‘I have rosacea, this is my new and improved 4-step skincare lineup’

Hi, lovely to meet you. My name is Scarlett and I have rosacea. Admittedly we’re talking mild rosacea. Still, it’s something that I’m aware of most days. 

Look, rosacea probably isn’t something that you hang around your neck like a sign similar to, say, the above announcement, but if you have the telltale redness on your face you can certainly feel that way. So at the ripe age of 35 I decided it was time to sniff out some causation behind the redness. “My Dad is Scottish, it’s in my genes” was no longer going to cut it as the sole player and cause. 

So, here’s my deep dive into skincare and makeup if you have rosacea, and how to best support your skin barrier and get The Glow. Throw a few experts in, and you have a comprehensive guide on how to treat your rosacea in a non-invasive way. Godspeed, and non-rosy prayers to you. 

Also, as with all things skincare, it’s always best to speak to your derm, facialist or GP if you have any specific concerns for a tailored approach. 

What is rosacea?

So for those unaccustomed, rosacea (pronounced ro-zay-sha) is a common skin condition whereby the face appears flushed or red to varying degrees. It affects around one in 20 people in Australia, and can range from subtle redness, to visible blood vessels, bumps and sometimes eye irritation. Delish.

Jordan Allomes, MECCA skincare education lead, describes it as an, “inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, and is characterised by redness, visible blood vessels, and textured skin.”

Allomes went on to highlight that there are several subtypes of rosacea, and the symptoms experienced can vary from person to person.

The four types of rosacea

• Type one, also known as erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (rolls off the tongue, right?), is the first sign of rosacea. “It’s characterised by a prolonged flush of the skin and dilated capillaries – small red or purple clusters with a spidery appearance – are also seen, which can cause further redness,” explains Dr Sam Bunting of Dr Sam’s skincare
• Type two, inflammatory rosacea, is the most recognisable form. “This is often confused with acne because it shows up as red spots (papules) and whiteheads (pustules), which typically appear in the centre of your face, over the cheeks and chin,” says Bunting.
• Type three, phymatous rosacea, isn’t as common. “It’s mostly seen in men and is characterised by firm, thickened, red and bumpy areas of the skin which typically affects the nose area.”
• Type four is called ocular rosacea, and this is where the condition can occur in the eyes. Symptoms often include swollen eyelids, bloodshot eyes, burning or itching of the skin and feeling like you have something in your eye.

Rosacea isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. It can affect everyone in different severities, no matter their skin type or tone. One of the biggest myths about rosacea is that it only affects those with fair skin and light eyes. What’s more, rosacea is more than just a superficial concern; it’s a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and underlying inflammation.

Mukti, founder of Mukti Organics, stresses the importance of reviewing your skin barrier. And to examine other aspects while you’re at it, such as stress, hormones, your cycle and whether this flares your skin at a particular time, and peri and post-menopause side effects.

Another thing to watch out for? Perioral dermatitis. Mukti explains that it, “can present as rosacea, acne or dermatitis and have overlapping features such as folliculitis/acne spots.” 

Low and behold, I had that too. See below. 

 See that rouge congregation below my lip? Perioral dermatitis.

How do you clear up rosacea?

Well, it’s not a simple one-step affair. Rosacea comes in many different forms, and as yet researchers are unaware of why it flares up.

One explanation could be that the regulation of blood vessels in the face is all out of whack. Another explanation could be around the gut biome and whether bacteria is out of kilter. Often internal imbalances can reflect externally; your body is sending you a message. For me, it’s in the form of a face with highlights the perfect shade of puce. 

On a higher level, you can start by reviewing the skincare you use, and how you can support your sensitive skin. Think preservative-, fragrance- and strong active-free. This is where I decided to start the journey at a topical level. 

What’s the best skincare routine for rosacea?

Speaking with James Vivian, dermal therapist, the first topical, skincare step is to conduct an initial review of your face. In my case, I had not only rosacea (type one) but perioral dermatitis (glam) and an impaired barrier (joy). Time to give my skincare and makeup routine a bit of an overhaul.

“Rosacea skins, when looked after well, can still make for healthy, bright and impressive complexions. They simply just require a little bit more care and attention,” explains Vivian. “On the flip side, if we don’t care for our skin enough, or use incorrect products, our problem areas doesn’t improve, and can in fact become worse.”

Vivian’s main message: Remember, the skin will always tell you what it likes and what it doesn’t. If the skin isn’t improving, or getting worse, it’s time to try something else.

Which types of products are good for rosacea?

Vivian recommends a less is more approach, especially in the beginning to avoid flare ups from active skincare. Start slowly and look for soothing, calming ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides and omega oils. Exfoliation should be gentle and ideally in the form of an enzymatic exfoliant.

So with that I started with the below products. Why? Because they make the skin stronger, thicker and more resilient, which in turn makes it calmer. While some of these products were gifted, I am only recommending those that I have seen true results from.