How to Treat Rosacea

These rosacea-friendly skin care and makeup formulas instantly calm
and cover redness, allowing your natural beauty to shine through
Understanding rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that affects more than
16 million Americans, according to the National Rosacea Society.
It’s characterized by visible blood vessels (often enlarged
capillaries), redness, flushing, and pesky acne-like bumps (known
as acne rosacea)—most commonly on the cheeks, nose, chin, and
forehead. As it is a chronic condition, sufferers often experience
rosacea flare-ups and remissions.
Rosacea triggers
According to Arash Akhavan, MD, a dermatologist and founder of The
Dermatology & Laser Group in New York, NY,
rosacea triggers include eating inflammatory
foods, such as alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods,
and environmental factors, such as sunlight and
wind. “We also tell our patients to avoid certain
ingredients in skin care and cosmetics, such as
retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, and beta hydroxy
acids, which can be too harsh for sensitive
rosacea-prone skin.” Concerned your skin care
might be making symptoms worse? Read up on
the 8 signs your products are secretly damaging your face.

Soothing skin care
While makeup can cover rosacea symptoms, the
fewer symptoms there are to cover the better,
right? “Anti-inflammatory ingredients such as
niacinamide and ceramides can be particularly
helpful for combating the redness associated
with rosacea,” says Dr. Akhavan. For particularly
dry skin, he recommends cleansing with Cerave
Hydrating Cleanser, which has an abundance of
hydrating ceramides. Moisturizer is a must as it
strengthens the skin’s natural protective barrier,
keeping moisture in and irritants out. Look for
sensitive skin-friendly formulas with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and
humectants, like DERMAdoctor Calm Cool & Corrected. Here’s some advice
on finding the best rosacea skin care products that work for you.

The importance of SPF
As sun can trigger symptoms, it’s a good idea to invest in a daily lotion with
SPF protection. “A great sunscreen for rosacea sufferers is EltaMD UV
Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, which
contains niacinamide, and comes in both
tinted and untinted options,” says Dr.
Akhavan.
Redness correcting primer
JoAnn Solomon, a celebrity makeup artist in
New York, NY, recommends using a
neutralizing, green-hued primer, like L’oreal Correcting Primer or Makeup
Forever Color Correcting Primer, before applying foundation. On the color
wheel, green is the opposite of red, so it will help cancel out any redness on
your face.
Neutralizing correcting cream
For the rest of your face, Solomon suggests IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness
Neutralizing Correcting Cream, which is formulated with nurturing botanicals, like
colloidal oatmeal, green tea, and aloe, to calm and soothe skin.
Green-hued concealer
If you have any red spots that require extra coverage, green is going to
be your go-to hue, Solomon says. Pro picks: COVER FX Correct Click
Color Corrector and NYX Professional Makeup HD Concealer Wand
Green. These 12 magical makeup tricks make scars, spots, and dark
circles disappear.

Medium to full coverage concealer
Once major redness is taken care of, you still may have some more minor
spots to treat and even out. For that, Solomon says you’ll want a medium
to full coverage, sensitive skin-tested concealer, like Dermablend Smooth
Liquid Camo Concealer or Rosacea Care Concealer Sample Box.
Mineral foundation
“Mineral foundations are great because they are natural and less aggressive than traditional foundations,”
says Solomon. A mineral formula with SPF not only offers comfortable coverage but also shields against
harmful rays and inflammatory environmental factors. “My favorite is Colorescience Loose Mineral Powder
Foundation Brush SPF 20. It combines all-over coverage and sun
protection (thanks to natural minerals, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide).
And with its go-anywhere tube, you can touch up and cover up on the
go.” If you prefer a mineral foundation sans SPF for the evening, she
recommends Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten Baked Color Correcting
Foundation, with free radical-fighting centella asiatica and white tea.
Liquid foundation
While mineral foundation is a great choice, if you prefer liquid foundation,
that’s totally fine too—just be sure to read the label. Steer clear of
formulas with ingredients like fragrance, alcohol, propylene glycol, and
mineral oil, which can irritate skin and exacerbate rosacea. Look for formulas that heal and conceal (yes,
they exist!), like Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 With Probiotic Technology.
It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. Plus, it contains soothing ingredients to calm
irritation and probiotic technology to boost “good” bacteria and bolster your skin’s barrier against
aggressors.