If you have rosacea, one thing that you are well aware of is how easily your rosacea can flare up. When it comes down to it, although you can’t control certain causes for outbreaks like the weather… or even stress (let’s face it we all go through a little bit of stress), you can control how you take care of your skin!
When it comes to skincare for rosacea, it’s important to KISS (keep it simple silly). Here is what Dr. Shehla Ebrahim recommends for your simple, go-to routine!
1. Use a gentle cleanser:
We know it can be hard to shy away from pretty packaging and “fresh” ingredients like expensive extracts with citrusy scents, but remember, when it comes to keeping your rosacea soothed, a simple cleanser is all you need. So as much as your favourite Tiktoker may be talking about an expensive exfoliating cleanser with grapefruit extract, something as simple as Cetaphil will be your best friend to gently cleanse and soothe the skin!
2. Invest in a physical sunscreen
For many suffering from rosacea, the sun can be a huge trigger! With that said, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim understands that you can’t hide from the sun forever. Yes, you can do your best to stay covered and protected, but you deserve relaxing summer days by the pool too!
Investing in quality physical sunblock is a great option for limiting sun-induced flare-ups. Unlike chemical sunscreens that block out UV rays, physical sunscreens block out all light, heat and UV rays from the skin for optimal protection, and act as a shield to the skin.
For many suffering from rosacea, the sun can be a huge trigger! With that said, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim understands that you can’t hide from the sun forever. Yes, you can do your best to stay covered and protected, but you deserve relaxing summer days by the pool too!
Investing in quality physical sunblock is a great option for limiting sun-induced flare-ups. Unlike chemical sunscreens that block out UV rays, physical sunscreens block out all light, heat and UV rays from the skin for optimal protection, and act as a shield to the skin.
Again, cosmetic companies love to sell products with strong fragrances, coconut being a popular one for sunscreens, but an unscented SPF from a simple brand like Cereva will serve your skin much better!
While roaming the SPF aisle, look for SPF 30+, and remember to reapply every 2-3 hours. Just like anything good, it doesn’t last forever!
3. Moisture, moisture, moisture!
If you suffer from rosacea, you fall into the category of sensitive skin, which means you need to ensure you are both soothing the skin and keeping it hydrated. A good moisturizer will protect and prevent water from leaving the epidermis of the skin, which results in dehydration, irritation and dryness. Again, Cereve and Cetaphil are great options to apply day and night, to keep your skin from losing its well-needed hydration!’
Bonus tip:
Stay away from trendy anti-ageing serums. If you suffer from rosacea, popular anti-ageing serums like retinol and vitamin C are too harsh for your sensitive skin and will lead to flare-ups. If you are keen on introducing retinol into your skincare routine, speak to your skin care physician to identify which percentage of retinol is safe for your skin type.
Takeaways
Rosacea and sensitive skin go hand and hand, which means simple skincare products are a must! Focusing on cleansing, applying SPF and moisturizer daily will help prevent flare-ups and improve your skin’s overall health.
If you are experiencing any signs of rosacea, and are seeking a diagnosis, we invite you to book a consultation with Dr. Shehla Ebrhaim HERE. If you are in the Vancouver area, you can also call 236-878-7002 for an in-person consultation.
Finally, if you are interested in learning more about Rosacea, we invited you to listen to this where Spice Podcast interviewed Dr. Shehla Ebrahim on all things rosacea!