What NOT to use on rosacea

While reading several books about rosacea, I kept coming across the words “ice,” “cold packs,” and “cold water” to help control the redness associated with rosacea. I realize how frustrating having rosacea can be, but please heed this warning: Extremes in temperature, whether hot or cold, can and do have a negative effect on rosacea. Why? Because capillaries are immediately and adversely affected by temperature extremes, which can cause breaking or dysfunctioning of the capillaries, in a word—damage.

Because I believe rosacea is a vascular condition, you want to minimize dilation and constriction of the inherently weak capillaries. Therefore, using moderate temperatures on your skin is a must. Use tepid, lukewarm water on your face and use nothing in extreme (hot towels, steam, cold water splashes, and especially ice). If you have rosacea and you need to cool down your flushed face, by all means do what you have found to be effective. But if possible, steer clear of extreme cold and reach instead for something cool. As much as possible, go for moderate rather than extreme.

My face is not permanently red, but it tends to blush easily when I’m in a hot room. Sometimes when I’m with a lot of people my face goes red, and I find this very embarrassing. Can you suggest a good face cream that can cover this? What about creams with fruit acids?

I wonder if this woman has ever been diagnosed with rosacea. She said the redness was not permanent, but is triggered by circumstances—this could very well be the beginnings of rosacea. I realize she wants a solution. I doubt she can cover up that kind of all-encompassing redness that is probably just a temporary response to heat. Plus, using a covering cream would be treating her skin all the time for a response that only happens occasionally.

I would recommend she stay away from anything with fruit acids (AHAs). These ingredients will only serve to aggravate and possibly incite rosacea to appear. Even it she doesn’t have rosacea, she has a propensity for redness. AHAs will only worsen this problem.

Because rosacea can worsen over time, she might go to her dermatologist and, if diagnosed with rosacea, try using the topical medications and see if in the long run it helps her skin. Left untreated, a minor case of rosacea can turn into a chronic and never-ending concern.

For more information, see:

• PLEASE—No Hot Water!
• Ice & Skin?—Don’t do it! 
• Products and rosacea: What to AVOID
• What causes rosacea to flare up? Rosacea triggers