Rosacea is a skin condition that is easily recognized by redness, bumps, and pimples that appear on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. It can spread to the ears, back, and chest.
Many people who develop rosacea tend to have family members who have it, which makes sense given the latest research on genetic causes.
The specific cause of rosacea is still unknown, however, but there are many factors that can trigger it and there is a connection with both liver and gut health (see further down).
Four types of rosacea
1. Facial redness
This type of rosacea manifests as persistent redness and flushing on the cheeks and nose with blood vessels that are often visible.
Dry, itchy skin and roughness may also occur. It is officially called Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and is the most common subtype.
2. Acne rosacea
Breakouts, similar to acne, with bumps or actual pimples occur with this type of rosacea.
Some people also develop raised skin patches called plaques. This type is called papulopustular rosacea.
3. Swollen nose
In some cases, the skin of the nose thickens and becomes red, bumpy, irregular and swollen, but can also occur on the ears, chin and forehead.
This condition is also known as Phymatous rosacea. This subtype is more common in men than in women.
4. Ocular rosacea
As it sounds, this condition affects the eyes.
They may appear red and irritated, bloodshot or watery. The eyelids may swell up.
What can trigger rosacea symptoms?
Certain foods and alcohol
Common foods that lead to symptoms include:
Dairy products such as sour cream and cheese
Chocolate
Vinegar
Certain vegetables such as aubergine and tomatoes
Citrus fruits
Spicy food
Alcohol
Coffee
Fried food, trans fats and refined vegetable oils
Pay attention to what usually causes flare-ups in you specifically and avoid these triggering factors.
Stress, anxiety and anger
Stress and anxiety can cause symptoms to occur or make existing symptoms worse. Anger also has a negative impact.
Heat, sun, wind and humidity
Extreme weather conditions and strong sunlight negatively affect most people with rosacea.
What can you do?
You can make lifestyle changes if you haven't already done so. Think of rosacea as a "whole-body problem" and not just a skin problem!
There are many holistic measures you can take to prevent rosacea from causing painful or troublesome redness and irritation.
Your skin is ultimately a reflection of your overall health, how well you digest nutrients, whether you have any sensitivities or hidden allergies, how well-balanced your hormone levels are, whether you get enough sleep, and more.
Remember that rosacea has nothing to do with poor hygiene but is caused by internal factors.
Stomach and liver health
There is often a connection between skin diseases – including rosacea, acne, dermatitis and psoriasis – and inflammatory diseases in the gastrointestinal tract, such as leaky gut syndrome, ulcerative colitis, SIBO symptoms, Crohn's disease and celiac disease.
The specific cause of rosacea is, as mentioned, still unknown, but there is usually a connection with the stomach and/or liver.
Some believe that skin problems come from the liver and intestinal tract, for example eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, vitiligo and age spots.
Healthy liver function provides good metabolism of hormones and chemicals, which should be eliminated from the body.
If this doesn't work properly, it can contribute to, for example, estrogen dominance or chemical overload that can trigger rosacea. Many people with rosacea have an overburdened liver.
Bacteria
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that can live in the gastrointestinal tract. Many people with rosacea have an H. pylori infection or often SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, where bacteria that normally resides in the colon grows in the small intestine).
However, no person is exactly the same and not everyone who has rosacea has elevated H. pylori. Therefore, it's important that you find this out. You can test yourself with a doctor for both H. pylori and SIBO.
Remember:
What works for one person may not work for another.
This is why treating rosacea is a process. If you are currently taking medication or using prescription cream, you can still support your body in a natural way, you do what is best for you.
Diet – What can I eat?
Diet plays a large, important role in your health. By choosing the "right" foods, you can give your liver and gut a break.
Organic vegetables, organic fruit and berries. Reduce your exposure to toxins and chemicals that can trigger skin reactions by buying organic. Chemical toxins are often triggering for those with rosacea.
Healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds (such as flaxseeds and chia seeds).
High-quality "clean proteins".
Anti-inflammatory foods and herbs such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale etc.), carrots and green tea.
Drink purified water with lime or lemon.
If you have the opportunity, we recommend drinking a glass of freshly pressed celery juice every morning.
Managing stress
Just as important as diet is taking care of any stress using various methods.
Reduce tasks, do relaxation exercises, allow time for recovery, spend time in nature, do yoga, get massages, listen to calming music.
Do things you enjoy that give you peace. If you experience a lot of anger, that also needs to be addressed.
Anger triggers rosacea and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine is linked to an overburdened liver.
Supplements as support
Here are tips on supplements that can support rosacea. But remember that supplements are a complement to a healthy diet.
Good gut bacteria / probiotics. Good strains are: Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus longum and Lactobacillus plantarum. Note that several probiotic strains can increase histamine production which can be a triggering factor for rosacea. Certain strains such as L. plantarum and L. longum can however help break down histamines. For possible SIBO and during antibiotic treatment, Saccharomyces boulardii or Spore Biotic is recommended until it is gone.
Evening primrose oil (GLA)
B-complex or only B3
Zinc
Vitamin C
Selenium (extra important if you have amalgam fillings)
Astaxanthin
MSM
Vitamin D
Liver support
Glutathione
Dandelion
Schisandra
Turmeric
Calcium D-Glucarate (for hormonal imbalance)
Herbs that counteract heavy metals
More herbs
For more information about how to take care of your liver, there are comprehensive guides available on liver health and detoxification.
What skincare can you use?
When it comes to skincare products, you should avoid makeup and creams with synthetic fragrances or perfume, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus and witch hazel.
Avoid peeling, clay masks, heavy makeup on the face, drying face masks or products containing acid as well as too much sun or heat.
Treat the skin with gentle products intended for sensitive skin and/or rosacea. The fewer but more natural products, the better.
Natural DIY skincare that works
Oatmeal
With its anti-inflammatory properties, oatmeal moisturizes and delivers nutrients that help soothe redness and itching in rosacea.
Mix gluten-free oatmeal with half as much water and spread over the face and irritated skin.
Let it work for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Dry the skin gently.
Green tea
Soak a face towel in green tea and place it on your face for 20-30 minutes. The nutrients cleanse and soothe your skin.
Raw honey
Raw honey is an excellent skin treatment. It protects against bacteria, acne and dryness.
Apply one or two tablespoons of honey, preferably raw, to your face for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Do this a couple of times a week.
Turmeric
Mix turmeric powder or crushed fresh turmeric with regular organic yogurt.
Apply and let the mixture work for 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. Do this often to get the most out of turmeric's antioxidant and cleansing effects.
Skincare suitable for rosacea
Here are some tips on gentle products that work well when you suffer from rosacea. Remember to choose natural products with as few synthetic/chemical additives as possible.
Cleansing
These are gentle, non-drying and moisturizing organic facial cleansers. They cleanse deeply without disturbing the skin's natural protective mechanism, which is important.
Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser
Odylique Silk Touch Cleanser
Face tonic
Feel free to add moisture in the form of a gentle face tonic. As a face tonic, anything that is astringent and not stimulating for rosacea works well. Rose water, geranium water, lavender water work well.
Akamuti Rose Water
Crearome Lavender Water
Crearome Geranium Water
Akamuti Tea Tree Water – for acne rosacea
Facial moisturizer
It is important to counteract dry skin with rosacea because dry skin becomes more easily irritated and can trigger the rosacea.
Rose has particularly soothing, balancing and regenerating properties.
Odylique Timeless Rose Moisturiser
Evolve Pro+ Ectoin Soothing Cream
Odylique Organic Ultra Rich Salve – great for exposed dry patches
Facial oil
Seal in moisture with an oil-based product. As an oil, blueberry oil is a fine choice for rosacea.
Odylique Superfruit oil/serum. – great as both serum, primer, over your face cream or as a night oil.
Apricot kernel oil
Jojoba oil
Carrot oil
Makeup
When you have rosacea, it can be difficult to find the right makeup.
Depending on which subtype you have, you might want something that can cover redness or blur texture, while being gentle enough not to make your sensitive skin more inflamed.
It is very important to use natural makeup that doesn't clog pores.
Corrective Primers & Concealers
To hide the red, you can use green. Why green?
Green is the opposite of red on the color wheel. So when you apply green over red on lighter skin tones, it neutralizes the redness.
If you have olive-toned skin, it's a bit trickier, you'll have to experiment.
For darker skin tones, apricot and orange usually work best to neutralize purple and dark brown discoloration that darker-skinned people experience.
Hiro Space Balms Concealers are organic and vegan-friendly. Apply the concealer to red areas that need to be evened out to match your own skin tone.
Mineral powders
Mineral powders are often popular for rosacea because they are pure products that you don't react to and are excellent at dampening redness in the skin.
They provide natural sun protection and cause less irritation than other types of foundation.
But if you have dry skin, you may need to mix the mineral powder with a cream or oil before applying.
HIRO mineral powders cover very well and provide sun protection which is important for rosacea. They contain 100% pure minerals and provide flawless coverage that lasts all day. Do not clog pores.
100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented foundation powders are more like a mix between pressed powder and a lighter foundation. They provide medium coverage, matte finish and are completely natural. They do not clog pores.
Lipstick
Many people with rosacea find that bold lipstick colors give energy, instead of just trying to hide the areas that feel less appealing.
For example, a warm pink, an orange-red or a dramatic plum color – anything that brightens! All the lipsticks we offer are natural and without harmful additives.
What simple tips do you have for someone with rosacea? Share them in a comment or write a question and we'll answer!
