In addition to medical therapy, rosacea sufferers often use many different products on their skin, from sunscreen to moisturizers to makeup. But because rosacea skin can be so sensitive, it’s important to know what’s in those products and avoid ingredients and products that could cause a flare-up.

A recent study found that rosacea patients may be hypersensitive to common ingredients in skin care and cosmetic products. Some skin care products may even contain ingredients that actively cause rosacea symptoms. For instance, skin lightening creams often contain corticosteroids, whose long-term use has been known to produce rosacea-like symptoms in otherwise healthy skin.

Here are some tips to help ensure a gentle and rosacea-friendly skin care routine:

• Pare down the number of products you use, and focus on creating a regular daily routine with products you know are tolerated by your skin.

• Choose fragrance-free products whenever possible. In an NRS survey, 30 percent of patients reported fragrances as a rosacea trigger.

• Test new products first. Before using a product on your face, try a small amount on skin in a peripheral area, such as your neck. If you have a reaction, avoid the product and note the ingredients.

• Avoid single-use and quick-fix products, as they may contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol, and can be potentially disruptive to your care regimen.

• Keep a diary tracking the products you use and the active ingredients they contain, and note any rosacea symptoms you experience after using them.

Reference:
Diczig B, Nemeth I, Sardy M, et al. Contact hypersensitivity in rosacea: a report on 143 cases. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Mar 10. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14922. [Epub ahead of print]