Sometimes there’s some truth to the myth. The red, swollen and bumpy nose of rosacea was long associated in popular discourse with heavy alcohol consumption; it’s been historically referred to as drinker’s nose, and W.C. Fields referred to the bumps on his trademark nose as “gin blossoms.” The reality, however, is that even those who have never had a drop of alcohol can develop rosacea and a red nose — but now a new study suggests that excessive drinking may indeed be a factor in the severity of this condition.¹

We all know many rosacea patients are affected by alcohol, but what about the alcohol hiding in your medicine cabinet? When you read the ingredient label on the back of a skin care product, you may discover multiple varieties of alcohol listed. Each of these can serve a different purpose, which may or may not be problematic for rosacea skin.

Before the advent of modern medicine, it was commonly believed that rosacea was a side effect of excessive drinking. Today, of course, we know that rosacea is not a symptom of alcoholism, nor is there any reason to think that people with rosacea necessarily drink more than the average adult — in fact, even a teetotaler may have the condition. 

While beer, wine or cocktails may play a role in many social events, rosacea patients who are prone to alcohol-related flare-ups often feel vulnerable when it comes time to raise a toast.  Here are some tips to help you feel more at ease when the drinks are flowing freely.

•  Avoid red wine.  Red wine and rosacea flare-ups go hand-in-hand for many sufferers and the best way to lessen the effects is to avoid it.

Q. I have special sunscreen, topical medication and special makeup. In what order should these three things be applied to my face?

A. From both medical and cosmetic standpoints, it makes much more sense to apply your medication before applying your sunscreen and makeup.

While some people may enjoy a drink or two as a way to lift their spirits or relax and unwind, many rosacea patients find that alcohol simply adds to their stress level by causing an outbreak of signs and symptoms.

Q: Is wine used in cooking, wherein the alcohol has evaporated, still considered a rosacea trigger?

A. It stands to reason that wine may not affect your rosacea if the alcohol is removed in cooking. However, as with all rosacea triggers, what affects one person may not affect another. If wine affects your rosacea, the only way to know for sure whether its residue in cooking is also a trigger is to try it to determine your sensitivity.

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.

A new survey by the National Rosacea Society found that certain alcoholic beverages may affect rosacea more than others, while also dispelling the common myth that the condition is caused by heavy drinking.

In the survey of more than 700 rosacea patients, 10 percent of the respondents said they rarely or never drank alcohol, and an additional 10 percent reported that consuming alcoholic beverages had no affect on their disorder.

A survey recently conducted by the National Rosacea Society helps identify types of skin-care products that commonly pose problems for rosacea sufferers and which ingredients may be important to avoid.