Have you found the right skincare routine for your rosacea? Even if you’re already treating it, you can improve your treatment results, make your skin feel more comfortable, reduce flare-ups, and enhance your skin health by using a rosacea-friendly skincare routine. Here are some tips from dermatologists on how to do that.
- Gently cleanse your skin. When you wake up and before you go to bed, wash your face. Sometimes people with rosacea are hesitant to wash their faces because the skin feels tender. However, washing twice a day can remove the dirt and oil that irritate your skin. First, wash with a mild cleanser, applying it with your fingertips in a circular motion. Next, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, again with only your fingertips. Don’t leave any cleanser on your skin because it can cause further irritation. Finally, gently pat your face dry, using a clean, cotton towel.
- Always moisturize. You may not think you need moisturizer if your skin is oily, but you still do. Moisturizing every day traps water in your skin and helps keep it hydrated. Not only can moisturizing reduce irritation, but using a rosacea-friendly moisturizer can also improve your treatment results.
- Use sunscreen all year. Sun exposure is actually one of the most common causes of rosacea flare-ups, even for people with darker skin tones. That’s why dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy. Choose broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher in a fragrance-free formula. Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and silicone are all ingredients that are not likely to irritate sensitive skin.
- Choose products made for your skin. Rosacea-friendly skincare products are out there, but you have to look carefully at the labels to find them. Avoid products that contain alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium laurel sulfate, or urea. Always choose fragrance-free products rather than unscented, choose creams over lotions or gels, and never use astringents or toners.
- Test skincare before using it on your face. Whenever you’re trying a new product, test it before applying it to your face. You can do this by dabbing a little bit near your rosacea-prone skin. If you experience burning, stinging, or other signs of irritation within 72 hours, it’s not the right product for you.
- Be gentle. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing because that can irritate your skin and make your rosacea worse. Likewise, don’t exfoliate or use washcloths or facial sponges.
If you’re having trouble finding products for your rosacea-prone skin, consult a dermatologist for recommendations. When you need expert advice and help caring for your skin, contact Arlington Dermatology. For over 40 years, our Board-Certified dermatologists have been serving patients, making the health and welfare of our patients our top priority. We offer innovative treatment methods using state-of-the-art medical equipment in our conveniently located, patient-friendly facility in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Contact us or call 847-392-5440.