How to Manage Rosacea Flare-Ups: Tips for Soothing Your Skin

Living with rosacea can be challenging, especially when flare-ups occur. If you suffer from this common skin condition, you may have experienced the frustration of sudden redness, visible blood vessels, or irritated bumps that seem to appear out of nowhere. Fortunately, there are effective ways to manage rosacea flare-ups and minimize their impact on your daily life.

What Causes Rosacea Flare-Ups?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like breakouts. Flare-ups can occur for various reasons, and while they vary from person to person, common triggers include:

• Sun exposure 🌞

• Hot or cold weather 🌡️

• Spicy foods or alcohol 🌶️🍷

• Stress and anxiety 😣

• Harsh skincare products 🧴

• Physical exertion or exercise 🏃‍♀️

• Hormonal changes ⚖️

Understanding what triggers your rosacea flare-ups can help you take preventative steps to avoid them.

Tips for Managing Rosacea Flare-Ups

1. Protect Your Skin from the Sun 🌞

Sun exposure is one of the most common triggers of rosacea flare-ups. Protecting your skin from UV rays is crucial to managing your condition. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Choose a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are gentle on sensitive skin and provide long-lasting protection.

Recommended Product: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 – This mineral sunscreen is perfect for rosacea-prone skin. It provides excellent protection against harmful UV rays with an SPF 50 while calming redness and inflammation. The green color-correcting tint helps neutralize skin tone, making it ideal for rosacea flare-ups. Enriched with Centella Asiatica and ceramides, it strengthens the skin's barrier to minimize sensitivity. This sunscreen ensures your skin stays protected, calm, and balanced throughout the day.

2. Use Gentle, Hydrating Skincare Products 💧

During a flare-up, it’s essential to stick to a gentle skincare routine. Harsh cleansers, scrubs, or toners can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse. Instead, use a hydrating cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin calm and balanced. Avoid products with alcohol, fragrance, or other potential irritants.

Recommended Product: Sente Ultra Nourish Hydrating Cream – This rich moisturizer helps restore hydration and repair the skin’s barrier, making it ideal for calming dry, irritated skin during a flare-up. The patented heparan sulfate analog provides excellent hydration and improves inflammation for patients with rosacea or sensitive skin. The lighter weight version (Dermal Repair Cream) has been endorsed by the National Rosacea Society as a product that is excellent for rosacea patients.

3. Avoid Actives During a Flare & Hydrate 💧

During a rosacea flare, it's essential to avoid using strong active ingredients (like retinoids, AHAs, or BHAs) as they can further irritate sensitive skin. Instead, focus on soothing, hydrating products to calm inflammation and help restore the skin barrier. A zinc oxide occlusive treatment or slugging with a gentle, hydrating ointment can help lock in moisture and provide a protective barrier, reducing redness and irritation. We recommend Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream as a great product to apply over your regular moisturizer, like SENTÉ Dermal Repair Ultra-Nourish, to boost skin repair and enhance hydration. By opting for these calming strategies, you’ll help your skin recover and stay nourished during flare-ups.

4. Cool Your Skin ❄️

When you feel a flare-up coming on, it’s important to cool your skin to reduce redness and inflammation. You can try applying a cool compress or ice pack wrapped in a clean towel to the affected area for 10-15 minutes. Just be sure not to apply ice directly to your skin to avoid cold-induced damage.

5. Avoid Hot Showers and Steam 🚿

While hot showers can feel relaxing, they can also exacerbate rosacea symptoms by increasing blood flow to the skin and triggering a flare-up. Opt for lukewarm water instead, and avoid hot steam rooms or saunas, which can further irritate the skin.

6. Identify and Avoid Your Triggers 🔍

One of the best ways to prevent rosacea flare-ups is to identify and avoid your personal triggers. Keep a skin diary to track what you eat, drink, and do each day, as well as any symptoms you experience. By pinpointing what sets off your rosacea, you can take steps to minimize exposure to those triggers.

7. Reduce Stress 🧘‍♀️

Stress is a significant trigger for many people with rosacea. Incorporating stress-reducing activities into your daily routine, such as meditation, yoga, or simply taking time to relax, can help reduce flare-ups. Managing stress will not only benefit your skin but also improve your overall well-being.

8. Consider Gentle Exfoliation ✨

While you should avoid harsh exfoliating products, gentle exfoliation can help improve skin texture and reduce bumps associated with rosacea. Opt for mild, enzymatic exfoliators or products with lactic acid that won’t irritate the skin. Sente Even Retinol is a gentle, hydrating retinol that can help improve skin tone and texture without causing irritation.

9. Seek Professional Treatment Options 💉

In some cases, at-home treatments might not be enough to manage rosacea. If you’re struggling with persistent flare-ups, it may be time to consult a dermatologist for additional treatments. At Pacific Crest Dermatology, we offer several treatments to help manage rosacea symptoms, including:

• Topical medications (like metronidazole or azelaic acid) for reducing redness and irritation

• Oral antibiotics (like doxycycline) for more severe flare-ups

• Laser treatments, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) to target visible blood vessels and reduce redness

  
  

When to See a Dermatologist

If your rosacea is affecting your daily life or if your flare-ups aren’t responding to home treatments, it’s important to seek professional help. A dermatologist can help you:

• Identify the most effective treatment options for your type of rosacea

• Prescribe medications to control flare-ups

• Provide advanced treatments like laser therapy or light treatments to reduce redness and visible blood vessels

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Rosacea

With the right approach, you can minimize your symptoms and keep your skin calm and comfortable. From protecting your skin from the sun to using the right skincare products and identifying triggers, small changes can make a big difference.

At Pacific Crest Dermatology, we’re here to help you navigate your rosacea journey. If you need personalized advice or treatments to control flare-ups, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule a consultation.