A survey of 1,023 rosacea patients by the National Rosacea Society identified types of skin-care products and ingredients that commonly pose problems for rosacea sufferers.

For women, the biggest culprits were astringents/toners (49.5 percent), soap (40 percent), exfoliant agents (34 percent), makeup (29 percent), perfume/cologne (27 percent), moisturizer (25.5 percent) and hairsprays (20 percent). For men, over 24 percent said flare-ups had been caused by shaving lotion; nearly 24 percent were sensitive to soap; 19 percent were affected by perfume/cologne; and sunscreen aggravated 13 percent.

Topping the list as the most irritating ingredient was alcohol, affecting 66 percent of all respondents. Other frequently aggravating ingredients included witch hazel (30 percent), fragrance (29.5 percent), menthol (21 percent), peppermint (14 percent) and eucalyptus oil (13 percent).

Despite the variety of skin-care products that may aggravate rosacea, 78 percent of the women and 56 percent of the men said they are now using effective skin-care products that do not irritate their condition.