, brushes or sponges.
• Select fragrance-free products or use products scented with organic essential oils (only if your skin agrees with them).
