Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. It can develop at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 30. Rosacea affects women at higher rates than men but men who develop it tend to have more severe symptoms.

Persistent redness is the most common symptom of rosacea, typically appearing on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. At first, the redness may come and go but it tends to become more persistent over time. Many people with rosacea also develop visible blood vessels, acne-like bumps, eye irritation, and burning or stinging sensations.

While the underlying cause of rosacea remains unknown and there is no definitive cure, it’s a manageable condition. As a complement to medical treatment, making adjustments to your skincare routine could help you identify triggers and avoid them in the future.

Rosacea can make your skin sensitive and more prone to irritation. Fortunately, many people with rosacea are able to alleviate redness and soothe sensitivity by avoiding the things that trigger flare-ups.

If you haven’t already identified your personal triggers for rosacea, consider keeping a log of your symptoms. Make notes of what you ate, drank, or did preceding the flare-up. Over time, you’ll get a sense for how your habits affect your skin and you can be more intentional about avoiding the things that tend to worsen your rosacea.

Here are some of the most common rosacea triggers:

1. Sun exposure

One of the most commonly reported triggers for rosacea symptoms, sun exposure can cause flare-ups any time of year—not just during the summer time. The sun’s UV rays combined with the heat they produce can damage sensitive skin, dilate the blood vessels, and trigger inflammation which leads to redness.

How to Avoid It: Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every 2 hours during periods of exposure. It’s also wise to seek shade, when possible, and wear protective gear like wide-brimmed hats.

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2. Stress

Whether you have rosacea or not, stress can be a trigger for skin problems. It increases inflammation and affects the blood vessels in your face, leading to redness, irritation, and other symptoms of rosacea.

How to Avoid It: You can’t completely avoid stress (wouldn’t that be nice?) but you can learn some tricks to manage it. Experiment with different breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or gentle exercises to see what works for you.

3. Extreme temperatures

Hot weather is a common trigger for rosacea, but any kind of extreme weather can be irritating for sensitive skin. Beyond high outdoor temperatures, indoor environments like saunas, steam rooms, and even hot showers can be triggering. Cold and windy conditions can be as well.

How to Avoid It: If you’re going to be exposed to harsh outdoor conditions, make sure you’re wearing the proper protective gear. Inside, you can protect your skin by taking warm baths and showers (not hot), or simply limiting your exposure by sticking to a 10-minute time limit.

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4. Physical exercise

Exercise raises your heart rate and your body temperature, which means there’s more blood flowing to your face. This rosacea trigger is particularly tricky because regular exercise helps relieve stress but too much of it, or exercising at a high level of intensity, could cause a flare-up.

How to Avoid It: To minimize the risk of a flare-up caused by exercise, consider sticking to low- or moderate-intensity workouts. You can also try exercising in cooler environments so your body is less prone to overheating.

5. Certain foods

Spicy foods are a common trigger for rosacea, but it may depend on your tolerance level. Some people experience flare-ups with hot drinks like coffee or tea—the caffeine content can also be problematic for some. Other foods that might trigger flare-ups include dairy products, refined carbohydrates, and sugary foods and drinks.

How to Avoid It: Try keeping a food journal for 2 weeks to identify your individual triggers. Generally speaking, a diet built around whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce is better for your skin than one packed with fat, sugar, and starch.

6. Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can cause your blood vessels to expand, which may contribute to redness. Red wine is a common culprit, though other types of alcohol can cause facial flushing as well.

How to Avoid It: Limit your intake of alcohol or avoid it entirely. The alcoholic drinks with the highest risk for triggering rosacea flare-ups include red wine, white wine, beer, and champagne.

7. Some medications

Certain medications can worsen rosacea or trigger flare-ups, namely vasodilators which work by widening the blood vessels. Other drugs that may increase facial blood flow and cause redness include topical steroids and vitamin supplements like vitamin B3.

How to Avoid It: Talk to your doctor to determine whether a dosage adjustment or switching to another medication might resolve the issue.

In addition to avoiding things that trigger flare-ups, building a healthy skincare routine is crucial for managing rosacea. Taking better care of your skin can not only provide relief from irritation and sensitivity, but healthy skin tends to respond better to rosacea treatment.

Here are some strategies to include in a skincare routine for rosacea-prone skin:

• Prioritize gentle cleansing. Accumulated oil and dirt can worsen irritation, so cleanse your face twice daily (morning and night). Use a mild cleanser that’s safe for sensitive skin (like CLn Dermatologics Facial Cleanser) and rinse well with warm water.
• Choose fragrance-free products. Strong fragrances (both natural and synthetic) can trigger irritation and rosacea flare-ups, so play it safe by choosing fragrance-free skincare products as much as possible.
• Avoid harsh ingredients. Besides fragrances, avoid skincare products that contain alcohol or other strong astringents; harsh exfoliants like glycolic or lactic acids; cooling ingredients like menthol or camphor; and chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone.
• Medicate before moisturizing. If you’re using topical medication to treat your rosacea, apply it after cleansing and before moisturizing. Choose a moisturizer that delivers immediate hydration and promotes skin barrier repair to prevent moisture loss. Try Derma Made Nia-Genic Lotion, infused with 2% niacinamide to reduce redness.
• Never skip sun protection. Sun exposure can trigger rosacea symptoms any time of year, so make sun protection part of your daily routine. Opt for mineral sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection SPF 30 or higher.

NOTE: Whether you’re adjusting an existing skincare routine or starting from scratch, don’t make too many changes at once. Always patch test new products to make sure they’re a good fit for your skin and incorporate them gradually into your regimen.

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