Rosacea Management in Summer

Rosacea mainly affects women and particularly women between the ages of 30 and 60. It is more common in fair skinned women and typically affects 1 in 20. As the peri-menopause and menopause arrive it can be particularly troublesome because hot flushes exacerbate the discomfort. It comes in different forms:

papulopustular rosacea: this is the one I see most of all, it causes flushing and red spots on your face, particularly the cheeks.
phymatous rosacea: this is where the skin gets thicker,  often creating raised areas on the nose, chin, forehead, ears, and eyelids
erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: this typically affects the T zone causing redness, often with burning, stinging, or itching
ocular rosacea: this is particularly uncomfortable because eyes feel sore and dry and often sensitive to light. Ocular rosacea can occur without the redness on the face or as a precursor to it starting.

For those that suffer from it, rosacea can be a roller coaster of flare ups and calm periods. There are certain triggers, exposure to sun being one of them, so finding strategies to manage a flare up in the summer is critically important. 

The management strategies need to concentrate on strategies for reducing inflammation in the body:

Food and Drink

• drink enough, keeping hydrated helps because it encourages elimination
• avoid very spicy food 
• cut down on alcohol
• up your omega 3s so increase the amount of nuts, oily fish and seeds in your diet
• antioxidant rich foods can help to reduce inflammation including the skin, so leafy green vegetables, the darker green the better so make Cavolo nero a regular in your diet
• prebiotics and probiotics help to support the gut microbiome which in turn support the healthy functioning of the skin so eat yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut which a probiotics and fibre-rich prebiotic foods like bananas, apples, watermelon, asparagus, garlic, onions,  young dandelion leaves, leeks, avocado, oats, barley, rye, chicory, ritual cacao, seaweed, flaxseeds. 
  

Lifestyle

• stay out of hot sun
• try to avoid very hot anything - baths, showers, saunas etc
• wear natural fibres to keep cool, cotton, linen, silk
• invest in hats that keep your face out of the sun
• manage stress, it can be a trigger. See a therapist, get support

Skincare

• The Harris Edition is formulated to help with rosacea, every ingredient is anti-inflammatory and skin soothing
• create a simple routine cleanse, mist, moisturise. The Harmonising Cleansing Balm is an oil to milk formulation so gentle but really strengthening. The Isle Mist is packed with skin calming plants, the Unblushing Cream is wonderfully soothing and gentle but effective. This simple trio is a really good place to start.
• avoid highly perfumed products
• avoid highly processed products, the fewer steps from plant to product the better
• Sunscreen - I have a real issue with the majority of sunscreens, they can be a cocktail of skin irritating ingredients. There are some that are lovely however, I would recommend Husk & Seed's SPF. It is very good indeed.

Flare ups

• For flare ups, I make a little bottle of remedies and herbs that works really well to take down the redness and discomfort of a rosacea flare up. Simply add a couple of drops to a little of the Unblushing Cream and apply it to the skin. It's not on the website but if you email me at amanda@asapoth.com I can arrange to have it added to your order.