Rosacea is a group of conditions that are more a description of a ‘red face’ than an actual disease. Despite this array of conditions under one umbrella, it can range from simply being more prone to flushing, skin irritation and redness, to an infection with a skin mite called the Demodex mite. “Rosacea is a term that is thrown around a lot, but isn’t very specific at all,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “But, whatever the cause, it is nearly always frustrating to patients and sometimes debilitating. That’s one reason we love the ability to offer solutions and suggestions for improving it.” We’re here to break down what it is, how to treat it and some of our most recommended at-home products. Keep reading to learn:
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a condition characterized by redness, flushing, broken blood vessels, inflammation and bumps that may appear like an acne breakout against a background of ‘damaged skin’. It generally starts in the center of the face, gradually spreading to the cheeks, chin, forehead, nose and even eyes. It affects all skin types, though the symptoms can be more difficult to detect in deeper skin tones.
Is rosacea autoimmune?
There is no one single known cause of rosacea, so it is impossible to say if a particular individual’s is based on immune response, but it can play a role directly and indirectly in many cases. If that’s left you wondering if rosacea is an autoimmune disease, we understand. While it is not considered an autoimmune disease, it is an immune response within the body and is more commonly seen in those with autoimmune diseases like celiac or rheumatoid arthritis. However, this may just be due to changes in the skin that leave it open to attack by elements from the outside and within.
Rosacea vs. lupus
Rosacea and the rash of lupus may appear similarly, but they are not the same. Both conditions tend to flare with sun exposure, but they have a different overall appearance and texture. While rosacea flushing and redness tend to appear on the face and upper body, the rash of acute lupus is usually in the malar (central facial) area and can appear anywhere on the face and body. Lupus may also be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms such as joint pains, oral ulcers, and pain with breathing.
Facial redness can be caused by any number of things, from skin allergies or autoimmune diseases to a staph infection and mites on the skin. It’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist who can evaluate and treat the underlying cause of the redness.
What can a dermatologist do for rosacea?
“Sadly, many dermatologists consider rosacea to be an incurable condition, but this isn’t the case if you can identify the cause and treat that cause. Many treatments work alongside the standard therapies, however, and these are ones we focus on in our clinic and at LovelySkin,” says board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
When you visit the dermatologist, they will examine your skin to determine what is leading to your facial redness and will recommend some lifestyle changes that may help minimize symptoms.
We know rosacea flare-ups occur most often due to sun exposure, sudden changes in temperature, spicy foods, alcohol consumption and irritants in skin care products. To avoid these triggers, your dermatologist will recommend limited sun exposure (and ask you to wear a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen), avoid alcohol, cut back on spicy foods when possible and change your skin care routine. Hopefully, if a cause is identified, these won’t be as obvious in the future.
Then, your dermatologist will recommend products and medications. “Rosacea can be treated with medications like ivermectin and oral antibiotics under the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist. Depending on the type of rosacea, like forms that cause enlargement of the nose, other treatments can be used, such as lasers or other in-office procedures. Often, there are blood vessels left over after treatment that need to be lasered as well,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. The best success is usually seen with a combination of medications, in-office procedures and at-home products.
The best moisturizer for rosacea and other at-home products
When it comes to products for rosacea, the key is looking for ingredients that won’t irritate your skin. Once your dermatologist helps you determine the kind of rosacea you’re experiencing, they may recommend any number of products. These are some we recommend most at Schlessinger MD.
Jan Marini Skin Research RosaLieve Redness Reducing Complex
This treatment combines azelaic acid, botanicals and peptides to alleviate skin redness, soothe inflammation and keep skin soft and calm. Dr. Joel Schlessinger conducted the clinical trials on this product at Schlessinger MD Skin Research Center and can directly speak to the benefits it provides to rosacea-prone skin.
LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Mild 11% and Gentle Cream Cleanser
For patients with mild rosacea, Dr. Daniel Schlessinger likes to recommend this duo. The Gentle Cleanser helps remove makeup and impurities while gently exfoliating. The Exfoliating Gel uses a dermatologist-developed ingredient called afaLUXE™ that encourages natural exfoliation and cell turnover to boost collagen production and skin barrier function.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser and Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
People whose skin is highly sensitive, which is a large subset of what is diagnosed as rosacea, may need a less irritating option. The Hydrating Cleanser gently washes skin without stripping it, and the Sensitive Fluide helps hydrate and calm to reduce redness without leaving behind a greasy finish.
Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation
“While this isn’t a product I personally use, this is a foundation my wife swears by,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “She says it offers long-lasting coverage, looks very natural and doesn’t feel like she’s wearing any makeup. As a dermatologist, I recommend this to my patients who have eczema, psoriasis or rosacea as it helps provide the coverage they want while delivering oxygen to skin to promote healing and healthy collagen growth.”
If you’re ready for expert help with your rosacea treatment, it’s easy to visit our appointment portal and schedule an appointment with Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger.