If you are a rosacea sufferer you’ll be aware that your skin is sensitive and easily irritated. You might find it much better to use specially formulated rosacea skin care products that are mild and will not make the symptoms worse. If you find that a skin care preparation causes a stinging or burning sensation then you should stop using it.

A number of sufferers have found that skin care products that contain clove oil, salicylic acid, menthol, peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil have resulted in soreness of their skin so be extremely careful if you buy a product that contains one or more of these ingredients and apply a very small test amount first.

Rosacea sufferers are often more hypersensitive to the rays of the sun which may cause flare ups. You should aways use a good quality sunscreen even on cloudy days for best protection. A sunscreen containing titanium dioxide or zinc may be preferable as these ingredients won’t aggravate the skin.

Treatments for Rosacea

It’s very important, if you have symptoms that indicate rosacea, that you see a dermatologist or other medical practitioner who can give you an appropriate treatment. The most frequent treatment that is prescribed is a combined course of oral antibiotics followed by medicines, in the form of lotions or creams, that can help control the problem in the long term. These decrease inflammation which can reduce the redness that is seen with rosacea and can decrease the incidence of flare ups.

The topical medicines boost the antibiotics effect and assist with long term control. Some medicines very often prescribed are sodium sulfacetamide, azaleic acid and metronidazole.

For rosacea sufferers who fail to respond to these treatments or who have very severe rosacea with disfigurement, there are alternative options. Laser therapy is often used to take care of the the tiny, visible blood vessels on the surface of the skin, the skin’s surface, dermabrasion can be used or even plastic surgery.

Dermabrasion removes the top layer of the skin which leaves it clearer. For sufferers of rosacea who have thickening of the skin, in particular in the region of the nose, plastic surgery can be an effective option to repair areas that are severely damaged.

Ingredients Used in Rosacea Skin Care Products

As soon as the condition is under control, over the counter skin care preparations can be used effectively. Specially formulated rosacea skin care products are available that are non-irritating and mild, contain ingredients that have been shown to be helpful for sufferers and have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Some ingredients found beneficial include Willowherb and Vitamin K. Willowherb has a long tradition of use for treating inflammation and is very good for decreasing the redness resulting from by rosacea. Vitamin K is vital for blood vessel health and is useful in healing damaged capillaries in the face.

Bio Maple is another ingredient that has been reported to be helpful in decreasing redness and skin blemishes and helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria. It’s extracted from maple trees and has a similar pH to that of skin.

Cosmetics

Women should also take care when they apply cosmetics. Very heavy cosmetics can block up the pores in the skin and trap oil, which will promote the growth of bacteria. An oil free, light cosmetics most beneficial.

Conclusion

While rosacea is a painful and embarrassing condition treatments are available. In addition to using topical medicines, looking after your skin and being careful of the products you apply to your face, will result in a marked improvement.

For more helpful information on rosacea visit Choosing Rosacea Skin Care Preparations