Rosacea-Friendly Skincare: What to Use (and What to Avoid!)
Rosacea is a common skin condition that can cause inflammation, redness, irritation and visible blood vessels. Although there currently isn't a cure for rosacea, the right skincare routine can help to ease some of the symptoms and leave skin feeling soothed, soft and protected from external triggers.
Gentle Cleansers
Choosing gentle products which don't contain soap, fragrance or alcohol can help to minimise irritation. We also recommend avoiding cleansers with exfoliating particles and bristled cleansing tools, both of which can cause additional damage and worsen inflammation.
It's really important to keep your skin clean, however, you should always apply your cleanser gently using just your fingertips and circular motions. Use warm water to rinse, taking care to remove all traces of the product without tugging at your skin. Take a clean, soft towel and gently pat your skin until it's completely dry, as rubbing can cause irritation and worsen your symptoms.
High Quality Humectants
Supporting the overall functionality of the skin barrier can help with a range of rosacea symptoms, so choosing a moisturiser with high quality humectants can be hugely beneficial. It's important not to overwhelm your skin with heavy moisturisers as this can clog pores and you should avoid products which contain ingredients that can cause irritation, such as essential oils, witch hazel and alcohol.
You may find that using products containing retinol can help to minimise inflammation, however it can also be drying so we may recommend using it a couple of times a week initially until your skin adjusts. This way, you'll start experiencing its benefits without putting unnecessary stress on your skin barrier.
Broad-Spectrum SPF
Everyone should be using a broad-spectrum SPF to protect their skin, however this is a particularly important step for people with rosacea as the sun can cause symptoms to become more prominent. You may benefit particularly from choosing mineral-based sunscreens, which are formulated with zinc and/or titanium dioxide and create a reflective barrier that prevents harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin.
Things to Avoid
While every person with rosacea is different, there are a number of ingredients you may want to avoid or minimise when putting together a gentle skincare routine. Ingredients like alcohol, fragrance, lactic and glycolic acids, camphor, menthol and sodium lauryl sulphate can cause irritation and may trigger a flare-up.
If your skin is feeling extra sensitive, avoiding toners and astringents is important. Instead, focus on nourishing your skin and strengthening your skin barrier. It's often best to choose creams over gels or lotions and to choose products that are non-comedogenic and won't clog your pores.
Create your Ideal Skincare Routine with The Pemberley Clinic
If you're experiencing symptoms of rosacea, we always recommend discussing your concerns with your GP, who may be able to prescribe products that will help. However, there are also many non-prescription, medical-grade skin care products from trusted brands that can help.
By booking a skin consultation with one of our experts, together we can analyse your skin and develop a bespoke treatment and/or skincare plan that is designed to secure the best outcomes for you. If we believe that treatment from a medical professional is required, we can also suggest a referral to a doctor or dermatologist.
We're also partnered with GetHarley, which enables us to deliver personalised medical-grade skincare products directly to your door. As part of this service, we offer online consultations, with £25 of the booking fee redeemable against the products that will help you to achieve your skin goals.
For more information about any of our services, please email booking@thepemberleyclinic.co.uk or call 07936 906688.